Ferrofluid bullet

[dominic]

I have designed a high impact bullet using ferrofluid consisting of nanoscale metallic particles held in a silicone gel matrix. When a magnetic field is applied to ferrofluid it changes from a liquid to a solid. Ferrofluid is the stuff being developed as a flexible body armor. My concept is to build up a layer of this fluid over a magnetic core and encase it in a typical copper alloy jacket. When fired, the magnetic core contacts the fluid where it is activated forming a solid. You can control the density of the fluid to control impact depth, kinetic energy and reduce or completely eliminate ricochet. It will have huge terminal ballistic potential. Since my last design along these lines were confiscated under 35 USC 181, I'm making it public domain. You heard about it here first.

[professorhard]

Huh?

[freonr22]

AWESOME! Backstory please

[dragonbait1a]

IANAL, but if your patent was confiscated because of secrecy rules, maybe you shouldn't talk about it?

RGB

[PatriotnMore]

IANAL, but if your patent was confiscated because of secrecy rules, maybe you shouldn't talk about it?

RGB

Yes, but as a citizen, and if I were the inventor, I would like clarification and the legality, other than because we can, on how a bullet is of national security.

I would certainly like to hear the entire story.

[pepsi2451]

Interesting to say the least. I would love to hear more.

[HiPower823]

IBTL

[dragonbait1a]

Yes, but as a citizen, and if I were the inventor, I would like clarification and the legality, other than because we can, on how a bullet is of national security.

I would certainly like to hear the entire story.

Tin Foil Hat on:

IF I read the OP correctly, this would be a projectile that would only remain solid until a predetermined time after impact, thus limiting overpenetration etc. If I wanted a projectile for deniable killings this tech would be perfect. No rifling striations, and the projectile itself becomes a fluid and magnet. Since we're discussing small arms, I'd bet that the magnet would be pretty darn small. So someone dies of a "Gunshot" but there is no evidence of a gunshot.

Tinfoil Hat off.

OR the government wanted to prevent such "Traceless" shootings, much like they wanted to suppress caseless ammo. So they suppressed the bullet technology as a "state secret" even though they never intended to use it.

I'm curious too, but I can't in good conscience ask for details or recommend that the OP disclose it. I'd hate to be the reason someone got in trouble for "Disclosing State Secrets."

RGB

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Huh?

[arnold voice]Liquid metal.[/arnold voice]

[dominic]

Tin Foil Hat on:

IF I read the OP correctly, this would be a projectile that would only remain solid until a predetermined time after impact, thus limiting overpenetration etc. If I wanted a projectile for deniable killings this tech would be perfect. No rifling striations, and the projectile itself becomes a fluid and magnet. Since we're discussing small arms, I'd bet that the magnet would be pretty darn small. So someone dies of a "Gunshot" but there is no evidence of a gunshot.

OR the government wanted to prevent such "Traceless" shootings, much like they wanted to suppress caseless ammo.

RGB

The fluid is encased in a standard copper alloy jacket to hold the fluid and magnet. The regular casing will still show rifling striations though there would probably be fragmentation in higher density targets because of the huge terminal ballistic potential. Even then the fluid is very viscous, and the magnetic core and jacket won't somehow disappear upon impact.

I'm curious too, but I can't in good conscience ask for details or recommend that the OP disclose it. I'd hate to be the reason someone got in trouble for "Disclosing State Secrets."

RGB

I am not even applying for a patent on this one, so what "secret" is being disclosed here?

[dragonbait1a]

I was only speculating, obviously I didn't know the details...

Hey, it's your life. From the pessimist POV I could see legal issues with discussing and publishing information that the government has classified. I'd hate to encourage you and have it lead to legal action against you. I understand that the people who investigate security breaches are humorless.

Do what you like, the technology sounds interesting. Assuming that you are free to discuss it, I'd like to hear more.

RGB

[Neuvik]

Good job Dominic, sorry for your loss, and maybe switch up patent lawyers if it seems he didn't fight it as hard as he should have.

I'd still let slip the patent number maybe the cycle of bureaucracy is slow and the file is still viewable to the public.

They should have helped to make it real instead of stealing it, freaking low lives.