January 2013

Researchers fabricated an all-new paperthin bullet-proof super material, which has the capability to self-assemble into alternating rubbery as well as glassy layers in the second week of November. The nano-material has the ability to translate into the safety beyond the vests. These technological advancements could be used for protective coating for the jet engine turbine blades as well as the satellites.

Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as Rice University created the special textures which had the ability to stop bullets from lab. This special texture known as structured polymer composite can reassemble into rubbery layers and alternating glassy layers.

According to the Rice University, while the ballistic tests were performed, on this material at MIT’s Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, a 9 millimetre bullet could be stopped by the 20 -nano metre-thick layers. Nevertheless, the most challenging task was to test the material effectively in lab.

An innovative testing methodology was also introduced by the MIT-Rice, where tiny glass beads were shot at this material. Despite being too small in size (millionth of a meter), they projected the bullet impacts. If the layers of materials are looked under the scanning electron microscope, they appear like the corduroy. The researchers also assumed that projectile hit the target at least 2000 times more rapidly than the falling of an apple from one metre, but with much less force.

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