Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
"BYU engineers built a bulletproof origami shield to protect law enforcement
February 16, 2017 | Todd Hollingshead
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Ballistic barrier is made of 12 layers of Kevlar; can fold up, easily stow in a vehicle
BYU engineering professors have created an origami-inspired, lightweight bulletproof shield that can protect law enforcement from gunfire.
The new barrier can be folded compactly when not in use, making it easier to transport and deploy. When expanded — which takes only five seconds — it can provide cover for officers and stop bullets from several types of handguns.
“We worked with a federal special agent to understand what their needs were, as well as SWAT teams, police officers and law enforcement, and found that the current solutions are often too heavy and not as portable as they would like,” said Larry Howell, professor of mechanical engineering at BYU. “We wanted to create something that was compact, portable, lightweight and worked really well to protect them.”
In working with law enforcement, BYU researchers learned much of what is currently used hasn’t evolved much from medieval times: shields that are mostly flat, awkward plates that cover only one person. Current barriers are so heavy and cumbersome they make it difficult for officers to move into position."
Source: https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-researchers-built-bullet-proof-origami-shield-protect-law-enforcement
"BYU engineers built a bulletproof origami shield to protect law enforcement
February 16, 2017 | Todd Hollingshead
Share: Facebook Google + Tweet Email Comment
Ballistic barrier is made of 12 layers of Kevlar; can fold up, easily stow in a vehicle
BYU engineering professors have created an origami-inspired, lightweight bulletproof shield that can protect law enforcement from gunfire.
The new barrier can be folded compactly when not in use, making it easier to transport and deploy. When expanded — which takes only five seconds — it can provide cover for officers and stop bullets from several types of handguns.
“We worked with a federal special agent to understand what their needs were, as well as SWAT teams, police officers and law enforcement, and found that the current solutions are often too heavy and not as portable as they would like,” said Larry Howell, professor of mechanical engineering at BYU. “We wanted to create something that was compact, portable, lightweight and worked really well to protect them.”
In working with law enforcement, BYU researchers learned much of what is currently used hasn’t evolved much from medieval times: shields that are mostly flat, awkward plates that cover only one person. Current barriers are so heavy and cumbersome they make it difficult for officers to move into position."
Source: https://news.byu.edu/news/byu-researchers-built-bullet-proof-origami-shield-protect-law-enforcement
