US military could start new nanotech tests by 2023
Graphene material (Photo Credits: AMD)
Progress in nanomaterial technologies could help militaries to counter directed-energy weapons, as the latest research finds new applications for defence.
The US federal government has awarded UK-based SME Advanced Material Development (AMD) a contract to develop protective films to be applied to laser protective eyewear.
The contract with the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) will allow AMD to develop unique multi-frequency layered meta-material films and coatings based on its photonic crystal superlattices.
Although financial details of the contract remain undisclosed at the time of writing, AMD stated that the technology provides a ‘low-cost’ and ‘tuneable’ solution.
Defence applications include fitting on wearable vision systems, electro-optic protection from cameras and anti-laser dazzle.
In an interview with Shephard, Alan Dalton,
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