New technology promises "smart" armor that hardens with impact
Developed at the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, a revolutionary new classification of body armor is scheduled to be released- first to the prison security industry, and later to law enforcement and military community. The product is a liquid which exhibits amazing properties. A mixture of non-toxic ethelyne glycol and nano-beads of silica, the new STF (Shear Thickening Fluid) can be stirred slowly with a spoon. If, however, a sudden force is applied, such as a stabbing motion, or sudden impact, the liquid instantly hardens, arresting all motion. This new generation of armor, pioneered under the leadership of Dr. Eric Wetzel, of the Weapons and Materials Directorate at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, was first glimpsed by the public in 2004, and is seeing the market in 2008. Armor Holdings purchased the rights to market the material, and has selected Barrday, Inc. to further develop its applications.
STF was birthed from nanotechnology, the same line of science that brought us waterproof fabrics, better tires and even modern sunscreen. The liquid retains its properties in all sorts of temperatures, which makes it useful for military personnel who may find themselves wearing the new armor in extreme environments, from snowy mountaintops, to desert heat. Because STF is a liquid, it can be applied to the surface of fabrics as a coating, and, after absorption, will bestow "armor" properties to that fabric.
STF works by forming an instant armor "shell" as soon as a high energy impact strikes it, but resumes its semi -liquid state as soon as the energy from the impact is dispersed. As a result of this behavior of the liquid, the pressure of the impact is dispersed over the entire expanse of surface area. Anyone familiar with body armor physics will attest that this is a highly desirable property. In ballistics, concentrated energy and velocity equal penetration power. By spreading that energy over the surface of the armor, penetration is dramatically reduced. The fact that the entire surface area works in concert to disperse pressure, as a sort of "armor shell", means there is also a dramatic reduction in secondary blunt force trauma which could otherwise crush ribs, or break bones.
The applications of the new liquid armor are many, and reach beyond strictly being applied to new vests. STF can be applied to other, conventional body armor, to increase the protection level. It can be used on suspicious packages, to potentially reduce the threat of explosive destruction. Because of its light weight, and semi-liquid flexibility, it promises to increase the mobility of personnel who use body armor. This concern in particular is the topic of hot debate in the US Military, where body armor solutions have been widely criticized by many for excessive weight, and lack of flexibility.
More:
http://www.ccm.udel.edu/STF/PubLinks2/Siuru_Law&OrderMagazine_Oct2006.pdf
Developed at the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, a revolutionary new classification of body armor is scheduled to be released- first to the prison security industry, and later to law enforcement and military community. The product is a liquid which exhibits amazing properties. A mixture of non-toxic ethelyne glycol and nano-beads of silica, the new STF (Shear Thickening Fluid) can be stirred slowly with a spoon. If, however, a sudden force is applied, such as a stabbing motion, or sudden impact, the liquid instantly hardens, arresting all motion. This new generation of armor, pioneered under the leadership of Dr. Eric Wetzel, of the Weapons and Materials Directorate at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, was first glimpsed by the public in 2004, and is seeing the market in 2008. Armor Holdings purchased the rights to market the material, and has selected Barrday, Inc. to further develop its applications.
STF was birthed from nanotechnology, the same line of science that brought us waterproof fabrics, better tires and even modern sunscreen. The liquid retains its properties in all sorts of temperatures, which makes it useful for military personnel who may find themselves wearing the new armor in extreme environments, from snowy mountaintops, to desert heat. Because STF is a liquid, it can be applied to the surface of fabrics as a coating, and, after absorption, will bestow "armor" properties to that fabric.
STF works by forming an instant armor "shell" as soon as a high energy impact strikes it, but resumes its semi -liquid state as soon as the energy from the impact is dispersed. As a result of this behavior of the liquid, the pressure of the impact is dispersed over the entire expanse of surface area. Anyone familiar with body armor physics will attest that this is a highly desirable property. In ballistics, concentrated energy and velocity equal penetration power. By spreading that energy over the surface of the armor, penetration is dramatically reduced. The fact that the entire surface area works in concert to disperse pressure, as a sort of "armor shell", means there is also a dramatic reduction in secondary blunt force trauma which could otherwise crush ribs, or break bones.
The applications of the new liquid armor are many, and reach beyond strictly being applied to new vests. STF can be applied to other, conventional body armor, to increase the protection level. It can be used on suspicious packages, to potentially reduce the threat of explosive destruction. Because of its light weight, and semi-liquid flexibility, it promises to increase the mobility of personnel who use body armor. This concern in particular is the topic of hot debate in the US Military, where body armor solutions have been widely criticized by many for excessive weight, and lack of flexibility.
More:
http://www.ccm.udel.edu/STF/PubLinks2/Siuru_Law&OrderMagazine_Oct2006.pdf
