Composite Armor gets Big Defense Funding

The US government is starting to put a good deal of money behind composite material research and development. Just a few weeks ago 2010 Defense budget was accepted, and with this came a good deal of special composite material projects, some of which I have discussed before here. In addition, here are some more announcements of composite related defense funding (almost all for composite armor):

- University of Delaware has been awarded $1,600,000 to spur the development of the next-generation composite technologies to support advanced watercraft that will be faster, stronger, stealthier, less costly, field repairable, have longer service life, and are up-armor capable to operate. Source

- The University of Delaware will additionally receive $3,200,000 for continued research to allow the Army's Composites Applied Research and Technology Center to successfully insert more durable, modular, lighter and protective composite armor and structures into its tactical vehicle fleets more quickly and affordably. Source

- INVISTA S.a.r.l. will receive $3,200,000 to increase the safety and protection of soldiers' uniforms with improved flame resistant, durable, lower cost materials to protect against Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs). Source

- Armor Dynamics is set to receive $1.6 million to develop advanced composite and reactive armor. Source

- $3.9 million for Tex Tech Industries to produce Ballistic CORE Technology. The Ballistic CORE Technology project provides enhanced protection for troops against fragmentation from blasts and a variety of bullets. Source

- $1.6 million for Hodgdon Defense for research and development to reduce structural weight for high-speed composite craft through the use of lightweight composite materials. Source

- $5.3 million for the University of Maine in Orono. The appropriations funding will support critical programs to include the LGX High Temperature Acoustic Wave Sensors, woody biomass conversion to JP-8 Fuel, ballistic protection for remote forward operating bases, and cellulose nanocomposite technology to support operating base infrastructure and troop protection. Source

- $320 million for the Warren-based Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center and its National Automotive Center. That money will support such research into protecting Army vehicles against rocket propelled grenades and other explosives, strengthening combat and tactical vehicle armor, and developing fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles. Source

- $3.2 million for Air Products to develop stronger and lighter composite armor for military vehicles Source

- $1.6 million for Bosch Rexroth Corporation in Lehigh County to develop a suite of simulators capable of screening and evaluating new materials, light weight structures, and high value subsystems and components on both wheeled and tracked vehicles. Source

- $1.6 million for Lawrence Technological University to develop and test stronger, lighter vehicle armor. Source

In addition to the DoD appropriations bill finding, the Army Research Labratory's is providing a $15 million Army contract to the University of Dayton Research Institute for composite armor systems from the future. Source

Did I forget any other government funding for composite armor?

Photo credit: nevada tubleweed via flickr

Composite Shipping Container

Since the advent of composite materials, and in particular, strong lightweight composite sandwich panels, engineers have been trying to replace the commonly used steel sea-land ISO shipping containers with composite materials.

It seems logical, steel shipping containers are extremely heavy, they spend a good deal of their life in a highly corrosive environment, and they don't last very long. However, the main barrier to entry is the fact that steel cargo containers are dirt cheap, especially as the majority of these containers are manufactured in low labor Asian markets.

As the raw material costs of steel rise, composite materials will have more of a realistic chance. In particular, niche composite containers such as refrigerated containers will likely be the first to be introduced.

Here is an article discussing a development program through the Department of Homeland Security for the design of composite tamper-proof containers. Besides the need for containers to be tamper proof for homeland security reasons, containers that are x-ray transparent will be easier to inspect at ports. Composite material is the viable long-term solution.

It is likely the use of composite shipping containers is inevitable. One aspect that must be kept in the forefront during the design process, is the containers' end of life. Current steel containers are easily recyclable, and the same will need to be true of composite replacements. Perhaps reinforced thermoplastic composites will be the design winner...

Photo Credit: Marc oh! via flicker

U. Maine's Composite Bridge Technology

The University of Maine's AEWC Advanced Composites Center has been know to do some exciting things. Back in February of this year, they announced they were spinning off a company for a composites technology called, "Bridge in a Backpack." Not entirely sure how it works, but it seems they are using hollow tubes and inflating a sort of bladder, curing in place, and later filling with concrete, thus making a structural bridge. Time savings and shipping/logistics savings are a likely draw. Read some more info here.

This new company called, "Advanced Infrastructure Technologies," is planning to build bridges for the Maine Department of Transportation, and it seems the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is giving them a visit this week. Read the announcement here.

Photo Credit (not a composite bridge): Big D2112 via flicker