Description:
Most body armor available in the market is uncomfortable to wear because it is heavy and made of non-porus materials that do not allow proper air circulation. As a result, the body armor is worn only during emergencies or when there is an immediate threat.
Needlepunched technology permits the manufacture of more comfortable ballistic protection shield by interconnecting a non-woven next-to-skin layer (a wear layer) to a layer or multiple layers of anti-ballistic materials, and bonding the anti-ballistic layer to an abrasion resistant layer. The abrasion resistant layer may be leather. The technology permits distinct layering, fiber blending, compressibility, controlled fiber orientation, and increases z-directional strength producing a ballistic protection composite shield with improved next-to-skin properties, and improved flexibility.
Reference Number: D-0396
Market Applications:
- Bullet resistent body armor for military personnel
- Strike resistent vests for correctional officers
- Bullet and Arrow resistent hunting gear for hunters
- Bullet and strike resistent materials for construction of backpacks for students
Features, Benefits & Advantages:
- Produced material is lighter in weight than metal based products
- Material can be constructed with different numbers of layers and material depending on the level of protection desired
- By using multiple layers of material, enhanced strength and superior fiber orientation is provided
- By using natural fibers, air circulation and moisture wicking is provided for superior comfort
Intellectual Property:
A U.S. patent (6,862,971) was issued for this technology on 03/08/2005.
Development Stage:
Additional research continues to test ballistic properties using different material composites and various layers of materials.
Researcher:
Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., Associate Professor, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University
http://www.tiehh.ttu.edu/dr.-s.s.-ramkumar.html