New spray on polymer makes watermelons, and the Pentagon, indestructible
As scientists discover, and create new fantastical molecules and polymers, the number of applications that they can be used for increases, Line-X is a wonderful example of what's possible.
Key takeaways
- The US Government is using it to protect buildings from terrorist bomb blasts after Line-X was found to significantly reduce fragmentation which is one of the greatest threats posed from an explosion.
- The LINE-X polymer can be sprayed onto the exterior wall of any buildings, effectively containing the shattered wall fragments and protecting the building's occupants from serious injury during the explosion.
- The wonder polymer apparently gets its amazing properties because it’s molecular structure is a mess, in fact everything about it is a mess.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'New spray on polymer makes watermelons, and the Pentagon, indestructible', 311 Institute, 9 December. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/new-spray-on-polymer-makes-watermelons-and-the-pentagon-indestructible/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
What do pick up truck bed liners, ballistic vests, the Pentagon, a piece of paper and a watermelon all have in common? That’s right, thanks to a new spray on polymer called Line-X from a Californian company sporting the same name they are all virtually indestructible.
Despite the viral video of the seemingly indestructible watermelon, which manages to withstand being dropped from the top of a 148ft tower, falling at over 60mph, and being assaulted with an axe, but that eventually gives in to a buzz saw, aww rubbish, the wonder material has a serious side too. The US Government is using it to protect buildings from terrorist bomb blasts after Line-X was found to significantly reduce fragmentation which is one of the greatest threats posed from an explosion.
Wild!
The LINE-X polymer can be sprayed onto the exterior wall of any buildings, effectively containing the shattered wall fragments and protecting the building's occupants from serious injury during the explosion.
Tests that were recently conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and US Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE) showed that Line-X protected buildings can withstand the force from up to 1,100 pounds of explosives and while the walls of the Pentagon are already lined with the material it now looks like the miracle polymer is going to be making its debut on civilian structures where it could potentially help to combat the effects of natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.
The wonder polymer apparently gets its amazing properties because it’s molecular structure is a mess, in fact everything about it is a mess. It's made up of two ingredients, handily nicknamed A and B. A is mostly made up of a molecule called Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, or MDI for short, and B is the plasticising part and it’s made out of, are you ready? Take a deep breath and say it with me, alpha-(2-aminomethylethyl)-omega-(2-aminomethylethoxy)-poly(oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)).
And breathe.
When these two materials bind together they form a new polymer called Polyurea and it’s these long, tangled molecules that give Line-X not only its strength but also its flexibility because they can be stretched out and snap back into place.
Now that the secret about this amazing new material is out I want to spray it onto everything, does anyone have any fine china?
What this means for your organisation
Fragments are the real threat.
Line-X was found to significantly reduce fragmentation, which is one of the greatest threats from an explosion. Sprayed onto an exterior wall, it contains the shattered pieces and protects the people inside. Tests by the Air Force Research Laboratory and US Army Corps. of Engineers showed protected buildings can withstand up to 1,100 pounds of explosives.
Civilian buildings are next.
The walls of the Pentagon are already lined with the material. It now looks set to appear on civilian structures, where it could help against hurricanes and earthquakes. In 311 data, spray-on materials sit at TRL 8, with wide use expected by 2032 and an action rating of Explore.
Structure drives the performance.
Line-X forms when two ingredients bind into a polymer called Polyurea. Its long, tangled molecules give it strength and flexibility, because they stretch out and snap back into place. Polymers are rated Act now in 311 data, while architectural materials are rated Watch.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our buildings face a blast or storm risk that a coating could reduce?
- Who in our organisation tests new protective materials before we specify them?
- Could spray-on coatings be added to existing walls instead of rebuilding them?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
As scientists discover, and create new fantastical molecules and polymers, the number of applications that they can be used for increases, Line-X is a wonderful example of what's possible.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Line-X linex.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 9 December 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). New spray on polymer makes watermelons, and the Pentagon, indestructible. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/new-spray-on-polymer-makes-watermelons-and-the-pentagon-indestructible/
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