(TARDEC: Warren, MI) -- The day when U.S. soldiers will drive “smart- armor” vehicles that tell occupants when those vehicles are damaged has moved closer to reality. Scientists at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive, Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have been awarded military funding to develop the crucial technology needed to support the system.

TARDEC research scientist, Thomas Meitzler, Ph.D., and computer engineer, Elena Bankowski, Ph.D., were awarded a 2010 Pilot Independent Lab In-House Research (ILIR) Grant and a 2010 Innovation Grant from the U.S. Army to pursue basic research and development of an experimental spin-torque nano-oscillator—a spintronic sensor—that will detect radar and changes in microwave radiation waves when vehicle armor is penetrated and damaged. When embedded in vehicle armor, the sensor would help war fighters quickly and accurately analyze the condition of the plates.

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