Date of Award

2020

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

The National Institute of Justice or NIJ Standard 0115.00 is the standard for minimum performance requirements for body armor resistant to slashes and stabs. Dr. Nassersharif, selected and assigned the team to design a vest that is spike-resistant, lightweight, and affordable. While designing, the team followed the design specifications given by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to determine test criteria and energy levels. The team focused on utilizing shear thickening fluid (STF) when designing body armor. Ideally, the use of STF will produce a lightweight, affordable protective garment that is stab-resistant. This design requires the use of a dilatant fluid or STF because STF behaves like a solid when under a sudden impact, as the strain rate is increased, the viscosity increases. STF can be created using cheap materials such as cornstarch and polyvinyl alcohol. Keeping the price of the armor low is important to help compete with major industries who charge up to $1,000 for a level 3 stab resistant vest. The STF is able to be packaged in 3D printed TPU to keep the armor flexible and comfortable. Using a pneumatic cannon to fire a spike, the team is able to perform trials to determine if the armor meets the NIJ energy standard and criteria.

Comments

Sponsor and Faculty Advisor: Bahram Nassersharif

Graduate Assistant: Jorge Araujo

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