Nanoinfusion Technology for Low-Cost, Lightweight, Transparent Armor

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc (CRG) will use a patented technology called nanoinfusion to develop a manufacturing process for bulk production of high-purity, nanometer-sized optical ceramic powders suitable for low-cost, lightweight, transparent armor. The traditional ballistic glass laminate structures that have been used previously in combat vehicles are so heavy that the windows must be kept small, which limits the situational awareness of the combatants. Compared with traditional ballistic glass, the transparent ceramic armor types, such as Al2O3, ALON, or spinel, offer a considerable improvement in mechanical performance, on the order of 50%, which directly translates to reduced weight, and would allow for larger windows with an increased field of view. For transparent ceramic armor that is currently in use, the grain size is typically 150-250 microns, so there is still a great deal of room for improvement. The nanoinfusion process is a highly scalable, cost-effective process for creating nanoparticles on the order of 5-10 nanometers, which will allow for a significant grain size reduction in Al2O3, ALON, or spinel materials. The higher mechanical performance offered by the material with reduced grain size would allow for less material to be employed, giving a gain in both weight and cost considerations.