Taking Nanotechnology from the Lab to the Field: The Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies

Professor Edwin L. Thomas
MIT
Bldg NE 47, Room 415
Cambridge , MA 02139
Phone: 617-253-5931 / Fax :  617-253-5859
Email: elt@mit.edu

Abstract:   The US Army has recently established a 5 year, $50M center at MIT for basic research, transitioning, and outreach in nanomaterials and nanotechnology to enable revolutionary advances in soldier protection and survivability. The ISN is the single largest and most visible nanotechnology effort at MIT and a cornerstone for further growth in this important area. The key soldier capabilities that the ISN seeks to investigate are:

• Strong, lightweight structural materials for Soldier Systems and system components

• Adaptive, multifunctional materials for Soldier Systems and system components

• Novel detection and protection schemes for chemical/biological warfare threats

• Remote and local Soldier performance monitoring systems

• Remote and local, wound and injury triage and emergency treatment systems to enhance Soldier survivability

• Novel, non-combat and combat performance enhancement systems for the Soldier system that would improve Soldier survivability en-route to and in the battlespace

The center is comprised of ~ 45 Faculty from 10 departments, co-supervising ~90 Grad Students, and ~25 Post Docs with approximately 6 researchers from industry and the Army.  Founding industrial partners are Raytheon, DuPont and Partners Health Care (Brigham and Womens and Mass General Hospitals ).  The team of MIT/Industry/Army are working for unprecedented protection of Soldiers using systems of nanosystems.

For more info on the 40 main projects see http://web.mit.edu/isn