Posted on 02/19/2017 8:38:26 PM PST by BenLurkin
he new bulletproof shield developed by Howell and his colleagues can be folded compactly when not in use. It is also much easier to deploy and transport.
When expanded, which only takes five seconds, the bulletproof shield can offer cover for police officers and shield them from bullets such as the 9 mm, .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum.
This new shield is also lightweight, weighing only 55 pounds. It was built with 12 layers of Kevlar and a common creasing origami-like pattern, which makes it foldable into a more manageable size.
During tests, the bulletproof shield prototype proved to be surprisingly efficient. Howell said they suspected that a bullet as big as .44 Magnum would tip over, but it didn't happen.
"The barrier is very stable, even with large bullets hitting it," he said.
The prototypes were constructed to be protective and stiff, while maintaining the flexibility of Kevlar fabric. Since this material was sensitive to water and sunlight, as well as susceptible to abrasion and fraying, Howell and his team made sure to reinforce it against the environment.
Researchers believe their bulletproof shield will not only be efficient for law enforcement, but it can also be deployed in case of grave emergencies, including school shootings or when someone is injured during a hostage situation.
(Excerpt) Read more at techtimes.com ...
This was on the PBS show called the “Origami Revolution” among other areas where origami techniques are being used.
Another interesting area is in determining how proteins are folded in organisms and figuring out how to create other proteins by origami techniques to modify the organism like a flue virus to render it inert/harmeless.
Lots of possibilities, probably expensive though.
55 pounds is light to anyone reading this article, but not so much for anyone having to actually lug it around for any non-trivial distance.
55 pounds is not light in my book.
“Only” 55 lbs. LOL.
It’s a piece of garbage. What works is what they use now. A plea lass Roman sputum. But God forbid something from Western civilization.
Yes, but who wants to wear a flak jacket that makes you look like a swan?
I was watching a YouTube video the other day, a gun tester testing shotgun rounds on behalf of someone else. The slugs had some kind of metal screws encased in glass, fitted to shotgun cartridges. When fired at a Kevlar bulletproof vest, the glass shattered and fully penetrated the vest in multiple locations shredding it. The wearer would not survive. Of course, a round to the head would have the same effect. Just saying, having a vest is nice but not a sure thing for survival. Scary, but at least a vest is some protection versus none.
A plea lass Roman sputum?
There is a reason shields have gone away. Not much utility in hiding behind one. The best shield really truly is effective fire being directed onto the target.
What about a round striking one of the many seams? If there are Kevlar fibers there, how many folding cycles can they withstand before fraying or losing effectiveness? What does that translate to in terms of service life, including training exercises? Seems like a neat idea, but possibly not very practical.
A bee stung me once and I had to inject myself with my Epic penis.
I have front and rear level IV ceramic plates and side panels. But I have a dreadful fear of getting shot in my groinocological area.
So I would know more of this ‘Roman sputum’.
Is it magical?
"...A plea lass Roman sputum..."
My SWAG on the first part is ‘plexiglass’ but as far as the Roman sputum, like Long John Silver I’m stumped.
I wonder if you can buy a bulletproof, bee-proof plexiglass cup.
The Romans invented concrete. Is that it?
A concrete peter-keeper. Gee. I dunno ...
But I wouldn’t need much for my boys.
What about using woven stainless steel?
Another item for the modern era.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.