Scientists develop chain mail fabric that can stiffen on demand

Scientists have developed a new type of 'chain mail' fabric that is flexible like cloth but can stiffen on demand. The lightweight fabric is 3D-printed from nylon plastic polymers and comprises hollow octahedrons (a shape with eight equal triangular faces) that interlock with each other. When encased in a plastic envelope and vacuum-packed, it becomes 25 times more rigid and can hold up over 50 times its own weight.

from Top Technology News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37EPveG