Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is working on using carbon nanotubes to create a barrier that would be impenetrable to chemical and biological agents, but still water-permeable. The result could make suits designed to protect against chemical and biological threats more comfortable—and effective—for long-term wear.
Soldiers are already issued protective suits to deal with chemical or biological attacks, suits that are thickly walled to keep out bacteria, viruses, and chemical agents. Unfortunately, with that protection comes a lack of "breathability"—the ability of a garment to expel sweat moisture built up during strenuous activity. This makes suits increasingly uncomfortable the longer the wearer has them on, so they are generally dreaded by military personnel worldwide.
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore Labs are working to integrate carbon nanotubes into military uniforms, developing a fabric that will let water pass but not chemical agents and microscopic organisms. Each of the tubes has a diameter of less than five nanometers. For reference, there are about 254,000,000 nanometers in a single inch. Less than five nanometers, it turns out, is the sweet spot that allows water to pass through the fabric while keeping out chemical agents, viruses, and most microscopic organisms.
The result is a thinner, less bulky protective suit that can be worn longer without experiencing physical discomfort. Soldiers could wear them for longer periods of time, making them less likely to be caught unprepared in a surprise attack. The national laboratory believes that suits made of the new material could be in the field in less than ten years.