The development of SpectraShield utilizes several novel concepts in advancing the state of the art in body armor. The proposed design contains a number of counterintuitive elements in including a special non-woven structure using highly oriented polyolefin fibers and a soft matrix. The patents on blast containment describe a novel concept for the blast containment structure, which includes three-band boxes that maximize the properties of high strength fibers.

These patents and associated products have been incorporated into bulletproof vests, helmets and armored vehicles for military personnel, homeland security and law enforcement agents. The blast containment technology may also play a significant role in mitigating risks associated with munitions transportation and storage used by bomb squads to contain explosive devices in an urban environment or at air terminals, or for storage containers on board aircrafts, sea vessels, trains, etc.

Dr. Palley is the author/co-author of 100 technical publications and currently holds 20 U.S. patents, 12 of which are for the SpectaShield concept and material.