Auxetic Textiles for Improved Blast / Ballistic Protection

Luna Innovations teamed with University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth (UMD) is developing novel auxetic textile technology to provide improved protection for military soldiers. American soldiers are exposed to significant risk of injury and death from gun shots and blast from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Whereas heavy protective armor exists, it is very bulky leading to thermal discomfort, additional weight, and difficulty in maneuvering. Lightweight armor, on the other hand, often does not have the level of protection required for ballistic and blast protection. Recent research in the area of auxetic textiles has demonstrated a remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties compared with conventional woven textiles. These novel textiles can absorb and disperse energy extremely well for enhanced protection from blast threats. This program will exploit these unique characteristics to provide the US military with lightweight protective garments having enhanced ballistic and blast protection.