American scientists are working on the creation of the "uniform of the future" - an ultralight "overalls" that not only protects against moisture, explosions and bullets, but also monitors the condition and health of the soldier and helps to navigate the terrain. These developments are carried out by the Institute of Soldiers Nanotechnology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
At this institute, which, by the way, is one of the leading research institutes in the world, the Institute of Soldier Nanotechnologies has been functioning since 2002. This institute was organized through a five-year contract between the US Armed Forces Research Directorate and MIT. The amount of this contract was $ 50 million. After the project was recognized as successful, the contract was extended for another 5 years. The purpose of the institute is the introduction and development of nanotechnology in the provision of the army, in order to drastically reduce the number of casualties among soldiers during the conduct of hostilities. The ultimate goal is to create a new "army of the XXI century." This army will have high-tech workwear that combines comfort in use, light weight and high functionality. All of this has a bulletproof coverall that monitors health, relieves pain when injured, and responds instantly to biological and chemical agents.
Now this whole picture seems fantastic to us, but in the future, the use of nanotechnology may make it real. Such equipment would be able to protect soldiers from environmental threats and from enemy weapons, and would also detect natural diseases in time. According to the specialists of the institute, nanotechnology is the most correct approach when creating the "outfit of the future". Their very idea is based on the miniaturization of equipment to reduce its weight. For example, today a large radio transmitter, which is worn on a strap over the shoulder, is being replaced by a "tag", which is no larger than a button on the collar. The traditional waterproof raincoat-tent can be replaced with an ultra-thin permanent coating, which is applied not only to clothes, but also to any items of a soldier. In addition, the nanoworld lives by its own laws, which differ from the principles of the macrocosm, therefore, devices and materials with very unusual properties may appear in its conditions.
Now the institute is conducting research in five directions. The first is the creation of very lightweight multifunctional nanomaterials and nanofibers. The second is medical support in uniforms. The third is explosion protection. Fourth, the development of methods of protection against biological and chemical weapons. And, finally, the fifth is the entry of nanosystems into a single protection system.
So, in the first direction, with the help of nanolayers, scientists are trying to modify the surface of ordinary materials, while not increasing the weight of the fabric itself. Such layers make the fabric more resistant to the threat of an aggressive environment. Researchers are also trying to embed nanoscale semiconductor particles (quantum dots) into the surface, which depend on composition, morphology and size. The use of these points will open up the possibility of creating ultralight light detectors, information storage devices and light emitters. The soldier's integrated nano overalls into a single system will help him navigate much better in unknown terrain. Moreover, quantum dots act as sensors to recognize the composition of the environment. This is very important for the soldier, as it helps to detect biological and chemical weapons. The research of carbon nanotubes and the creation of multifunctional nanomaterials with specific properties have similar goals.
The second direction is the introduction of devices in uniforms that constantly monitor the health of a soldier, and also improve the methods of field medicine. This can be helped by polymeric materials that have variable flexibility. They can become - in case of damage to the neck or head - a restriction of movement, and in case of fractures - a splint.
The further development of these technologies is the creation of an automatic treatment system and the development of methods of operative diagnostics, which are life-threatening conditions. To apply drugs to wounds, special fibers are being developed that contain anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substances. These substances, if necessary, are released as quickly as possible, even in combat conditions. The next step of improvement will be the introduction of thin films of proteins that will heal tissues and stimulate growth. Methods for the development of such tools are a combination of the design of nanostructured materials, genetic engineering, bioinformatics. In addition, the project includes the improvement of post-traumatic recovery methods, or rather, the nano-delivery of drugs to the brain, to soldiers who have suffered a head injury.
Given the very high mortality rate from explosions, which is characteristic of modern wars, the institute is studying how shrapnel wounds and explosions affect the brain and other human tissues. And scientists are also developing materials that can protect the body from dangerous consequences. Also, scientists of the institute are improving methods for detecting dangerous biological and chemical agents in the environment, and they are also studying methods of protecting the body from such effects.
