US tests bulletproof vests that 'last longer after being shot'

The US is testing PUU material, which allows the creation of armor with protection proportional to the damage of the bullet.

US soldiers wear bulletproof vests made from Kevlar and ceramic materials. Illustration: Defense One

The US Army Research Laboratory and the Institute for Military Nanotechnology at the Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts (MIT)introduced the polyurethane elastomer material (PUU), which is considered a breakthrough for bulletproof vest manufacturing technology.

This material is described as 10 times stronger than steel but soft as fabric, with the ability to "get stronger the more you shoot", according to National Interest.

The strength of this material is impressive, but it is its flexibility that sets PUU apart from conventional steel and ceramic armor. PUU works on the same principle as medieval chainmail, where PUU fibers are woven together into a complex network, allowing them to deform and return to their original shape after being subjected to the force of a bullet.

This flexibility allows them to absorb more energy from 7.62x39mm bullets, while also increasing their reusability, instead of having to be discarded like ceramic armor.

Not only that, the unique molecular pattern of PUU makes them not only more durable than conventional armor, but the protective effect is also proportional to the energy of the bullet. Accordingly, the greater the damage of the bullet, the greater the protection ability of the PUU armor to the user.

Researchers say PUU could be used in a variety of protective gear, including bulletproof vests, face shields, mine-resistant boots and gloves. While PUU is still in testing, the US military plans to deploy body armor made from the material more quickly than previous devices.

According to VNE