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about a month ago i watched someone as they walked confidently over an icy patch of ground. moments later they were sprawled on their back, and still sliding.
if however they had been wearing the anti-ice shoe, they would not have been seen in this compromising position.
the anti-ice shoe:
with a sole which is coated in a thick layer of salt crystals. when the shoe comes into contact with ice, it will melt it and thus the wearer can walk assured of their stability.
<shameless self-promo>Half-baked already
http://www.halfbake...0And_20A_20McGuffin ... but only as a throwaway, so I'll let you away with it.</shameless self-promo> [Guy Fox, Feb 13 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]
Why don't dogs get frostbite on their feet?
http://www.straight...ssics/a990312a.html Cecil Adams reports. Down to thick pads on soles, fur over most of their body, and slightly higher body temperature. [pottedstu, Feb 14 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]
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Salt would be so much more convenient than, say, spikes, or non-slip material. |
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zkk, the ice wouldn't melt from such a brief contact as a step. angel, what you suggest is baked in the US in the form of rubber boots that slip over regular shoes and have little spikes and a coarse sand-paper like substance for traction. |
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Yes, [rfr] / [not-lewisgirl, honest], I realise that. (Is there a smiley meaning 'tongue-in-cheek'?) |
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That's OK; it's already been adequately tested by polar bears, arctic foxes, and snow leopards. |
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why not try strapping baby monkeys to your shoes they have good claws for griping on to the ground. The only problem would be that the monkeys would have to be the same size otherwise you may end up walking in circles. |
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The other problem with monkeys is the fur may freeze in very cold temperatures. I'm afraid it would have to be some kind of naked monkey, or at least a pair of partialy shaved monkeys. |
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With all this talk of ice and monkeys, I have a sneaking feeling I know who you ice monkeys are! |
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How about shoes that shoot flames out of the soles as you walk? |
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Obligatory cry of: if you have problems with your password, email bakesperson@halfbakery.com, rather than creating lots of extra accounts. |
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mrthingy: Like a tar burner? No, wait thats going to cause real problems should you hit an uniced bit of pavement... |
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Salt only melts snow by dissolving in it and lowering its melting point. Therefore, you would need a steady supply of salt to your feet, which is I think why the conversation's moved so quickly to monkeys (although how exactly monkeys learnt to walk on snow, I don't know). |
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//you would need a steady supply of salt to your feet |
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Ah right, so how about going around barefooted, but use the tar burner to make sure your feet are constantly sweating? |
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mcscotland: Just stay out of the street. Sidewalks/footpaths are concrete usually. Anyway, if it's that cold outside the tar will soon harden again. Besides, what do I care? I'm a walking foot-flaming monster. |
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Salt-shoes would be useless at best, and if they did anything would make the problem worse by causing the ice to melt creating the layer of water referred to by PS. |
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As an alternative idea, I'd suggest using Peltier-effect COOLERS in the soles of one's shoes so as to eliminate the thin layer of water. Such coolers might require a fair amount of power, but any heat they produced could be put to good use warming the wearer of the shoes. While a portable electric heating garment would probably in most cases not be practical, if used with a Peltier-effect cooler it would provide more than 1 watt of useful heat for each watt of power used. |
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//a steady supply of salt to your feet// |
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Would supercat's coolers not lead to your feet freezing onto the ice as the thin layer of water solidified? |
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Meanwhile, I'll link to "Why don't dogs get frostbite in their feet?" for reference. |
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The monkeys sound interesting, though maybe somewhat cruel. Perhaps yall should just develop some coordination and balance then. |
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I have found my ability to walk on slippery surfaces greatly improved by having walked a hundred-pound overenthusiastic dog across an ice sheet. |
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Wouldn't it melt and freeze, thus rendering the wearer immobile?? |
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