Iron Science
Text: Lio Mangubat
Image: © 2007 Paramount Pictures

Wouldn’t it be cool if the Iron Man armor was real? We take a look at today’s tech to see if it’s possible.

[1] Enhanced Armor
Reel: The stylish gold-and-red suit that Tony Stark wears buffs up his strength, boosts his damaged heart, and gives him enough protection to go about the superhero business.
Real: You can already find bulky battle suits around, like the XOS Exoskeleton, developed by Stephen Jacobsen. Scientists in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are also working on developing nanotech (read: microscopically small) muscles to make a better, buffer, and badder battle suit.

[2] Repulsor Rays
Reel: Iron Man’s signature weapons fire a beam of energy from the palms of his hands.
Real: A couple of decades ago, the United States and the Soviet Union were doing serious research on particle beam weapons. They wanted to use them to shoot nuclear missiles outta the sky. The U.S.’s nickname for the project? “Star Wars”. 

[3] Rocket Boots
Reel: Thrusters built onto the soles of Iron Man’s feet rocket him up to the sky. In mid-air, he’s more maneuverable than a fighter jet. Plus, we bet they keep his feet toasty-dry and free of athlete’s foot.
Real: Working jet packs have actually been around since the 1950s. But to pack all enough fuel to outfly a fighter jet into the size of a normal boot would be technically impossible.