EXPANSION OF PANCREATIC ISLETS USING NOVEL BIOMATERIAL

Not Available A program is proposed to demonstrates a low cost material, design and manufacturing method for the elastomer-encapsulated, laterally-confined ceramic armor component to limit lateral damage, to increase ballistic efficiency, and to allow multiple impacts without ballistic performance degradation. The armor component is an integrated package, containing a continuous elastomer phase around segmented, laterally-confined ceramic tiles. The proposed program is based on Ceradyne's extensive development in the armor system design and manufacturing. The elastomer is used (1) to attenuate the shock waves, and (2) to accommodate the lateral displacement during the ceramic fracturing, for reducing the damage in the adjacent ceramic tiles. The confinement on the segmented ceramic tiles is introduced (1) to increase the compressive strength of the comminuted fragments, and (2) to increase the friction between the projectile and the fragmented rabbles, for achieving the maximum ballistic efficiency. A ballistic testing methodology will be designed to quantitatively evaluate the ballistic efficiency as well as the single- and multiple-hit performance. A partnership with a commercial tire/elastomer manufacture will be established to reduce the manufacturing cost in the elastomer encapsulation process. A preliminary data base will be established for use in designing a program to fabricate and optimize armor system with multiple hit capability. BENEFITS: Large scale of the elastomer-e