Starlite

For the NASA-themed MMO Game, see Starlite (video game).

Starlite is a material claimed to be able to withstand and insulate from extreme heat. It was invented by amateur chemist Maurice Ward (1933–2011) during the 1970s and 1980s, and received much publicity in 1993 thanks to coverage on the science and technology show Tomorrow's World. The name Starlite was coined by Ward's granddaughter Kimberly.

Despite interest from NASA and other major technological companies, Ward never revealed the composition of Starlite, which is still unknown. Ward once mentioned that his close family knows the fabrication process, but after his death neither his wife nor any of his four daughters have produced any sample to demonstrate that they know the process.

Properties

Under tests, Starlite was claimed to be able to withstand attack by a laser beam that could produce a temperature of 10,000 degrees Celsius (Starlite may have reflected part of the beam, however, which would have lowered the temperature). Live demonstrations on Tomorrow's World and BBC Radio 4 showed that Starlite could keep an egg (coated in the material) raw, and cold enough to be picked up with a bare hand, even after five minutes of blowtorch attack. It would also prevent a blowtorch from damaging a human hand.[1]

Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence Sir Ronald Mason noted "Maurice sometimes speaks scientific cobblers, but this is really the most remarkable material".[2]

Materials scientist Mark Miodownik described Starlite as one of the materials he would most like to see for himself.[3]

Commercialisation

Ward allowed various organisations such as the Atomic Weapons Establishment and ICI to conduct tests on samples, but did not permit them to retain samples for fear of reverse engineering. Ward maintained that his invention was worth billions and he insisted he retain 51% ownership of the formula - a move that may have hindered Starlite's commercialisation.

Although Ward claimed discussions with various organisations such as NASA, he was very protective of the composition for fear of losing control of the rights to the material (not even letting samples out of his sight). By the time of his death in May 2011, there appeared to have been no commercialisation of Starlite, and the formulation of the material has not been released to the public. Apparently Ward only revealed the composition of the material to his family.

Composition

Starlite's composition is a closely guarded secret, but it is said to contain a variety of (organic) polymers and co-polymers with both organic and inorganic additives, including borates and small quantities of ceramics and other special barrier ingredients — up to 21 in all. Perhaps uniquely for a material claimed to be thermal and blast-proof, it is claimed to be not wholly inorganic but up to 90 percent organic.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Maurice on Tomorrow's World". YouTube. March 29, 2009
  2. ↑ The Guardian, "Soundbites", 12 Apr 1993
  3. ↑ Richard Fisher "The power of cool: Whatever became of Starlite?" New Scientist 16 May 2012
  4. ↑ George, Rose (Apr 15, 2009). "Starlite, the nuclear blast-defying plastic that could change the world". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved June 11, 2011.

External links

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