Here is an army report on the material from jul 87 - probably on the drawing boards a few years before that no - all the silly people in the dark - the things going on behind closed doors. Perhaps the writers of star trek were tipped off by some geek in the army to the idea.
stormingmedia.us
Authors: Normand D. Corbin; ARMY LAB COMMAND WATERTOWN MA MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY LAB
Abstract: Aluminum oxynitride spinel (ALON) is a relatively new ceramic that can be processed into fully dense transparent material. There are a variety of applications where this material could replace alumina, especially where optical transparency and strength are important. This report reviews the current status of this material, including phase equilibria, processing, and properties.
Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Final rept.
Pages: 21
Report Date: JUL 87
Report number: A357481
dmse.mit.edu
Norman D. Corbin materials science MIT guy - 1982 graduate - goes to work for the army and has transparent aluminum by 1987.
patft.uspto.gov
United States Patent 4,520,116
Gentilman , et al. May 28, 1985
References Cited [Referenced By]
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U.S. Patent Documents
2745763 May., 1956 Velitz 501/98.
3261667 Jul., 1966 O'Connor 423/412.
3274009 Sep., 1966 Foster 501/98.
3711585 Jan., 1973 Muta et al. 501/152.
4146379 Mar., 1979 Copley et al. 501/904.
4147759 Apr., 1979 Demit 501/97.
4166831 Sep., 1979 Rhodes et al. 501/152.
4184884 Jan., 1980 Jong 501/98.
4222978 Sep., 1980 Oda et al. 264/65.
4241000 Dec., 1980 McCauley et al. 264/65.
4481300 Nov., 1984 Hartnett et al. 501/98.
Foreign Patent Documents
55-126575 Sep., 1980 JP 501/98.
1188011 Apr., 1970 GB.
This stuff goes way back - hehe. |
