New Bomb Blast Curtains That Can Bear Up To Large Explosions
Wednesday September 26, 2012 12:31am

In an experimental project that could just see light of day, the EPSRC or Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is trying to develop a new kind of bomb blast curtains, which should not just be thinner but also more protective than current generation. This new curtain is designed to grow thicker when it gets stretched by explosive forces hence preventing shards or glasses from piercing through it. Auxetix and three other partners have engaged with EPSRC and Exeter University to develop this product commercially.

The curtain is specially made to withstand severe blast forces while capturing any flying shards of glass and other shrapnel inside it. This can save many lives since most debilitating injuries arise out of glass shards and other tiny objects from explosion.

This curtain should find sufficient demand in Government buildings and high priority locations. They are designed to be affixed onto windows from the inside and should protect all inhabitants inside from explosions as well as severe weather conditions like hurricanes and typhoons.

The current generation of bomb-blast curtain is actually made from a thick net like fiber and it is used in tandem with a shatterproof film coated directly onto the window. This prevents shards of glasses from tearing through the curtain. However, the EPSRC developed curtain should remove the need for using shatterproof coating by making the curtain fibers individually more woven and resistant to external forces.

The kind of fabric used in the curtain holds the key to its superb performance. There are two fibers used, one is denser and stiffer than the other. This stiffer fiber forms the outer coating that is wound across a core made from a stretchy fiber. When force is experienced by the outer fiber, it tends to straighten out causing the inside fiber to increase in diameter. This material is scientifically termed auxetic or something that expands upon exertion of force. Auxetic property is greatly affected by the diameter of both fibers, coiling angle of the stiffer fiber upon the stretchy core and the stiffness. Through manipulation of all these three factors, one can create varying grades of this new generation curtain. In fact, EPSRC researchers are desperately trying to figure out how each grade shall perform under tests.

Additional feature of this new age curtain is its ability to stay whole in severe blasts. The fabric shows a peculiar property of opening up tiny pores upon force that are just small enough to dissipate shockwaves but not large enough to provide entry to debris. They are in fact, quite capable of handling a hurricane without rupturing.

Measuring in at just around 1 to 2mm thick these blast-proof shields are transparent enough to allow natural light through and strong enough to prevent car bomb explosions from causing any harm. Testing has already begun in many Government facilities with certification procedures in full swing. Expect them to enter the market any time soon within five years.

Bomb blast curtains may also get accepted into other areas such as civil engineering, dentistry, and auxetic bandages. The reinforcement of soil using auxetic material shall prevent soil erosion, dental floss from this material will clean teeth better, and bandages containing antibiotics can be used for better healing.