Nanotechnology Makes Way for Cyborg Soldiers
Once again, MIT teams up with the military to lower casualty costs.
By Antoine Henry

The final phase of so many soldier’s missions is a cold and silent patriotic consolation: a casket shrouded in a flag. But the development of ballistics-proof suits as thin as those flags is expected to ensure their protection o­n the battle field, according to a research program at MIT.

The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) was founded in 2002 with a $50 thousand grant from the U.S. Army. ISN is focusing their research o­n ballistic proof uniforms that would be able to detect the presence of bio weapons, monitor health conditions, and give first aid antidotes to wounds.

Nanotechnology’s most unique feature is its microscopic size. Divide o­ne strand of human hair into 50,000, and then you have a nanometer. The value of nanotechnology is that miniaturized mechanisms that are able to modify molecular structures could work automatically and gain new abilities.

Large objects such as the radio–sized chemical sensors that military bases utilize could now be miniturized, and made portable. Some devices are as large as a tent, limiting their purpose to stationary use. ISN scientists hope to reduce sensors to the size of a dime so they can incorporate them into uniforms that would enable soldiers to know what potentially harmful particles are floating in their environment.

With the U.S. at war, ISN’s focus is o­n the soldiers. The ISN’s motto is “to enhance soldier survivability,” and ISN’s media spokeswoman Eve Downing, says that the mission of the project is strictly for soldier protection, and not for any offensive means.

ISN’s progress is accessible to the public, and recently a team of MIT graduates and undergraduates won the competition for concept design of the advanced soldier’s uniform. The winning design has traits resembling the suit of Darth Vader – black kevlar pads covering a tight body suit, fully equipped with boots and an integral helmet. This robot styled soldier sports a strange four-barrel gun, but the group will refine the prototype as they are updated about the nano–suit project’s progress.

The nano–uniform’s properties resemble that of a chameleon. Scientists are looking to create a dynamic armor that can change its properties according to the environment. The suit would have absorbing materials to counter ballistic penetration. In order to do this, a lightweight and flexible substance is needed that could instantly turn rigid upon impact.

To find such a substance, scientists are studying the behaviors of magnetic polarization of a fluid to a solid. ISN’s team hopes to infuse magnetized fluid currents into the suit’s fiber. o­ne way for the non–genius to grasp this concept is to picture a glove. If the glove is thrown at a large magnet, it would instantly become stiff. Magnetization would modify the atomic composition of the fiber so the solidification would increase the strength of the kevlar while the rest of the suit remains flexible enough for mobility. This would reduce the weight that soldiers now carry o­n combat.

Currently, soldiers wear a system of kevlar and ceramic–plated body armor in the form of a vest that weighs more than 100 pounds, limiting the armor to o­nly their arms and legs. Hence, ISN researchers want the new material to be worn o­n the entire body.

To make this possible, ISN investigators hope to find clues among the nano structure in nature. Some scientists found evidence that the composition of marine conch shells, turtles’ carapaces, insect exoskeletons and spider silk will guide their research. Spider silk is o­ne of the strongest materials in the world because it stretches before it breaks. As a result, ISN researchers already built a silk producing machine in order to test ways to make suits stiff, stretchy, light and durable.

ISN research also focuses o­n sensor studies that could give physiological functions to the suit. If done right, the suit could regulate the soldier’s health–state as the fibers detected chemical and biological weapons in the atmosphere. It could also stabilize optimum temperature, blood pressure, and bring remedies to open wounds. Downing suggests that the uniform could have an automatic treatment kit with an antidote system injected into the body o­nce a toxin is detected. The data and physiological state of each soldier would be monitered at a central headquarters that would return data to the suit.

The ISN has already succeeded in enabling fibers to automatically remain waterproof. The particles absorb water and then use its electrical force to reject what it absorbed. Soldiers would be impervious to humidity, and ISN scientists expect that technologies will utilized by the army in the next few years.

ISN spokespeople say that nanotechnology will not remain in hands of the army for long. The waterproofing layers could be used for winter coats, and firefighters, police, and athletes are expected to use them first. To reach this goal, the ISN partnered with other industries such as Raytheon, Dupont and the Mass General/Brigham and Women Hospital.

Downing stresses that nanotechnology does not come without its flaws. When sensoral objects are so miniaturized there may be difficulties in controlling their behavior in a new environment. o­ne precaution is that nano particles could seep through people’s skin, and if these auto–acting particles enter the human body, they may transfer their function to organs in the body, and damage them. Thus, it is crucial for scientists to consider the outcome of the elements they manipulate at the same time they weigh their possible benefits.

The ambitious goals of the ISN represent the primary stage of the seeds which have been planted into the booming fields of this industry. If the indications of the ISN are true, the advancements would “suit” not o­nly the soldier, but everyday citizens as well.

If we want to take a walk o­n a planet intoxicated by overproduction, biological warfare, or horrific pollution, we can adapt to the behaviors of our modern planet with our nano–suits.

Other articles by Antoine Henry.

POST A COMMENT

Subject
Name
Email *
Body
Verification (because of stupid spambots)

Note: HTML doesn't work.      * Optional.

COMMENTS

Proudly hosted by .