Iron Man - The Heroes Reborn Armor

Design Notes :

Shell Composition:  Composed of several layers of various materials. The lowest layer is tubing -- which acts as rudimentary life support. Various power conduits and computer interfaces are weaved into each tube, which is then coated. The external coating is known as Aero-Gel, which is heat, sound and vibration resistant. Aero-Gel is transparent so it is applied right onto the "paint" of the armor itself -- which has itself many refractory properties. The "paint," however, is not really paint at all but is an LED coating that is very thin and requires little power -- but will allow the various parts of the armor to assume any color. This feature is automatically engaged when the armor is removed and is referred to as the "Autocloak" system. The next layer is Carbon Nitride -- which allows extreme toughness. The innermost layer is a lighweight Titanium alloy. Each tube is hollow -- with all conduits running along the inner wall. Since air is an excellent thermal insulator, the hollow tubes protect from most environments on their own.

The armor also has several rigid pieces mounted on the abdomen and chest. The chest section houses the main computer (the back-up computer is mounted on the thigh). The abdominal section is merely a structural support. The primary support method for the armor is an electromagnetic field (modulated at a different frequency to avoid interference with the power generator). This field can be altered in shape and at times can be used to attract metallic objects of various sizes (depending on range and power requirements). The outer surfaces of the armor can also be electrified with a small charge to "flash-dry" the armor if it becomes wet.

Power Source and Energy Information:  The Prometheum Armor uses a Beta Particle collector as its primary power supply. On the back of the chestplate of the armor is the power generator itself (noted by the two huge tubes extended from the top of it). The generator uses an electromagnetic field to attract the Beta Particles. As the particles are drawn into the collector, power is generated and the particles are destroyed. The dying Beta Particles are ejected from the generator in hot air that is exhausted from the tubes (Heat Extraction Tubes -- HXTs).

Thermocouples are mounted in the HXTs and generate electrical power proportional to the temperature of the hot air -- the higher the temperature, the more power is produced. Given the overall power level the suit has, this power is sufficient to maintain life support, but in no way could power the entire suit.

The armor can function underwater for a limited time, but power usage must be kept to a minimum. If warm water passes over the heat sinks and allows heat to transfer away from the power core at a sufficient rate , the armor will function. But if the core is running too hard (50% of maximum) -- running water will be insufficient to transfer enough heat and the power core will shut down.

Life Support Information: There are three levels of life support on the Prometheum Armor. The primary method of life support consists of tubes that make up most of the armor's structure. These tubes will protect the wearer from most extremes of temperature and pressure. The tubes themselves are filled with air and are lined with conduits -- the armor maintains its own supply of breathable air, which is stored in external tanks mounted on the shoulders. The air supply itself can last for two hours underwater, and indefinitely if the armor is airborne. The second and third methods of life support use nanotechnology to repair damage to the wearer. The second method of life support consists of having the nano-bots repair injuries such as cuts and burns -- the nano-bots are deployed to repair the damage and return to the chestplate when finished.

The third level of life support is most critical. It involves an injury of such severity that the nano-bots cannot leave the area or the wearer will die. For example, if the wearer has a punctured heart, the nano-bots will themselves becomes a patch for the damaged area. Before the wearer puts on the chestplate, he attaches two (or more) skin-mounted sensors. These sensors will supply the main computer with enough information that it can tell what level of life support is needed. When the wearer puts on the chestplate, nano-bots will enter his system -- they will create a conduit leading to the damaged area (the conduit will be constructed such that the wearer will not bleed to death). The conduit will contain a stream of nano-bots that will lead right to the power core. The nano-bots on site will repair the damage they can and then will themselves replace tissue untikl the wearer can have corrective surgery. In the event that power is lost, the nano-bot patch will lose cohesion and the wearer will begin to feel it. If power is not restored quickly, the nano-bots will not be able to stay together and will disperse -- in some cases causing more damage than the original wound -- and leading to the death of the wearer.

Weapons Systems:  The primary weapons system for the armor consists of two gauntlets. Each gauntlet extends far past the elbow so that the power conduits will have extra shielding. At the palm of each hand is an energy emitter. The emitter is designed to let various types of energy to be used. The broadest form of energy allows for enhanced scanning under certain conditions. Narrowed more, the energy emitted becomes a low grade force field. If the energy bandwidth is widened at this power level, a tractor beam is created. If the energy bandwidth is narrowed further, it becomes a repulsor. If the energy is modulated to a different wavelength, it can be used to refract any incoming light.

Mounted on the top of the wrist is a fire-control computer. Though it modulates power needs, the computer primarily adjusts the type of beam fired as well as the intensity of the beam. On top of the palm itself is a heat sink which is also controlled by the computer. If heat begins to build and threatens to burn out key systems, excess energy will be fed to the heat sink.

Equipment:
Control System: The armor responds to various control methods -- neural, voice, and a special eye-tracking cursor control. Which method is employed depends on the situation. At times when intimidation is needed, the voice commands can be heard over the armor's speakers.

Chest Module: In the center of the chestplate has been added a special module to perform various functions. This module contains a hologram projector, scanning laser, and emergency controls and interface ports. To either side of the chest module are angled projections. These projections are power input terminals and acn accept both AC and DC power. There are markings for polarity on the projections.

Magnesium Flare Contact Lenses: A set of contact lenses that have nano-scale magnesium deposits on their surface. They are triggered by the eye opening wide and also have a polarized coating on the back to prevent blinding the wearer. The lenses must be replaced after every use and allow perfect sight before and after use.

Solid Air Nodules: These nodules will spray a mist of "solid air" over a five meter area. Solid Air is a substance that is impact resistant -- yet will allow oxygen to pass through it. A person covered in Solid Air can breathe normally, but cannot be injured by blunt objects or projectiles. The person is still susceptible, however, to energy weapons. Solid Air can be washed off with soap and water.

Special thanks to former A.I. CG art master and technologist supreme ALLEN BUJAK, who devised the above specs which were originally published in A.I. #31. (Those with keen memory will know that Allen was credited in IRON MAN vol. 3 #1 for his armor design contributions!). Also thanks to former and current A.I. artists TROY BRIAN and BILL MEIGGS for their masterful art!