A new spin on an old experiment

Everyone played with cornstarch and water at some point in their life. For me it was one of those science experiments designed to appeal to the kinesthetic learners (read: ADD/me). By mixing the two together, one could make a quicksand-like substance. If you've never done it, it's a lot of fun, so go do it right now. No, seriously. Go now.

Now that you're back: when I did this experiment, I remember hypothesizing a sort of active armor plating for people or vehicles that allowed for drastically increased flexiblity over traditional plate-based armor utilizing the substance's variable viscosity. While you can dip a finger slowly into it, pour it like a liquid, etc., if you poke it quickly with the same finger it's hard as rock. If you drop it, it will shatter, then flow back into what looks like a liquid. It turns out that I was brilliant and simply lacking in venture capital.

Anyway, this video puts a new spin on that old experiment. Note that it has absolutely nothing to do with my flexible armor idea. It's still really cool. Take a look and be amazed, particularly by the last experiment demonstrated.

Via boingboing.

Raul out.