We're working on an origami based
deployable ballistic barrier that will
keep emergency personnel safe during a
hostile situation. We met with federal
agent that often use current shields and
asked what could help them to better do
their job
current products out there are about 90
pounds so that's pretty heavy for one person
to carry, and it only protects one person.
Our goal was to go for 50 pounds and
protect 2-3 people.
This pattern is Yoshimura crease pattern,
and when it deploys it provides these
nice angles which we hope to be even
more effective shape for a barrier. So
going from paper to other materials can
be really challenging. It has 12 layers
of Kevlar with an aluminum core in the
middle. The students did a lot of
calculations, and 12 layers is really
what you need to be able to withstand a
bullet from a handgun. One of the great
things about this particular fold
pattern is that it opens and closes
really easily and in an emergency situation
you've got to be able to just get that
thing open and get in the way. Today's
objective was to see if it worked. If it
actually stops bullets.
My first thought was did he miss? So I went back
to high-speed camera that had been filming and
the bullet sunk right in
The range is hot. It's exciting to see that
it did stop the bullets,
and we were able to successfully
demonstrate with 9 millimeter and 357 magnum 44
magnum pistols. The federal agents that
saw our initial prototype were really
excited about it.
Their response was this is a revolutionary product
My dad is actually a police officer himself.
This could be something that could
be used by him or other officers that could
prevent injury, even save their lives.
