Cellulose Nanocomposite Ballistic Blast Panels To Protect the Troops in Production

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced on May 21st that she secured funding in the Defense Authorization Act to help the University of Maine develop innovative blast shields for troops.  The funding will help improve the design and materials for a line of ballistic blast panels the university is already working with a Maine company to produce and market.

“This is an exciting project for several reasons,” said Pingree. “It has the potential of creating many good-paying jobs in our state to manufacture the panels as well as the components that go with them. I’m very pleased, too, that a Maine-made product will improve the safety of our troops by offering better protection from explosives.”

The panels will be used to provide shielding on tents and other shelters in the field to protect soldiers from blasts.  Made of a lightweight composite, the sheets are strapped to the tent walls and could replace or supplement protections like sandbags or concrete jersey barriers.  The funding Pingree secured will help the university take the panels to the next level by using cellulose nanocomposite technology.

The university is currently working with Monmouth company TexTech to produce a kit with the panels and other components that can be quickly assembled in the field.  Specializing in highly engineered textiles, the company also produces tennis ball felt, products for thermal acoustics, and fire-blocking materials.

“If this project ramps up, it has the potential of creating 40 or 50 new jobs for our company,” said TexTech CFO John Stankiewicz. “At the same time it will be saving jobs for the 15 or so subcontractors involved in producing the extra components. We are utilizing Maine companies for a significant portion of the product.”

“Protecting our troops is my first priority in this Defense bill, which is why I put in for this funding,” said Pingree.   “While they are serving to keep us safe, we must do the same for them.  I’m very excited that Maine will be on the frontlines of that fight.”