Here's What Kevlar and Your Smartphone Have in Common

TL;DR

Revolutionary chemist Stephanie Kwolek discovers liquid crystals, leading to the development of bulletproof vests and LCD screens.

Transcript

[♪ INTRO] A smartphone is not designed to stop a bullet. And to be fair, a Kevlar vest makes a pretty bad touch screen. But both rely on the same type of material to do their jobs: liquid crystals. And these revolutionary materials might never have seen the light of day without their discoverer, Stephanie Kwolek, intervening on their behalf. Kwole... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Stephanie Kwolek's discovery of aramid molecules led to the development of Kevlar, a material with high tensile strength used in bulletproof vests.
• 💪 Kevlar is eight times stronger than steel wire of the same length and weight.
• 🙂 Liquid crystal solutions, discovered by Kwolek, are used in LCD screens to create visual displays by manipulating light.
• 🧕 Kevlar has various applications beyond bulletproof vests, including car tires, drum heads, and sailboat sails.
• 📶 The combination of strength and lightweight properties make aramid molecules and Kevlar valuable materials in multiple industries.
• 💦 Stephanie Kwolek's groundbreaking work is a testament to the importance of chemical discoveries in advancing technology and improving safety.
• 🫗 Liquid crystals have been used in nature since 1888, but Kwolek was the first to create a liquid crystal solution with polymers.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Stephanie Kwolek's discovery of aramid molecules lead to the creation of Kevlar?

Kwolek's discovery of aramid molecules, which are rigid and heat-resistant, allowed her to create Kevlar, a strong and lightweight material used in bulletproof vests and various other applications. Kevlar's high tensile strength makes it ideal for protecting against impacts and projectiles.

Q: How do bulletproof vests made from Kevlar work?

Bulletproof vests made from Kevlar utilize the material's high tensile strength. When a bullet hits the vest, the Kevlar fibers stretch and distribute the force across the vest. This prevents the bullet from piercing the vest and instead traps it within the layers of Kevlar fabric.

Q: What are liquid crystals and how are they used in LCD screens?

Liquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibit properties of both liquids and crystals. In LCD screens, boomerang-shaped liquid crystal molecules are used to create pixels. By applying an electrical current, the molecules can change orientation and manipulate the path of light, resulting in the display of images and videos.

Q: What other applications does Kevlar have besides bulletproof vests?

Kevlar is used in a variety of applications that require strong and lightweight fibers. It can be found in car tires, drum heads, sailboat sails, and other products that benefit from its high tensile strength and durability.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chemist Stephanie Kwolek discovers aramid molecules, which are super rigid and resistant to heat.

• Kwolek finds a way to dissolve these molecules, leading to the creation of Kevlar, a material with high tensile strength.

• Liquid crystal solutions, discovered by Kwolek, are used in LCD screens to manipulate light and create visual displays.