Folding Kevlar Shield Could Protect Police From Gunfire

The ultra-thin, bullet-proof shield that you can FOLD: Origami design is so tough it can stop a .44 Magnum

• Ballistic barrier is composed of twelve layers of Bulletproof Kevlar fiber
• Unique origami inspired design can fold up and be easily stored in avehicle
• Barrier successfully stopped 9 mm,.357 Magnum et.44 Magnum rounds
• Could also protect schoolchildren or losses in case of emergency

Engineers working on a way to protect the police have found the solution in an unusual place.

Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, a team of researchers have developed a light shield that can stop bullets in their tracks.

The ballistic barrier is composed of twelve layers of Kevlar fiber andweighs only a little more than a suitcase, but it can completely stop the most common hand guns shots.

The barrier can be folded compactly when not in use and when expanded - which takes only five seconds - it can provide cover for officers and stop bullets from several types of handguns

The gate was created by engineers at Brigham Young University (BYU), a private research university Utah.

It can be folded compactly when not in use, making it easier to carryand deploy.
When developed - which takes five seconds, it can provide coveragefor officers and stop bullets of several types of handguns.

In tests, the barrier stopped successfully balls of smaller guns 9 mm,all the way down a.357 Magnum et.44 Magnum "of hand guns.

The barrier is the result of Larry Howell, Professor of mechanical engineering and his staff to BYU in Utah.

Gus design consists of 12 layers of Kevlar bulletproof and weighs only 55 pounds (25 kg).
Many obstacles based on steel in common use are approaching 100pounds.

BYU-built barrier uses a pattern of fold origami Yoshimura to develop around an officer, providing protection on the side in addition to their protection in the front.

In testing, the barrier successfully stopped bullets from smaller 9 mm pistols, all the way up to .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum 'hand cannons'


Working with security forces, BYU researchers have discovered thatmost of the drawings and models that are currently used have considerably changed since medieval times.

Most shields are flat metal plates, clumsy covering only one person.

Current barriers are so heavy and bulky they make it difficult for officers to slide into position.

Researchers built the prototypes for the barrier to be extremely steepand protection overall, while retaining the flexible qualities of the Kevlar fabric, so they can be folded compactly.

The BYU-built barrier uses a Yoshimura origami crease pattern to expand around an officer, providing protection on the side in addition to protecting them in the front

As Kevlar fabric is subject to abrasion a unravelling and is sensitive in light of the Sun and the water, the team also made a concentrated effort to strengthen against the environment.

In addition to protecting officers, researchers think that the barrier could be used to protect children in a school or a person injured in an emergency situation.

Although the ballistic barrier is still a prototype, is the response of the police authorities who have tested was positive.

Dr. Howell leads the innovation team.

He said: "we have worked with a special federal agent to understandwhat their needs were, as well as SWAT teams, police, and the policeand found that current solutions are often too heavy and not as mobile as they would like.

"We wanted to create something that is compact, portable, lightweight and has worked very well to protect them."

"We suspected something as big as un.44 Magnum would be actually he switch, but that has not happened." The barrier is very stable, even with large bullets hit.

KEVLAR BALLISTIC BARRIER

Design is made up of 12 layers of bulletproof Kevlar.

Weighs only 55 pounds (25 kilograms). Many of the steel shields currently used approach 100 pounds (45 kilograms).

It uses a Yoshimura origami crease pattern to expand around an officer, providing protection on the side in addition to protecting them in the front.

When expanded — which takes only five seconds — it can provide cover for officers and stop bullets from several types of handguns.

In testing, the barrier successfully stopped bullets from smaller 9 mm pistols, all the way up to .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum 'hand cannons'.