A mysterious ultra-wealthy client has commissioned McLaren’s technology and design team for an ‘invincible shield’ that can be worn discreetly beneath the clothing, to protect their vital organs.
The Invincible shield essentially aims to do the job of the rib cage, relying on materials used in body armour and even Formula 1 race cars for damage containment, impact resistance, and flexural rigidity.
According to McLaren, the multi-material shield will be used to protect the unnamed client following surgery, in case of an unexpected low-energy impact.
A mysterious ultra-wealthy client has commissioned McLaren’s technology and design team for an ‘invincible shield’ that can be worn discreetly beneath the clothing, to protect their vital organs
After being approached by the mystery client, the McLaren Applied Technologies team set out to build a fully custom structure to meet their unique needs.
To this, they took a full 3D scan of the client’s body, and combined this information with medical images from the client’s doctor.
‘From digital therapeutics, to tailored human performance programmes and bespoke medical devices, our aim is to innovate health care solutions that can be tailored for individual patients,’ said McLaren’s Chief Medical Officer.
‘The common thread in all of our projects is data. We use data to build a digital picture of how a patient is performing or recovering, and then create solutions, or in the case of the Project Invincible, devices, to aid our users.’
According to project lead Dan Toon, the team started out with a blank canvas, allowing them freedom to explore each constraint.
The shield must protect the client’s thorax region – specifically, guarding the heart and the lungs – as they will have impaired function and structural integrity around the fourth ribs and the sternum.
But, it must also allow them to carry on with their day-to-day activities, Toon explained in a video detailing the project.
The shield must protect the client’s thorax region – specifically, guarding the heart and the lungs – as they will have impaired function and structural integrity around the fourth ribs and the sternum (illustrated left). It’s been compared to a real-life Iron Man suit (right)
The Invincible shield essentially aims to do the job of the rib cage, relying on materials used in body armour and even Formula 1 race cars for damage containment, impact resistance, and flexural rigidity
To meet these needs, the team needed to do three things: protect from initial impact, transfer the load away from the most vulnerable area, and attenuate the load to dissipate the force.
In the final design, the team has incorporated a rigid composite shield structure and three non-Newtonian gel pads, which adhere to the bespoke layer with Velcro.
It also uses specially crafted textiles to optimize comfort and discretion.
‘With garment designed, the textiles used create a push and pull effect, where the natural fibers in the material absorb the sweat and the artificial fibers spread the sweat, improving evaporation and keeping the body cool in a tight fit design,’ says Joao Seco, Industrial Designer.
There are three types of fibers built into the composite shield, all held together with a ‘highly toughened resin system.’
‘Firstly, we have stiff carbon fibers providing the flexural rigidly and strength,’ explains Dr Broderick Coburn, composites engineer.
‘Secondly ductile Dyneema fibers, which are used in high performance shot sails and bullet proof vests as outer layer damage containment and central lightweight core plies.
According to project lead Dan Toon, the team started out with a blank canvas, allowing them freedom to explore each constraint. There are three types of fibers built into the composite shield, all held together with a ‘highly toughened resin system.’
‘Thirdly, Zylon fibers to provide penetration resistance and energy absorption. Zylon fibers are used by all F1 teams to protect the driver in the event if a side impact.
‘This results in a system that is highly effective in energy absorption and impact attenuation
‘Coupling these material systems with detailed final element analysis, we’re able to optimize both the shields and the pads to arrive at a highly effective and lightweight solution.’
To meet the client’s needs, the team needed to do three things: protect from initial impact, transfer the load away from the most vulnerable area, and attenuate the load to dissipate the force