Protecting Humans from Blast Induced Shock Waves

Dr. Ken-An Lou, ArmorWorks, LLC,

Richard Zimmermann, Zerad, Inc.

Abstract:
People are exposed to blast over pressure (BOP) in a variety of environments.  These include weapons training, combat, terrorist attacks, mishaps during demining operations, and industrial accidents.  Auditory injury can be serious, but is not life threatening. BOP can also create severe non-auditory injuries. Most susceptible are the organs and passageways containing air. Severe, and even fatal, injuries to lung tissue can be sustained even when there is no visible exterior injury.

Our SBIR program sponsored by the US Army, investigated means of protecting the human body from BOP.  Human tolerance to BOP, past research, and potential materials and combinations of materials capable of providing protection from BOP were studied.  Results showed development of a relatively lightweight and low cost but still effective protective equipment is feasible

To return to the Program, use the back button above