Gradient nanoparticle-carbon allotrope polymer composite

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for protective devices. A protective equipment device may include a high mass member; and a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member. The nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer may include a gradient nanoparticle layer including a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix.

1 . A shock wave attenuating material comprising:
 a plurality of shock attenuating layers each comprising:
 (i) a gradient nanoparticle layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters arranged in a gradient array; and 
 (ii) a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate layer, wherein the plurality of shock attenuating layers is disposed on the substrate layer. 
     
     
         3 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the gradient array comprises the plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters arranged in a gradient array from smallest diameter to largest diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope layer is disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. 
     
     
         5 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer comprises nanoparticles of at least two different diameters. 
     
     
         6 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shock attenuating layers comprises at least 3 gradient nanoparticle layers and at least 3 carbon allotrope layers. 
     
     
         7 . The shock wave attenuating material of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are selected from a list of carbon allotropes consisting of: graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, functionalized graphene sheets, functionalized carbon nanotubes, functionalized fullerenes and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A helmet, comprising:
 (a) a helmet member configured to be worn by a user; and   (b) a plurality of shock attenuating layers applied to at least a portion of the helmet member, each shock attenuating layer comprising:
 (i) a gradient nanoparticle layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and 
 (ii) a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix. 
   
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the helmet member comprises a para-aramid synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the helmet member comprises ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer comprises nanoparticles of at least two different diameters. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of shock attenuating layers comprises at least 3 gradient nanoparticle layers and at least 3 carbon allotrope layers. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the carbon allotrope members are selected from a list of carbon allotropes consisting of: graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, functionalized graphene sheets, functionalized carbon nanotubes, functionalized fullerenes and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the gradient array comprises the plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters arranged in a gradient array from smallest diameter to largest diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the carbon allotrope layer is disposed adjacent to the gradient nanoparticle layer. 
     
     
         16 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A personal body armor unit, comprising:
 (a) a plate;   (b) a high mass member disposed adjacent to the plate; and   (c) a nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer disposed on the high mass member, the nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer comprising:
 (i) a gradient nanoparticle layer comprising a plurality of nanoparticles of different diameters that are arranged in a gradient array; and 
 (ii) a carbon allotrope layer disposed in proximity to the gradient nanoparticle layer, the carbon allotrope layer comprising a plurality of carbon allotrope members suspended in a matrix. 
   
     
     
         28 . The personal body armor unit of  claim 27 , wherein the high mass member comprises a material selected from a list of materials consisting of: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a para-aramid synthetic fiber composite, a carbon fiber composite, a metal, a ceramic and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The personal body armor unit of  claim 27 , wherein the nanoparticle shock wave attenuating material layer comprises a plurality of shock attenuating layers. 
     
     
         30 . The personal body armor unit of  claim 27 , wherein the gradient nanoparticle layer comprises nanoparticles of at least two different diameters. 
     
     
         31 . The personal body armor unit of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of shock attenuating layers comprises at least 3 gradient nanoparticle layers and at least 3 carbon allotrope layers. 
     
     
         32 .- 76 . (canceled)