SISC, School of Biosciences, and School of Physics and Astronomy Collaborate on Groundbreaking Material
In an exciting publication by Nature Nanotechnology, a prestigious interdisciplinary team from the SISC Group, the School of Biosciences, and the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kent, has unveiled a revolutionary approach to energy-dissipating materials. The article titled Next-generation protein-based materials capture and preserve projectiles from supersonic impacts presents a pioneering study led by researchers including Jack Doolan, Penny Wozniakiewicz, Jen Hiscock (SISC), and Ben Goult.
In the realm of materials science, particularly where safety and defence are concerned, there is a constant quest for materials that can effectively dissipate extreme energy. Such materials are vital for military and police force ballistic armour, as well as for the aerospace industry’s need to capture, preserve, and study hypervelocity projectiles. However, the limitations of current materials, including weight, breathability, stiffness, durability, and failure to preserve captured projectiles, have long been a challenge.
Addressing these critical issues, the research team turned to the ingenuity of nature, harnessing proteins that have evolved over millennia for effective energy dissipation. They focused on a recombinant form of the mechanosensitive protein talin, which, when incorporated into a monomeric unit and crosslinked, resulted in a talin shock-absorbing material (TSAM). Remarkably, when subjected to supersonic shots of 1.5 km/s, TSAMs were not only able to absorb the impact but also capture and preserve the projectile intact.
This breakthrough represents a significant leap forward in material science, providing a prototype for next-generation materials with potential applications far beyond current capabilities. The collaboration between SISC, the School of Biosciences, and the School of Physics and Astronomy exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary research in solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Published in one of the most esteemed scientific journals, this study not only highlights the innovative spirit and expertise at the University of Kent but also sets the stage for future advancements in safety and aerospace materials. It is a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the collaborative efforts that drive scientific discovery forward.
For more information please read the research article by Jen Hiscock, Ben Goult, and co-workers, which can be found here.