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New Material Stretches While Conducting Electricity
Posted by Mark Wilson at 11:18 PM on August 8, 2008
Japanese researchers have developed a new material capable of stretching to roughly twice its natural shape while conducting electricity—before snapping back with no damage to the circuit. It's essentially a rubber polymer filled with carbon nanotubes, and it could be used to create anything from a curved eye-replacement camera (which is currently in development) to a new class of NERF footballs. So are you thinking what we're thinking? Yes, bring on the prank Silly Putty. And who's the sicko pasting T1000 shots on my friendly post? [Reuters via Newlaunches]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Speter
Posted August 11, 2008 1:37 PM
Clothes that stretch as you walk but build up charge and shock you in the balls when you get tired behind the wheel. or charge your Izune whatevea "mc" gimmick of the day
or maybe car tyres that as they stretch/warp due to the cars weight as the tyre rotates; this way they are powering the cars roof mounted random pedestrian tasering system, without draining any power from the inseat vibrator (for females) or beer cooler (for males).
Boxing Gloves that are powered by punches and store charge for electrocuting the ref when he holds up your winning hand.
the possibilities are endless. Rubber clubs for seal hunting that generate and store enough charge to zap hippies protesting.
Rubber cell phone towers that look like trees and sway in the breeze and charge the leave to zap any seagulls or politicians.
or it could be used for good of some sort..
novacthall
Posted 11:56 PM 8/8/08
Do we expect to see a male counterpart to Sega's E.M.A, now that the technology exists to make him... functional?
novacthall
ANoel
Posted 11:45 PM 8/8/08
This is just a synthetic ripoff of the original corpora cavernosa... hold it... just one minute... YES!... robot penises !
ANoel
Hectorvex
Posted 11:43 PM 8/8/08
Sweet, finally a material strong enough to make me a good fitting condom...
Hectorvex
bucklefilledbird
Posted 11:37 PM 8/8/08
NERF footballs + rubber polymer carbon nanotubes = Some completely awesome idea that I can't quite come up with this morning until I have my coffee
bucklefilledbird
yuri_ha
Posted 12:25 AM 9/8/08
I'm thinking in Batman's cape ( remember? from Batman Begins)
yuri_ha
raleel
Posted 12:21 AM 9/8/08
I was thinking this would be really handy in japan for earthquake infrastructure. No more snapping power lines without something very serious going on.
raleel
Canthros
Posted 12:20 AM 9/8/08
@bucklefilledbird: Nerf tasers!
Canthros
TerryinSt.Paul
Posted 12:17 AM 9/8/08
How about a "universal" battery for everything from this laptop to a flashlight to a camera. Right now I bet I have at least a dozen different types and sizes of batteries.
TerryinSt.Paul
Log1c
Posted 12:16 AM 9/8/08
@bucklefilledbird: Lighted footballs!
Log1c
jaydez
Posted 2:38 AM 9/8/08
This would make power lines the ultimate sling-shot!!!!
jaydez
DeusExMach
Posted 3:16 AM 9/8/08
@raleel: Also good for when Godzilla attacks...
DeusExMach
ilves
Posted 3:47 AM 9/8/08
Another reason to be afraid of electronics during thunder storms....
Get punched out by a circuit board.
ilves
Murph1908
Posted 6:07 AM 9/8/08
a curved eye-replacement camera (which is currently in development)
That almost makes me want to lose an eye.
Murph1908
VeracityInexcusable
Posted 8:46 AM 9/8/08
@bucklefilledbird:
Just wanted to say , I wonder if you would be able to power anything with it easily?
VeracityInexcusable
rifa
Posted 5:23 PM 9/8/08
@ANoel: Forget Robot penises...how about a decent alternative to the fleshlight?
rifa
lefonceobscure
Posted 10:49 PM 11/8/08
@Hectorvex: Just stop wearing them on your head
lefonceobscure