Hope College Engineering Department Research Experiences for Undergraduates Summer 2008 Project Summary

 The basis of this project is the research and development personal ballistic interdiction by the integration of lightweight, inexpensive, readily available materials.  The core of the project balances itself on a unique fiber that is extremely shock resistant, strong in tensile strength and durable. An incoming round is intercepted by an energy absorbing and dispersing core bleeding off the majority of the kinetic energy. The surrounding structure takes in the remaining energy and supports the core for a repeated impact. The entire ballistic plate is coated in a elastomeric coating that provides both shock absorption and sealant to the plate. In testing this combination proved to be extremely effective against all rounds, offering more protection than many currently available solutions at a cost often ½ or ¾ of competing products.

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