The heat of a bomb blast or IED explosion is so intense that it can fry the skin of any troop unlucky to be near. If service members are wearing camo paint, the consequences can be even worse: most makeup is oil or wax-based and can ignite instantly in a flash of heat and pressure.
Thanks to a group of chemists from the University of Southern Mississippi, troops may soon be able to blend into the background and protect their skin at the same time: The researchers have developed a new silicone-based camouflage paint that won't catch fire while under fire.
Read more about the research, funded by the US Army's Natick Soldier System, over at the Military Times sites.
