Bulletproof nurses

    Dec. 11, 2003
    A material strong enough to stop bullets could eventually protect military nurses. A futuristic exhibit at The Fabric Museum and Workshop in Philadelphia features ballistic materials made by Honeywell Performance Fibers.
    This futuristic "Post-Apocalyptic Nurse" uniform uses lightweight, high-strength materials from Honeywell Advanced Materials and Composites. Photo is courtesy of artists Mark Dion and J. Morgan Puett in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia.

    SpectraFlex and Gold Flex soft body-armor materials go into the display's Post-Apocalyptic Nurse uniform. The high-strength materials are in the uniform's harness, a yellow backpacklike carryall wrapping around the shoulder and behind to cover a nurse's back. Besides shielding nurses from attack, the harness is used to transport heavy, bulky, dangerous loads.

    Ballistic materials made with Spectra fiber also are going into bullet-resistant vests for law-enforcement officers in the U.S. and for about 100,000 troops in Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.

    Continue Reading

    Sponsored Recommendations

    June 27, 2025
    Ensure workplace safety and compliance with our comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safety Training course. Learn critical procedures to prevent serious injuries.
    June 27, 2025
    Join our expert webinar to discover essential safety control measures and best practices for engineering a truly safe and compliant industrial environment.
    June 25, 2025
    An innovative aircraft with electric drives combines the best of both worlds. The cross between drone and helicopter could mean significantly faster and more efficient air emergency...
    June 25, 2025
    Effective when other materials fail, ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear and chemical resistance, sliding characteristics or biocompatibility. Discover...

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!