Abstract: An insulating fabric which substantially prevents propagation of fire uses a blend of modified aluminum oxide-silica fibers and organic fibers in a multi-layer blanket.

Abstract: In an aspect, the invention features a ballistic-resistant panel including at least one layer of ballistic material having a phase change material disposed thereon and an outer cover having inner surface that forms a pocket and an outer surface having an inner face and an outer face. The ballistic material has an inner surface and an outer surface and is disposed within the pocket of the outer cover with the ballistic material inner surface adjacent to the outer cover inner face.

Abstract: A construction system for steel-frame buildings wherein steel shipping containers are used to furnish structural components of the building. A building includes a substantially horizontal deck and a plurality of substantially vertical columns, where the deck includes a base of a shipping container. A side wall of the shipping container is adapted to form a portion of the deck adjacent to the base. A plurality of shipping containers may be arranged in a stacked configuration so that the base of each container forms part of one deck in a multi-story building. The multi-story building may include an elevator contained in an elevator shaft and attached to the building; the elevator shaft is formed from a shipping container standing on an end wall thereof.

Abstract: Dense, highly stable, high performance ballistic material comprises at least one woven layer of ballistic grade fiber (preferably a stack of such layers) and at least one nonwoven layer of fabric which is entangled with the woven or unidirectional layer by needle felting. The resulting core material does not require assembly of individual woven layers during subsequent manufacture of ballistic articles and exhibits excellent ballistic performance at low areal densities and thicknesses.