(Credit:
University of Leeds)
Engineers in England have come up with a product to save a few bob for those who work in semi-dangerous occupations--cement body armor.
The vests combine "super strong" cement with recycled carbon fiber, making the vests tough enough to withstand most bullet calibers, according to researchers at the University of Leeds' School of Civil Engineering.
Currently, top-of-the-line bulletproof vests are made with alumina plates--the raw material used to make aluminum--through a costly process called sintering, which involves heating the material for up to two weeks at 1600 degrees Celsius to harden it.
The cement vest, on the other hand, would offer a cost-effective level of protection for people in semi-risky occupations short of full-on combat.
"By using cement instead of alumina we are confident we can deliver a cost-effective level of protection for many people at risk," said research team leader Philip Purnell. "It should be good enough for people like security guards, reporters, and aid workers who are worried about the odd pot shot being taken at them."
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(Credit:
A0A)
Here's a must-have accessory for any soiree off Somalia, the ArmourFloat personal flotation device.
Not only does the Armour Float Ballistic Vest keep even an unconscious wearer afloat, but its new lightweight, hard-plate armor is designed to defeat most assault rifle threats--with no negative effect on the vest's buoyancy, according to Armour of America, a division of Arotech Corporation.
This Underwriters Laboratory-certified PFD is approved by the US Coast Guard, and the Coasties use it as well, according to AoA.
The hardy preserver comes with reflective tape on the shoulders, an emergency strobe light pocket, ammo clip pockets, shotgun shell holders, a large overlapping front, and side panels that provide ballistic protection over the entire chest, back, and shoulders. It's listed as up to NIJ Level IIIA.
"Commercial ship liner sailors are now exposed to hazards similar to Navy sailors, and our ArmourFloat vests can help protect their lives," says AoA's Richard Karst.
Here's one endorsement deal that has Capt. Richard Phillips written all over it.
(Credit:
Crave UK)
Modern games not immersive enough for you? You might want to consider getting the 3rd Space FPS Gaming Vest, which promises to blast you into the action in ways you might never have imagined. Sort of.
Here's how it works: You strap on the vest, connect it to your PC via USB, and to a compressor unit via an air tube. Fire up a compatible game (Call of Duty 2 is bundled), get shot, and the drivers will send a message to the compressor to fire a blast of air down the tube, and into a set of air bags inside the vest. The effect is supposed to be akin to getting shot.
In truth, it's nothing like getting shot--trust us, we work in South East London, so we know. There's no incredible shocking impact, no feeling like a bomb's just gone off in your chest, and no blood spurts. It's more like being gently prodded. Plus, if you get prodded loads of times in a row, the compressor runs out of air and has to refill itself.
Having said that, it does add a degree of involvement, like a much bigger version of the vibrating controller. We're not sure whether it's worth the money149 pounds (about $297), but if you've got the cash and you want to take your games to the next level, head over to IWantOneOfThose.com and get involved. But don't forget to check our photos first.
(Source: Crave UK)
(Credit:
TMgames)
Gadget thrill-seekers have a choice: They can either subject themselves to electrode torture as our colleague Michael Kanellos gleefully does at every opportunity, or they can try something like the virtual-reality "FPS Vest" instead.
There's good news if you should choose the latter because TMgames, which was only taking pre-orders last fall, is now selling the vest as part of a package that includes Call of Duty and 3rd Space Incursion bundled with it, according to Gadget Review. The force-feedback game vest, which was initially developed by a physician for medical research, has eight zones that supposedly simulate the sensations of gunshots, explosions, and "fear-inducing finger taps."
But don't expect too much. It probably doesn't approach the shock and awe of the Nerf Wii Blaster.
(Thanks for the tip, Christen)
(Credit:
Hammacher Schlemmer)
Sure, you can get vests that play your music, but what will you do in an emergency situation? That's when you may wish you had what Hammacher Schlemmer calls "The Only Two-Way Radio Life Vest."
The Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device comes with two (count 'em) 14-channel two-way radios--"one integrated into the chest of the life vest and another for use on a boat or on shore, allowing instant communication from water skier to boat or ship to shore from up to 1.8 miles away." They also have large buttons and LCDs "for ease of use," which is probably a good thing if you're floating helplessly in a large body of water.
Crave sincerely hopes that you never need this vest in a life-threatening circumstance, but if you're the adventurous sort, it goes for $130. We'll stick watching reruns of Lost.
(Credit:
WowZzers.com)
How many gadgets can you lug around while exercising? On one extreme, there are lightweight straps like the skull music headband, but we know you need more than that--the true gadget freak needs something like the "Soundwalk MP3 Player Audio Vest."
The vest claims to go a step beyond other products that simply provide secure pockets, featuring "hands-free functionality" for such controls as toggling from cell phone to media player. (The product literature doesn't explain exactly sure how this works, however.)
GeekSugar isn't thrilled about its value as a fashion accessory , but we still think it's better than "The Bro."
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