Flexible Armor Inspired by Fish Scales

Feb-14-15 By studying the geometric arrangement of animal scales, researchers hope to create a body armor that is both lightweight and strong.

Although fish scales have been studied as armor inspiration before, the studies have focused on more on the movement and elasticity of the scales. In contrast, the new approach involves studying how scales of different sizes affect the properties of the armor.

According to Ranajay Ghosh, an associate research scientist in the College of Engineering at Northeastern, the armor begins to show benefits when "the scale material is at least an order of magnitude stiffer than the skin material," Using 3D printing, the team created fish-type scales that were embedded in a soft material. The scales caused the soft material to stiffen and become less penetrable, while still remaining flexible.

More Info about this Invention:

[DISCOVERY.COM]
[NORTHEASTERN.EDU]

---