USM research military protective wear

Polymer science labs at the University of Southern Mississippi are doing research that could lead to enhanced protective wear for U.S. military troops. A $4.9M grant from the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has enabled the School of Polymer Science and Engineering to acquire a state-of-the-art Xeuss 2.0 Small-Angle/Wide-Angle scattering system, which enables high-performance measurements. The grant is part of a $20M, two-year collaboration between USM, Temple University, University of North Texas, and University of Southern California to develop ballistic protection applications. The funding will allow rapid design, development, measurement, testing, modeling and prototyping for strategic areas of interest determined by ARL researchers. USM is the only university in the Southeast that has a Xeuss 2.0 system, which fortifies USM’s reputation as a global leader in polymer science. Olivia D. McNair, manager of pneumatic aterials science and engineering programs, said researchers can begin to target or predict materials that will demonstrate the best performance for ballistic applications. (Source: Clarion Ledger 112/23/17)