Starlite
Encyclopedia
Starlite is a material claimed to be able to withstand and insulate from extremes of heat.
Starlite was invented by amateur chemist (and former hairdresser) Maurice Ward
during the 1970s and 1980s, and received a large amount of publicity in 1993 thanks to Tomorrow's World
. Maurice Ward died in May 2011.
Ward's granddaughter came up with the name Starlite.
and BBC Radio 4
showed that Starlite could keep an egg cold even under 5 minutes of blowtorch attack, and would also prevent a blowtorch from damaging a human hand. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4nnLP--uTI)
and ICI
to conduct tests on samples, but he has not allowed them to retain samples for fear of reverse-engineering. With additional demands of 51% profits from commercialization, which may have hindered Starlite's takeup.
Though Ward has claimed discussions with various organizations such as NASA
, as of May 2009 there appears to have been no commercialization of Starlite. Tests have shown that Ward's discovery could revolutionize many areas such as defense, space exploration, personal safety and aviation.
Starlite was invented by amateur chemist (and former hairdresser) Maurice Ward
Maurice Ward
Maurice Ward was an English inventor best known for Starlite, a thermal shielding material. He was a former hairdresser from Yorkshire, England. His demand that he keep 51% ownership of the formula for Starlite, and belief that the technology was worth billions of dollars, stunted the commercial...
during the 1970s and 1980s, and received a large amount of publicity in 1993 thanks to Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
. Maurice Ward died in May 2011.
Ward's granddaughter came up with the name Starlite.
Properties
Under tests Starlite withstands attack by a laser beam producing a temperature of 10,000 degrees Celsius. Live demonstrations on Tomorrow's WorldTomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
and BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
showed that Starlite could keep an egg cold even under 5 minutes of blowtorch attack, and would also prevent a blowtorch from damaging a human hand. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4nnLP--uTI)
Commercialization
Ward has allowed various organizations such as the Atomic Weapons EstablishmentAtomic Weapons Establishment
The Atomic Weapons Establishment is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of warheads for the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent. AWE plc is responsible for the day-to-day operations of AWE...
and ICI
Imperial Chemical Industries
Imperial Chemical Industries was a British chemical company, taken over by AkzoNobel, a Dutch conglomerate, one of the largest chemical producers in the world. In its heyday, ICI was the largest manufacturing company in the British Empire, and commonly regarded as a "bellwether of the British...
to conduct tests on samples, but he has not allowed them to retain samples for fear of reverse-engineering. With additional demands of 51% profits from commercialization, which may have hindered Starlite's takeup.
Though Ward has claimed discussions with various organizations such as NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, as of May 2009 there appears to have been no commercialization of Starlite. Tests have shown that Ward's discovery could revolutionize many areas such as defense, space exploration, personal safety and aviation.