STEM Careers | Arm your future, with bullet-proof plastic

Can Dutch plastic protect Australian tanks? That's the focus of Long's research which investigates whether Dutch-made composite polyethylene (the same material used to make plastic shopping bags and water bottles) can provide effective protection for the Australian Defence Force.

The process involves pressing layers of the plastic together in the Netherlands, then cutting them into panels that can be used as plates of armour. Leveraging computer simulations, Long then tests various shapes and applications for this new armor.

But is his model accurate? To find out, he conducts field tests using squares of the thick material, subjecting them to controlled blasts to simulate different threats.

Science Jobs within Defence

Long's journey began with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT, leading him to his current role at DSTG where he tackles challenging and rewarding scientific endeavors in Defence. 

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