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Diamond On The Soles Of My Shoes

Never resole your shoes again.
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Diamond coating is reguarly used on industrial equipment that sees a lot of abrasion (drill bits, for example) to reduce wear. Shoes see a lot of abrasion, and frequently in patterns that make the shoes less usable - the section under the balls of the feet will wear through, or one side of the heel will wear down faster than the other.

Apply diamond coating to the tops of the treads - only the tops - of a rugged sole, and it would be nearly impossible for it to wear down, but would retain the comfort and flexibility (since the tread gutters are not affected) of a standard sole.

It would reduce traction, but by using a sole with rugged tread, the shoes should still be safe.

gisho, Jun 15 2010

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       "Sorry about your marble floor."
RayfordSteele, Jun 15 2010
  

       Hmmm, would these shoes be more expensive than normal shoes? Cost seems like it might be a bit of an issue.
blissmiss, Jun 15 2010
  

       [blissmiss], absolutely - I have no idea by how much. But they would also be much longer-wearing.
gisho, Jun 15 2010
  

       okay then, I'll buy 'em, being a fellow walker and all...
blissmiss, Jun 15 2010
  

       hmmm, I wonder if Garfunkel would refuse to wear them just on principle.   

       Build it and they will come (but wear it out and they will have to repeat their custom.) Google gillette.
4whom, Jun 15 2010
  

       [4whom] //wear it out and they will have to repeat their custom//
Might not apply to shoes. When you replace a pair of shoes, with what probability do you buy the *same brand* as last time? If the probability is low, then it makes sense for the manufacturer to compete by offering longer lastng shoes.
mouseposture, Jun 15 2010
  

       ...in certain styles that appeal to a certain type of woman who owns multiple shoes in those styles.
rcarty, Jun 16 2010
  

       [21 Quest], it's not individual diamonds, it's a very thin diamond film laid down on the sole - google "diamond-like carbon" for details.
gisho, Jun 16 2010
  

       A brief study of tribology would suggest the diamond coating would soon become clogged with tar from pavements, wood chips and deposits from any other surface one walked on. There would also be a problem with low friction on hard surfaces.   

       Now, if you could make a sole that was structured like a very short bristled brush, made from carbon nanotubes.....
Twizz, Jun 16 2010
  

       To solve the traction problem, the sole could consist of a great many tiny carbon tipped drill bits, pointing downwards. A ratchet mechanism would convert downward pressure into clockwise spinning, and upwards pulling into anticlockwise rotation, so as you step forward your show bites into the hard surface, and grips solidly, but unscrews as you lift your foot behind you. You would also leave an awesome trail of footprints on that marble floor.
pocmloc, Jun 16 2010
  

       Twizz, if the sole was carbon nanotubes structured like a very short bristled brush, it would have fantastic traction, but might stick to the floor, preventing the wearer from lifting his feet.
goldbb, Jun 16 2010
  
      
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