Nanotechnology in the
Military
National Defense
Homeland Security
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From the east coast to the
west coast, from the north
to the south, from the
army to the navy, from the
air force to the marines.
How can small science help us protect
such a big country?
http://www.army.com/wallpaper/wallpaper.html
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/images/AS_funerals/pages/image49_Navy.html
http://www.usmilitary.com/266/battery-company-receives-order-from-us-air-force/
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http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/images/marine_birthday_2.jpg
How Big Is Nano?
This is one
nanometer!
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http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html
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http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html
Nanotechnology in National
Defense
What can nanotechnology do for the military? Nanotechnology research
in the following areas can help the military:
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Clothing with greater tolerance for temperature changes
Increase surveillance for better protection
Smaller cameras
Cheap, small, and more effective weapons
Exploration of the oceans
Augmenting human performance
Scratch resistant surfaces
Stronger, thinner and cheaper glass
Change shape of objects, i.e. armor-like fabric
Coatings that don't degrade (doesn't need repainting)
"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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“Poof”
Where’d They Go?
How could you become
invisible? Here are a couple of
nano-ways:
Scientists are manipulating light
so soldiers seem to disappear.
Scientists are also working on
"electrochromic camouflage" –
fabric which changes colors
instantly to blend in with the
surroundings.
See how it is done.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_30/b3843083.htm?chan=search
http://beverlytang.com/archives/imaging/chameleon_clothing.html
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=6080.php
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Armor As Strong as a
…
Snail?
Sea snails and abalone
are guiding scientists in their
search for strong and
lightweight armor. Sea Shells
and Abalone
Others, besides the military, will
benefit from these new
nanoscience developments:
firefighters, police officers, and
other emergency responders.
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Abalone shells are
strong and lightweight.
They can repair
themselves, too.
NANO-ARMOR
Another method for creating
super strong materials uses
tungsten, not carbon, for the
basic material.
This onion-like
layering is why this
new material is so
strong and durable.
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
ballistic protection personal body armor, bullet proof
vests, vehicle armor, shields, helmets, and protective
enclosures.
http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence%202005/Defence%202005-0018.htm
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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 or
shrapnel and automatically stiffen. This
material would be even more resistant to
penetration and less cumbersome than the
ceramic-plate armor troops wear now.
Concerns about biochemical-warfare have
resulted in exploration into nano-size umbrellas
that open to seal the cloth's pores, making it
impervious to airborne chemicals and
pathogens. That would be much easier and
lighter than the current equipment required.
http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1574R-015383
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7038686.stm
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Nano-Medic
In addition, sensors would provide
the soldier's vital signs and
location to medics via radio. Until
the new nano-sensored garment is
ready, soldiers will wear an
adhesive chest patch fitted with
sensors and a tiny radio.
If a soldier is injured in the arm or leg, thanks to
nano-fibers in the uniform, the fabric would
constrict into a tourniquet. This will be a real lifesaver, because half of all battlefield deaths
are due to massive blood loss before
wounded soldiers can be treated.
http://medgadget.com/archives/2005/03/army_develops_i.html
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/jul2005/a071805ms2.ht
ml
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http://z.about.com/d/firstaid/1/5/7/3/-/-/Bleeding016_400x384.jpg
Artificial Muscles
Artificial muscles that could
enable soldiers to leap tall walls, if not
buildings, are in the works, too. One type
uses nanotechnology and electricity.
It flexes when jolted by electricity,
then relaxes when the electricity is
turned off. So far, though, its
reactions are much too slow.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-new-nanofrontier&page=2
http://www.scienceahead.com/entry/top-21-wearable-technologies/
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http://jpl.nasa.gov/news/features-print.cfm?feature=492
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.
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
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Nanoscience in Homeland
Security
New Nano-Spies
Big fighter jets are ‘so yesterday’. The nex
generation of fighter jets are nano-sized
jets, the size of a seed, that can pretty
much go anywhere.
Scientists are working on this
revolutionary, remote-controlled nano
air vehicle. They will be able to collect
military intelligence both indoors and
outdoors. One weighs no more than 10
grams and can carry a payload of up to
2 grams. The will help protect the lives
and enhance the operational
effectiveness of soldiers and first
http://uk.gizmodo.com/2006/07/21/nano_spy_plane_gets_green_ligh.html
http://hsdailywire.com/single.php?id=6234
responders.
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Anti-Toxin
Toxin Guard is a
product that uses
nanotechnology on
packaging films to
detect microorganisms like
pathogens, which can
cause illness or
disease.
http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence/Defence%202004-0002.htm
http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/10th_grade/disease_epidemics/science/pathogen.html
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Nano-‘Fingerprints’
Next time you have a chance
to see paper at the nanoscale,
you’ll see that it has a
‘fingerprint’.
Using nanotechnology scientists can recognize
the inherent patterns within all materials such as
paper, plastic, metal and ceramics. Each
'fingerprint' is impossible to duplicate and can be easily
read using a low-cost portable laser scanner.
This nanotechnology has the ability to verify passports, ID
cards and other documents such as birth certificates with
just a scan. It can even be used on product packaging. The
accuracy of measurement is greater than tests for DNA, a
reliability of at least one million trillion.
http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence%202005/Defence%202005-0011.htm
http://www.ingeniatechnology.com/how_it_works.php
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Planning Your
Presentation
To prepare for your
presentation, answer
these questions using
reference materials
which can include the
websites linked to this
webquest:
1. What can be done to
maximize the chances that
humans will benefit from,
rather than be harmed by
these new developments?
2. If we can develop these
technologies, should we?
Why?
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Social, Environmental and
Ethical Concerns
1. Might these nanotechnology developments in
the military infringe on human rights?
2. Could any of them decrease privacy of
individuals?
3. Could the use of nanotechnology for the military
have unwanted and negative environmental
effects?
4. What economic impact could the use of
nanotechnology in the military have on
producers, consumers, and other industries?
Might they be negative or positive?
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What About Your Rights?
If so, are these developments
more important than
•Your privacy?
•Your rights as a citizen?
•Your rights as a human being?
Are the answers somewhere in between?
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Military Websites
These are websites which are a good place to start in looking for
more information on nanotechnology in the military. Then use the
general website page linked at the bottom of this page. It is full of
nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours. After
exhausting these resources you may also wish to use your search
engine and appropriate key words and phrases to find more
information.
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http://www.discovernano.northwestern.edu/affect/applications_content/security
http://www.voyle.net/Nano%20Defence%202005/Main%20Defence%202005%20.htm
http://web.mit.edu/isn/
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/03_30/b3843083.htm?chan=search
smart materials:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2003/2003017_9999.htm?chan=sea
rch
What are the military's research priorities?
http://www.acq.osd.mil/ddre/research/research.html
General websites link
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More Help
If you would like help breaking down
your research into steps, click on the
help button for an outline.
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