A new nano material developed by scientists can stop a speeding bullet.
Could paper thin material stop a speeding bullet?
Scientists from Rice University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are working towards that possibility after observing ballistic tests
where a composite material called a copolymer polyurethane, was able to stop a 9 millimeter bullet, and even seal the entry point. A disk of the material shows the bullets trapped inside.
There was no visible damage or cracking in the test disk.
In order to study the polymer, the team had to create a model material that acted similarly at a nanoscale level.
Assembling a structure that would shoot tiny glass beads at high speeds into the test material, they were able to see more clearly the results of the impact-absorbing material.
Ned Thomas, a Rice University materials scientist, explains, “After the impact we can go in and cross-section the structure and see how deep the bullet got, and see what happened to these nice parallel layers.”
The nanomaterial being studied as well as further testing could result in protection beyond police vests and soldier’s armor. Shield coatings for jet engine turbine blades and space satellites could also become a reality.
