Photo via Caltech.Įngineering material structures at the nanoscale Thinner than a single human hair, the material is made from tiny carbon struts that form interconnected tetrakaidecahedrons – structures with 14 faces – that are fabricated via two-photon lithography.Īccording to the team, the nano-architected material could potentially replace kevlar for a wide array of bulletproof protective gear used by the armed forces.Īccording to Julia Greer, Materials Scientist at Caltech, “the knowledge from this work could provide design principles for ultra-lightweight impact-resistant materials for use in efficient armor materials, protective coating, and blast-resistant shields desirable in defense and space applications.” The ISN has developed a nano-architected material that is reportedly more effective at stopping a projectile than Kevlar or steel.
The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN), made up of the MIT, Caltech, ETH Zurich and the US Army Research Lab, has used 3D printing technology at the nanoscale to form a material that is reportedly more effective at stopping a projectile than Kevlar or steel.
