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bredlo · 07-02-2004, 05:34 PM

Here's the concept:
Instead of decorating the inside of your Airstream, or painting it, or even bothering with pesky curtains, how about coating the walls, floor, ceiling and even windows with a new electronic material that would show you exactly what's on the other side... the walls disappear, and you get to camp in privacy, feeling like you're completely outside. You could see everything, in every direction, as it happens - but no one can see in.

I thought of it after seeing an amazing new invention, essentially an invisible cloak. The material is made of thousands of tiny beads that show video signals from video cameras on the opposite side of the cloak. Here's a pic:

Here's a video - you have to watch it a couple times, remember this guy is standing in front of a television, nothing is being projected on him.

http://projects.star.t.u-tokyo.ac.j...es/oc-wired.mpg

So imagine pulling up to a campsite, jumping in bed, flipping a switch, and falling asleep completely protected, underneath a canopy of trees and the night sky.

BobbyW · 07-02-2004, 05:45 PM

This technology was inspired from the "Predator" movie.

Our own military is investing heavily in the development of similar technology to create invisible soldiers after some General saw a proof of concept based on the movie.

dscluchfc · 07-02-2004, 11:16 PM

Transparent Aluminim is available in the 24th Century according to Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk.
Those that live in transparent aluminum Airstreams should change clothes and shower after dark...

Tin Hut · 07-03-2004, 08:10 AM

If I put that stuff on my wife, (Mrs. Tin Hut) would she become transparent? Where do you get it?

Mrs Tin Hut

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

Transparent Aluminim is available in the 24th Century according to Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk.
Those that live in transparent aluminum Airstreams should change clothes and shower after dark...

Silvertwinky · 07-03-2004, 11:20 AM

Sounds like a neat idea but I think it would present some other type of problems.

I seen some mirror film covering for windows at a glass shop once and I asked about selling it to me. It looked like aluminum from the outside what a perfect match I thought. However, I was told that he wouldn't sell it to me because it was against the law to put that on the windows.

Just food for thought!

bredlo · 07-03-2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tin Hut

If I put that stuff on my wife, (Mrs. Tin Hut) would she become transparent? Where do you get it?

Should work like a charm.

Artist's rendition:

markdoane · 07-03-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

Transparent Aluminim is available in the 24th Century according to Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk.
Those that live in transparent aluminum Airstreams should change clothes and shower after dark...

They were a little late for the party. McCoy and Scotty gave out the formula in the 23rd century.

McCoy: You realize that by giving him the formula you're altering history.
Scotty: Why, how do we know he didn't invent the thing?

JohnG · 07-03-2004, 12:58 PM

No Thanks, I have to pass

wahoonc · 07-03-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinky

Sounds like a neat idea but I think it would present some other type of problems.

I seen some mirror film covering for windows at a glass shop once and I asked about selling it to me. It looked like aluminum from the outside what a perfect match I thought. However, I was told that he wouldn't sell it to me because it was against the law to put that on the windows.

Just food for thought!

It is available...my unit has it on several windows...silver tint that is. But it makes is a pain to look outside at night. We use a silver bubble material in our windows during the heat of the day to help keep the temp down. Especially in the Vista Views.

Aaron

markdoane · 10-27-2005, 06:47 AM

Now you can have your see-through Airstream be bullet-proof, as well.

The Air Force is testing transparent aluminum for cockpit windows and Humvees. I wonder how soon it will be avaliable to the general public?

Aluminum oxynitride currently costs about $10-$15 per square inch. It is capable of resisting a 50 cal round from a Browning sniper rifle.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123012131

Westfalia · 10-27-2005, 07:12 AM

Wow, that is quite amazing. I wonder how long it will take to make this cheep enough to spin this off to the civilian sector?

Warp 2, Mr. Scott!

bake315 · 10-27-2005, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscluchfc

Transparent Aluminim is available in the 24th Century according to Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk.
Those that live in transparent aluminum Airstreams should change clothes and shower after dark...

I don't know if Dr. Spock knew much of anything about transparent aluminum; however, I understand he was quite an authority on child rearing!

I believe Mr. Scott was knowledgeable about it - though I hear he's not answering his phone these days.

I suppose one could do the time travel bit to go back and ask, though.

markdoane · 10-27-2005, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coriolis1

I don't know if Dr. Spock knew much of anything about transparent aluminum. . . .

True. In the movie, it was Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott who knew (and disclosed) everything about transparent aluminum. He was accompanied by Dr. McCoy. Spock was not there.

Over59 · 10-27-2005, 09:54 AM

And this is the stuff they tell us about. Imagine the stuff they hide.

bake315 · 10-27-2005, 09:58 AM

Yeah. For example, I'd be interested to know the current conversion rate of a Quatloo.

ALANSD · 10-27-2005, 10:00 AM

no one read my earlier post in this thread...oh yeah--- it was invisible. sorry.

startrekker2001 · 10-27-2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coriolis1

Yeah. For example, I'd be interested to know the current conversion rate of a Quatloo.

At last check, it was 1000 Quatloo to one gold pressed latnum.

Oh, and BTW, you do realize that the coriolis force is really an apparent force. It is more of an effect caused by the earth turning under whatever is being transported through the air. However, without it, hurricanes would not form.

bake315 · 10-27-2005, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by startrekker2001

At last check, it was 1000 Quatloo to one gold pressed latnum.

Ah, that's right... I would have known that had my currency conversion quick reference not recently slipped out of my Ferengi Rules of Acquisition handbook.

Quote:

Originally Posted by startrekker2001

Oh, and BTW, you do realize that the coriolis force is really an apparent force. It is more of an effect caused by the earth turning under whatever is being transported through the air. However, without it, hurricanes would not form.

Yes, indeed, and it's not unlike the Arrakeen variety, whose storms can reach maximum sustained winds of up to 435 mph, and is upon what my ID was originally based.

CanoeStream · 10-27-2005, 05:09 PM

Vic -- I don't know why I ever got rid of my 1970's dome house book. Your post reminded me of a quote in there about domes being better for the world because the square corners of standard houses cause more friction with the air and slow down the earth's rotation. I just knew there was something more to having an Airstream than being a millionaire!

Looking at bredlo's pictures from a year ago I got close to the screen -- the cowboy hat still smells like milk of magnesia and talcum powder!