Abstract: A technique for determining armor weight requirements for a specific set of ballistic threats at specific stand-offs or velocities allows for the selection of armor that is not excessively heavy, thus improving mobility, comfort, and survivability.

Abstract: A transparent composite armor is made of tens to hundreds or even thousands of thin layers of material each with a thickness of 10-500 ?m. An appropriate amount of impedance mismatch between the layers causes some reflection at each interface but limit the amplitude of the resulting tensile wave below the tensile strength of the constituent materials. The result is an improvement in ballistic performance and that will result is a significant impact in reducing size, weight, and volume of the armor.

Abstract: An armor system includes an armor plate, and an appliqué affixed to an exterior of the armor plate, wherein the appliqué has a density increasing in a direction towards the armor plate and configured to minimize reflection of a blast wave from the armor plate. The coupling system comprises a binder material that surrounds filler particles configured to create an impedance gradient parallel to the impulse propagation direction.

Abstract: Body armor includes a first armor plate having a concave rear surface, a second plate having a convex front surface. Contours of the second layer are formed by conforming the contours between the polymer plate and the armor plate into a shape that fills gaps or voids between the concave rear surface of the armor plate, such that the armor plate and the polymer plate form a matched set. In operation, the ceramic armor plate can be used alone, the polymer plate can be used alone, or the hard armor layer and the polymer plate can be used together.

Abstract: An armor system includes an armor plate, and an appliqué affixed to an exterior of the armor plate, wherein the appliqué has a density increasing in a direction towards the armor plate and configured to minimize reflection of a blast wave from the armor plate. Also disclosed are method of making such an armor system.

Abstract: Body armor includes a first armor plate having a concave rear surface, a second plate having a convex front surface. Contours of the second layer are formed by conforming the contours between the polymer plate and the armor plate into a shape that fills gaps or voids between the concave rear surface of the armor plate, such that the armor plate and the polymer plate form a matched set. In operation, the ceramic armor plate can be used alone, the polymer plate can be used alone, or the hard armor layer and the polymer plate can be used together.

Abstract: Body armor includes a first armor plate having a concave rear surface, a second plate having a convex front surface, and optionally, a separate coupling layer configured to fit between the first ceramic armor plate and the polymer plate. The contours of the coupling layer are formed by pressing the coupling layer between the polymer plate and the armor plate into a shape that fills gaps or voids between the concave rear surface of the armor plate and the convex front surface of the polymer plate, such that the armor plate, the polymer plate, and the coupling layer form a matched set. In operation, the ceramic armor plate can be used alone, the polymer plate can be used alone, or the hard armor layer and the polymer plate can be used together with the optional coupling layer positioned between them.

Abstract: A transparent composite armor is made of tens to hundreds or even thousands of thin layers of material each with a thickness of 10-500 ?m. An appropriate amount of impedance mismatch between the layers causes some reflection at each interface but limit the amplitude of the resulting tensile wave below the tensile strength of the constituent materials. The result is an improvement in ballistic performance and that will result is a significant impact in reducing size, weight, and volume of the armor.

Abstract: An armor system includes a plate operably connected to a plunger, one or more solid bars of brittle material operably contained within a channel or tube, wherein the armor system is configured so that upon impact of a blast shock wave upon the plate, the plate transfers the blast shock wave to the plunger and then to the contents of the channel. Optionally, the channel also contains HFRM.

Abstract: An armor system includes an appliqué comprising a high fluid retaining material (HFRM) and a plate configured to hold the appliqué against a compartment, wherein the armor system is adapted so that upon impact of a blast wave upon the plate, the HFRM is vented away from the compartment. The armor system may be adapted to a vehicle. In another embodiment, an armor system includes a plate operably connected to a plunger, one or more rods of brittle material operably contained within a tube, wherein the armor system is adapted so that upon impact of a blast shock wave upon the plate, the plate transfers the blast shock wave to the plunger and then to the contents of the tube. Optionally, the tube also contains HFRM.

Abstract: Body armor includes a first armor plate having a concave rear surface, a second plate having a convex front surface, and optionally, a separate coupling layer configured to fit between the first ceramic armor plate and the polymer plate. The contours of the coupling layer are formed by pressing the coupling layer between the polymer plate and the armor plate into a shape that fills gaps or voids between the concave rear surface of the armor plate and the convex front surface of the polymer plate, such that the armor plate, the polymer plate, and the coupling layer form a matched set. In operation, the ceramic armor plate can be used alone, the polymer plate can be used alone, or the hard armor layer and the polymer plate can be used together with the optional coupling layer positioned between them.

Abstract: An armor system includes an appliqué comprising a high fluid retaining material (HFRM) and a plate configured to hold the appliqué against a compartment, wherein the armor system is adapted so that upon impact of a blast wave upon the plate, the HFRM is vented away from the compartment. The armor system may be adapted to a vehicle. In another embodiment, an armor system includes a plate operably connected to a plunger, one or more rods of brittle material operably contained within a tube, wherein the armor system is adapted so that upon impact of a blast shock wave upon the plate, the plate transfers the blast shock wave to the plunger and thence to the contents of the tube. Optionally, the tube also contains HFRM.

Abstract: An armor system includes an armor plate, and an appliqué affixed to an exterior of the armor plate, wherein the appliqué has a density increasing in a direction towards the armor plate and configured to minimize reflection of a blast wave from the armor plate. Also disclosed are method of making such an armor system.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds and methods of making such organized structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. This invention is further drawn to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes. In particular, it relates to the separation of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes from conducting (or metallic) single-wall carbon nanotubes. It also relates to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes according to their chirality and/or diameter.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds and methods of making such organized structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. This invention is further drawn to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes. In particular, it relates to the separation of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes from conducting (or metallic) single-wall carbon nanotubes. It also relates to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes according to their chirality and/or diameter.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds and methods of making such organized structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. This invention is further drawn to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes. In particular, it relates to the separation of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes from conducting (or metallic) single-wall carbon nanotubes. It also relates to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes according to their chirality and/or diameter.