A new uniform material to protect soldiers from chemical and biological threats has been developed by Australian scientists (Picture below).
Researchers at Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, developed the next-generation uniform prototype that uses special nanofibers.
CSIRO project lead Dr Yen Truong said the innovative material was a lightweight fabric that filtered out harmful particles while remaining light-weight and breathable, keeping the wearer comfortable in extreme temperatures.
“We harnessed the unique properties of nanofibres to create a lightweight fabric that effectively filters out harmful particles,” Dr Truong said.
“In rigorous testing, the prototype surpassed all performance targets for air filtration, air permeability, thermal comfort, and chemical protection.
“This means it effectively filters pollutants from the air, allows for breathability, maintains comfortable temperatures even in extreme conditions, and offers superior protection from hazardous chemicals.”
CSIRO Manufacturing Research Unit Director Dr Marcus Zipper said this textile innovation was the result of collaboration with industry and research partners.
“Our nanofibre technology, pioneered by CSIRO scientists, has the potential to significantly improve the level of protection soldiers’ uniforms provide and can also be used for non-military applications, including protecting emergency responders and hazmat crews,” Dr Zipper said.
