NANO-TECHNOLOGY IN MILITARY

APPLICATIONS

Presented by
Aman Gupta (ee-1100102)

MOTIVATION
Today, the majority of world population is still dependent on the slowlyimproving 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 selfsupporting capacities of future soldiers.

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN NATIONAL DEFENSE

What can nanotechnology do for the military? Nanotechnology
research in 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

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

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

NANO ARMOR

Another method for creating super strong materials uses tungsten, not
carbon, for the basic material.

It is five times stronger than steel and at least twice as strong as any
impact-resistant material currently in use as
protective gear. It has withstood the equivalent of
dropping four diesel locomotives onto an area the size of a
fingernail.

Possible applications for this new nano material are bullet proof vests
(A bulletproof vest is an item of personal armor that helps absorb the
impact from firearm-fired projectiles), vehicle armor, shields, helmets, and
protective enclosures.

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

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.

NT IN AEROSPACE MATERIALS
POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

Various nanomaterials have been used as filler

materials to enhance the properties of structural
and non-structural polymers used in aircraft
construction. The most commonly used
nanomaterials include carbon nanotubes,
nanofibres, and graphene.

Carbon nanotubes in particular have been shown

to give excellent advantages when used as fillers
in various polymers, due to their exceptional
stiffness, toughness, and unique electrical
properties.

POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES

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

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 wireless
communication 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

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION
The explosives typically used by terrorists and insurgents only give
off 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

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION
Sensors made from
functionalized carbon
nanotubes can be used
to selectively detect
incredibly small
concentrations of gas
phase molecules.
The capability to detect traces of explosives
sensitively, selectively and rapidly could be of great
benefit for applications relating to civilian national
security and military needs.
Reference:
http://www.azonano.com/images/Article_Images/ImageForArticle_3
089(2).jpg

QUANTUM STEALTH

Quantum Stealth is a material that

renders the target completely
invisible by bending light waves
around the target. The material
removes not only your visual,
infrared (night vision) and thermal
signatures but also the targets
shadow.
Reference:
http://www.hyperstealth.com/Quantum-Stealth/

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-creditcards-144752.html

APPLICATIONS UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Nano Fibre
Nano food
Nano Machines
Nano Energetic materials(nEMs)

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

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.

NANO FOOD

NT enable food will last more without getting rotten,

these foods are ideal for war where supply of food is
difficult.

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

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 with nEMs definitely have much
less weight and a relief to soldiers.

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

carry less weight in war.

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

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 colours

instantly to blend in with the surroundings.

Nano enabled paint currently developing a special paint that makes

drones, 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 emitted

by the radar, and releases them as heat energy scattered in space.

In doing so, the material disguises the object, making it difficult to

identify by Radar.

Warships
The U.S. Navy is getting a next-generation allelectric 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 reduced
significantly.
This will free onboard
space so that it can be
used for other functions.
Reference:

http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence/Defence%202004-0022.htm
http://gizmodo.com/337377/navy-developing-all+electric-warship
http://www.shipz.com/Battleship-Pearl_warship_in_port.jpg

CONDITION MONITORING

Modern maintenance philosophy is based on on-line monitoring and emaintenance.

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 (Tourniquet is a constricting or
compressing device, specifically a bandage, used to control venous and
arterial circulation to an extremity for a period of time.).

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

Reference:
http://www.nanoandme.org/nanoproducts/medical/

INDUSTRY USES NT IN MILITARY

The government support provided is classified under technology initiatives
taken 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 in
making 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.

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 (such
as Electro Chromic Camouflage,Warships, Condition
Monitoring, Nano Medic & Artificial Muscles.)

THANK YOU