Organically Modified Sol-Gel Nanocomposite for Lightweight Optically Clear Armor Protection

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new low-cost, lightweight and flexible Organically Modified Sol-gel (ORMSOL) nanocomposite material to replace heavy bulletproof glass in transparent ballistic window structures. The proposed ORMSOL nanocomposite will have excellent optical properties, thermal stability, durability, and flexibility, as well as excellent ballistic performance at a reduced weight compared with current glass/polycarbonate backing material. ORMSOL will be produced by systematically reacting a sol-gel precursor with methyl methacrylate or polyurethane to form a prepolymer, which will then be cured before it is treated with zirconium oxide nanoparticles. The proposed versatile chemical synthesis methodology will precisely determine the physical, chemical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the resulting ORMSOL material. ORMSOL can be cast to form parts in a variety of shapes and thickness and in desired mechanical, thermal, and optical properties. In Phase I POC will develop the ORMSOL nanocomposite and prepare samples to demonstrate the flexibility of the ORMSOL synthesis method and ballistics properties of various compositions. The samples will be tested for mechanical, thermal, optical, and ballistic protection characteristics. Phase II will focus on optimizing the process and developing pilot production of ORMSOL nanocomposite material.