In certain risky activities, good armor can make all the difference. A bulletproof vest, an anti-explosive suit … The materials for this type of production are getting better every time. Now an ultra-light material made of nanoscale carbon struts has emerged. It is the armor that withstands supersonic strikes. And the outcome of this research can bring big changes to your industry.
More versatile
Its properties give it toughness and mechanical robustness. It withstood the impact of microparticles at supersonic speeds. The material is thinner than the width of a human hair. In tests, it prevented miniature projectiles from penetrating it.
The researchers made the comparison with steel, Kevlar, aluminum and other materials. All impact-resistant of comparable weight. Therefore, the new material absorbs impacts more efficiently. The exact pattern of the nanoscale structure is the secret.
Engineers from MIT, Caltech and ETH Zurich examined it. They analyzed the properties of “nano-architecture” materials. These are materials designed from nanoscale structures with precise patterns. So they can be a promising avenue for many uses. Light armor, protective coatings, explosive shields, and more.
New coatings
When it is produced on a large scale, it opens up new possibilities. It would be a lighter and more resilient alternative to Kevlar and steel. And of course, if its dimensions reduce manufacturing costs.
“Knowledge of this work could provide additional information. For example, construction principles for ultra-light, impact-resistant materials. You would use it in efficient armor materials and protective coatings. Imagine explosion-resistant shields that are desirable in defense and aerospace applications. It says it’s a statement Co-author Julia R. Greer. She is a professor of materials science, mechanics and medical technology at Caltech. And his laboratory directed the manufacture of the material.
In other words, armor that can withstand supersonic impacts is one of those materials of the future. The study was published in Nature Materials.
