Military uniforms which change properties in the works

10 Dec '12

4 min read

The scientists also plan to develop a second, “shedding” response scheme in which the fabric exfoliates upon reaction with a chemical agent. In this way, the fabric will be able to block chemical agents such as sulfur mustard (blister agent), GD and VX nerve agents, toxins such as staphylococcal enterotoxin and biological spores such as anthrax.

Carter at UMass Amherst says, “Mimicking the way real skin responds to threats by exfoliation and shedding of contaminated areas will allow for a dynamic responsive garment, all achieved through controlled chemical reactions in this new advanced fabric.”

Tracee Harris, science and technology manager for the Dynamic Multifunctional Material for a Second Skin Program, says, “Development of chemical threat responsive carbon nanotube membranes is a great example of a novel material’s potential to provide innovative solutions for the Department of Defense CB needs. This futuristic uniform would allow our military forces to operate safely for extended time periods and successfully complete their missions in environments contaminated with chemical and biological warfare agents.”

In addition to Carter, Watkins, Jeffrey Morse and YuYing Tang at UMass Amherst, with Fornasiero, Sangil Kim and Kuang Jen Wu at LLNL, the team includes Heidi Schreuder-Gibson at U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, Timothy Swager at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Jerry Shan at Rutgers University, and Robert Praino at Chasm Technologies, Inc. of Canton, Mass.

UMass Amherst

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