Hyperloop will cover its pods in a new, super-real material: Vibranium
Well, this should help quell concerns that Hyperloop is a science fiction pipe dream...
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies revealed Tuesday morning the name of a specially developed material that it will use to line the exterior of its pods: "Vibranium."
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Some of you Marvel nerds might recognize this as the material that composes both Captain America's shield and the Black Panther's claws. Surely, this is no coincidence.
Hyperloop Tech (not to be confused with Hyperloop One, which recently performed a public test of its propulsion system) boasts Vibranium is "eight times stronger than aluminum and 10 times stronger than steel alternatives" and "roughly 1.5 times less than aluminum and five times less than steel."
What's more, the material instantly and wirelessly transmits to the control system critical information like pod temperature, stability and integrity. If issues are detected, the pod can be removed from the loop for service.
Though Marvel's Vibranium is fiction, this version isn't, according to HTT. Essentially, this Vibranium is carbon fiber that has been embedded with sensors. Still, we haven't been able to touch or test the material in any way, so draw your own conclusions.
Slowly but surely, Hyperloop Tech is piecing together its own competitor to Hyperloop One. In March, it revealed its propulsion system. Now it has a super-strong, super-mart pod skin material.
At this point, I'd like to say, "What a time to be alive." However, I'll save my amazement until these things are actually up and running.
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