20 Nov 12. US Army Research Lab to develop improved pelvic protection systems. The US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) scientists have developed a novel lab scale test methodology for comprehensive assessment of personal protection equipment (PPE) to develop improved troop pelvic protection systems. Developed in collaboration with the Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO-S), Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Joint IED Defeat Organization and the UK Ministry of Defence, the tool will allow validation of PPEs against a broad spectrum of secondary debris threats. Secondary debris, which represents soil particulate from flying rocks and bomb fragments ejected after buried improvised explosive device (IED) detonation, is capable of causing severe contamination and wounds debridement, and potentially irreversible medical damage to soft tissue. ARL Weapons and Materials Research Directorate mechanical engineer Tyrone Jones said the tool had been designed to quantify debris-resistant performance of combat fabrics, including Kevlar and jersey knitted silk, to approve their integration into existing PPE within a highly controlled environment. ARL first started the development in 2010 for efficient reproduction of soil conditions from buried IEDs, also called surrogate soils, to support development of protection solutions to eventually increase troops’ survivability. Secondary debris testing include a comprehensive analysis of live-fire blast data and soil mechanics, followed by sand-cannon tests, involving the surrogate soil load being fired using a 25.4mm smooth-bore barrel gun into a ballistic gelatin block, simulating a body surrogate. Candidate PPEs are placed in front of the gelatin block, and the amount of soil cloud retained by it, following passage through the materials, and the depth of penetration provides measure of damage that can be caused by secondary debris. (Source: army-technology.com)
21 Nov 12. DSM Dyneema, the producer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, has again successfully defended its intellectual property covering its very high strength and lightweight polyethylene fiber based products. DSM Dyneema last week reached a settlement with a company manufacturing and trading in fiber based panels for ballistic protective products. The offending company, whose name is not being made public, signed settlement conditions drawn up by DSM Dyneema, after the case was brought before the “Tribunal de Grande Instance” in Paris. DSM Dyneema confirms that the dispute centered around alleged repeated patent infringement of one of its patents on pressing technology and hard polyethylene armor products. This action will also strengthen the position of DSM Dyneema in the market for high performance protective products. As a follow-up to a provisional court order on patent infringement recently issued against the same company, a Bailiff seized various products that the offending company was displaying on its stand at the Eurosatory international exhibition on defense and security in Paris. According to Christian Widdershoven global vice president Life Protection at DSM Dyneema, the successful action is a further confirmation of DSM’s policy to continuously and actively protect its innovations and intellectual property rights from infringements: “We continue to vigorously defend our IP position to demonstrate that DSM Dyneema remains committed to offer a valuable mix of high performance products combined with intellectual asset protection, including patents, know-how, service and innovation for its partners,” he says. DSM’s patent portfolio related to UHMWPE fiber, tape, sheets, technology and applications currently consists of over 150 inventions protected by over 600 filed patents and patent applications worldwide, and this is expanding continuously. Mr. Widdershoven concludes: “This significant portfolio confirms our continuous commitment to innovation and