nanotechnology in military applications

8/10/2019 Nanotechnology in Military Applications

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NANO-TECHNOLOGY IN MILITARY

APPLICATIONS

Presented by

Aman Gupta (ee-1100102)


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MOTIVATION

Today, the majority of world population is still dependent on the slowly-

improving and decades old manufacturing technologies. As a result of which

we are still living in a world of mundane materials.

Contrary to all this, nanotechnology can change the paradigm. With the help

of it we can replace the heavy burden on a soldiers shoulders by light armor

among several other such improvements.

The military use of nanotechnology should lead to higher protection, more

lethality(ability of weapon to kill), longer endurance and better self-

supporting capacities of future soldiers.


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NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NATIONALDEFENSE

What can nanotechnology do for the military? Nanotechnologyresearchin the following areas can help the military:

Clothing with greater tolerance for temperature changes

Increase surveillance(secret watching) for better protection

Smaller cameras Cheap, small (miniaturization), and more effective weapons

Change shape of objects, i.e. armor-like fabric

Invisibility

Faster intensive medical help

Lighter, faster aircraft which use less fuel Submarines and planes that can go undetected by radar


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MATERIALS FOR WEAPONS Lightweight:

High strength nanocomposite plastics and biomimic

(human bone type) structures to reduce weight .

Smart components:

Components with built-in condition and firing

monitoring sensors, such as fiber bragg.

Dust repellent /strain resistance/ fire resistance cloths for warfare.

Biosensors can be used to monitor a soldiers health. Nano sized

silicon carbide particles for physical protection.

Super penetrator materials:

Nanostructured cone material that sharpens upon

impact or gives additional damage


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FIBER BRAGG

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a type of distributed Bragg reflector

constructed in a short segment of optical fiber that reflects particular

wavelengths of light and transmits all others.

Reference :

http://www.fbgs.com/website/fbgs/assets/images/FBG_principle_1.jpg


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MORE BODY ARMOR

Another new nano-armor is called "smart body armor. It

weaves thin pads or cloth from

fibers that can sense the impact

of a bullet

and automatically stiffen. This

material would be even more resistant to

penetration and less cumbersome than the

ceramic-plate armor troops wear now.

Reference:

http://www.turtleskin.com/Body-Armor/Body-Armor-Carrier-Design.aspx


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NT IN AEROSPACE MATERIALS

Bulk metals with some nanoscale structure are already

widely used in aircraft manufacturing.

This is particularly noticeable for properties which are crucial

for materials used in aircraft - primarily yield strength, tensile

strength and corrosion resistance, coupled with low density

which helps keep the total weight of the aircraft down.


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NT IN AEROSPACE MATERIALS

POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Various nanomaterials have been used as fillermaterials to enhance the properties of structuraland non-structural polymers used in aircraft

construction. The most commonly usednanomaterials include carbon nanotubes,nanofibres, and graphene.

Carbon nanotubes in particular have been shownto give excellent advantages when used as fillersin various polymers, due to their exceptionalstiffness, toughness, and unique electrical

properties.


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POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Reference:

http://www.fch.vutbr.cz/cs/laboratore/kompozity/nanocomposites.html


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REMOTE AND UNMANNED GUIDANCE

With nanotechnology advanced sensor and wireless

communication capabilities are becoming possible, e.g.via distributed ad-hoc distributed sensor networks. This

enables new functionalities:

Teleweapons: expanding sensor capabilities and wirelesscommunication enables remotely operated weapons.

Reference:

http://wiki.landscapetoolbox.org/lib/exe/

detail.php/remote_sensor_types:uas_1.j

pg?id=remote_sensor_types%3Aunman

ned_aerial_vehicle


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EXPLOSIVE DETECTION

The explosives typically used by terrorists and insurgents only giveoff incredibly small amounts of detectable gas. Existing systems

which are capable of detecting compounds in the gas phase at such

low levels are large, unwieldy and very expensive. They also have

limited sensitivity and selectivity - there is no way to be certain which

explosive substance has been detected.

Electronic Nose Sensors

Electronic noses have been developed

which can detect and identify

incredibly small quantities of

airborne chemicals.

Reference:

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/201

1/04/army-asks-ara-to-develop.html


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EXPLOSIVE DETECTION

Sensors made from

functionalized carbon

nanotubes can be used

to selectively detect

incredibly smallconcentrations of gas

phase molecules.

The capability to detect traces of explosives

sensitively, selectively and rapidly could be of greatbenefit for applications relating to civilian national

security and military needs.

Reference:

http://www.azonano.com/images/Article_Images/ImageForArticle_3089 2 .


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QUANTUM STEALTH

Quantum Stealth is a material that

renders the target completely

invisible by bending light wavesaround the target. The material

removes not only your visual,

infrared (night vision) and thermal

signatures but also the targetsshadow.

Reference:

http://www.hyperstealth.com/Quantum-Stealth/


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NANO FINGERPRINTS

This nanotechnology has the ability to verify passports ID

cards and other documents such as birth certificates with

just a scan.

Unique patterns made from tiny, randomly scattered silver

nanowires have been created in an attempt to authenticate

goods and tackle the growing problem of counterfeiting.

Reference:

http://www.indiatimes.com/technology/scie

nce/nano-fingerprints-to-secure-credit-

cards-144752.html


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APPLICATIONS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Nano Fibre

Nano food

Nano Machines

Nano Energetic materials(nEMs)


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NANO FIBRE

Figure shows how much smaller

nanofibers are compared to a human hair,

which is 50-150 m and shows the size of

a pollen particle compared to nanofibers.

Reference :-

http://www.engr.utk.edu/mse/Textiles/Nanofiber%20Nonwovens.htm


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NANO FIBRE

Nanofibre body cloth suit increases solider capability because

it cant pass air.

NT in cloths nonwoven composite fabrics can be made 25%

lighter and stronger than current woven military uniform

fabrics.

They can be made to exhibit over 3 times the air permeability

or breathability of the current woven military uniform fabrics.

Nano-silver socks/undergarments will remain hygienic for

days in war scenario, where it is impossible to change

undergarments.


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NANO FOOD

NT enable food will last more without getting rotten,

these foods are ideal for war where supply of food isdifficult.

Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make

a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food

safety, and the health benefits food delivers.

Nanotechnology will transform the entire food industry in

the next 20 years.

Silver packed food withstand days together without

damage.

These foods can be used in disaster recovery teams, in

war and hash areas like very high altitude areas where


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NANO ENERGETIC MATERIALS(NEMS)

Nanoscale energetic materials (nEMs) offers much higher energy

densities, faster rate of energy release, greater stability and more

security.

Batteries used for combat gadgets withnEMs

definitely have muchless weight and a relief to soldiers.

nEMs reduce battery weight by 20% to 30% which mean soldiers to

carry less weight in war.


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FUTURE APPLICATIONS

The military use of NT should lead to higher protection, longer

endurance and better self-supporting capacities of future soldiers.Nanofiber composites would allow stronger, more heat-resistant, but

much lighter materials for structures and engines. Vehicles would

become lighter, faster, and more quick moving, while consuming

less fuel. The main future applications are:-

Electro Chromic Camouflage Warships

Condition Monitoring

Artificial Muscles

Nano Medic


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ELECTRO CHROMIC CAMOUFLAGE

With NT electro chromic camouflage can be achieved, by which soldiers

can disappear to, seen by necked eye.

Fabric made of Electro-chromic camouflage, which changes coloursinstantly to blend in with the surroundings.

Nano enabled paint currently developing a special paint that makesdrones, missiles, or aircraft simply disappear, or to be more precise,they become very difficult to detect.

NT developed envelopes the object, absorbs the radio waves emittedby the radar, and releases them as heat energy scattered in space.

In doing so, the material disguises the object, making it difficult toidentify by Radar.


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WarshipsThe U.S. Navy is getting a next-generation all-

electric warship thanks to nanotechnology. This

new technology will control the ship and lead to

major improvements in effectiveness, survivability

and cost savings. The space needed for energy

production on warships will be reducedsignificantly.

This will free onboard

space so that it can be

used for other functions.

http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence/Defence%202004-0022.htmhttp://gizmodo.com/337377/navy-developing-all+electric-warship

http://www.shipz.com/Battleship-Pearl_warship_in_port.jpg

Reference:


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CONDITION MONITORING

Modern maintenance philosophy is based on on-line monitoring and e-

maintenance.

Nano Medic

If a soldier is injured in the arm or leg, thanks to nano-fibers in the uniform,

the fabric would constrict into a tourniquet (Tourniquetis a constricting orcompressing device, specifically a bandage, used to control venous andarterial circulation to an extremity for a period of time.).

This will be a real life- saver, because half of all battlefield deaths aredue to massive blood loss before wounded soldiers can be treated.

Reference:

http://www.nanoandme.org/nano-

products/medical/


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INDUSTRY USES NT IN MILITARY

The government support provided is classified under technology initiativestaken and nanotech research where as corporate involvement is discussed

based on the associations and consortiums formed.

DRDO was also looking into the possibilities of using carbon composites inmaking military aircraft, tanks and arms.

Cygnus has prepared a report on Indian Nanotechnology by taking an insight

into the Indian and global markets, and developments happening in the industry.


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CONCLUSION

The presentation discusses about various nanotechnology

military applications, its need and uses for military purposes,

the applications which are under development (including

Nanofiber, Nanofood and NanoMachines) and lastly about

the main future applications related with the military (suchas Electro Chromic Camouflage,Warships, Condition

Monitoring, Nano Medic & Artificial Muscles.)


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THANK YOU

nanotechnology in military applications

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