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http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nanotech-03zd.html
Dupont Joins Effort To Use Nanotech To Enhance Safety Of Soldiers
Cambridge - May 27, 2003
The U.S. Army Research Office and MIT recently initiated the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN) -- a $50 million and 150-person initiative that will serve as the Army's center of expertise in the application of nanotechnology.
Specifically, DuPont researchers are developing revolutionary nanotechnology-based materials that can be used in field-ready products, including innovative and protective lightweight uniforms and "smart" gear.
examples of "smart" functionality include:
change colors on command to camouflage in changing environments -- even manipulate light to make soldiers invisible in the field.
change a shirtsleeve into a splint or a pant leg into a rigid cast in the field if a soldier is injured.
possess built-in sensors so that each soldier's physical conditions and location in battlefields can be monitored at distant command posts.
weave radio communications materials directly into the uniform's fabric ? providing soldiers flexibility and lighter loads.
automatically administer medicines and transmit vital signs to distant medics ? who could then potentially perform medical triage on soldiers in the field.
provide impact protection materials and systems including ballistic and shrapnel.
provide chemical and biological protection materials and systems.
DuPont service to the U.S. government spans 200 years, starting in 1802 with Thomas Jefferson urging founder E.I. du Pont to start a business in Delaware to manufacture black powder for the American's need of a domestic supply of high-quality gun powder. In addition, when astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon, he wore a space suit of 25 separate layers -- 23 layers were DuPont materials.
Dupont has a serious history in developing new technologies- and they developed much of the technology of our modern space suits. Might we see a new space suit for next generation astronauts come from this? I bolded those areas I thought might also apply to the needs of operating in a space environment.
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