Transparent aluminum

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Transparent aluminum (or aluminium) is a fictional material in the Star Trek universe, first introduced in the 1986 film, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (STTVH). Though long considered just a work of science fiction, transparent aluminum is actually similar to real substances. The chemical formula for transparent aluminum plays a key role in the plot of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Contents 1 Star Trek 2 Transparent aluminum in the real world 2.1 Transparent alumina 2.2 Nanophase aluminium 2.3 Aluminium oxynitride (AlON) 3 External links

[edit] Star Trek

In STTVH, panels of acrylic glass were acquired for construction of water tanks with a thickness suitable for containing two humpback whales and tonnes of water. However, the Enterprise crew, without money appropriate to the period, found it necessary to barter with the Plexicorp (a fictional manufacturer) for the materials required for the task. In exchange for the acrylic glass, Chief Engineer Scott shares the chemical formula for transparent aluminum. Although the molecular model shown on the computer screen is represented as transparent aluminum, it is actually that of Lexan, a polycarbonate resin made by GE Plastics.^{[citation needed]}

There is some question whether this transfer of technology actually results in a predestination paradox where transparent aluminum is actually never invented by anyone. According to the timelime, Dr. Nichols is introduced to, and invented, transparent aluminum in the twentieth century; Scott learned of its use and formula in the twenty-third century who, after returning to the twentieth century, introduced it to Dr. Nichols its inventor, thus creating the feedback loop.

Star Trek technical manuals indicate transparent aluminum is used in various fittings in starships, including exterior ship portals and windows. In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “In Theory,” a subspace anomaly alters the transparent aluminum windows creating a hull breach in the observation lounge.

[edit] Transparent aluminum in the real world

These are presently produced through the chemical bonding of aluminium with appropriate elements in transparent alumina and in ruby, corundum, sapphire, and related aluminium compounds. Traditional photonic bandgaps, based on introducing spatial holes in aluminium, are likewise possible, but these would require the introduction of numerous physical holes with roughly the diameter of the wavelengths of light for which transparency were desired; but such would presumably weaken aluminium structures.

[edit] Transparent alumina

Main article: transparent alumina

Aluminium oxide, a chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen (Al₂O₃) is made transparent through a process of fusing fine particles.

[edit] Nanophase aluminium

Real transparent aluminium can and has been made by using nanophase aluminium. This is aluminium composed of nanometre scale particles as a solid transparent material, whose color can be varied by sizing the particles differently. The particles themselves are smaller than the wavelengths of visible light. Nanophase materials are usually transparent and very hard, with color depending on the size of the particles.

[edit] Aluminium oxynitride (AlON)

Aluminium oxynitride (Al₂₃O₂₇N₅) marketed under the name ALON is an aluminium composite, having the optical transparency properties of glass, yet four times the strength and hardness.[1]

[edit] External links

• Memory Alpha Star Trek reference, “Transparent Aluminum”
• Jeffrey de Fourestier, “The Mineralogy of Star Trek”
• Surmet Corporation's ALON™ website