This $1 Adhesive Can Protect Missiles From Incoming Laser Attacks, Researchers Say

Researchers from China have developed an adhesive that might be able to protect drones and missiles from laser attacks. During an experiment, scientists found that a low-cost resin was able to protect weapons from being damaged by lasers.

Scientists say that the material remained unharmed after being blasted by a weapons-grade laser beam for 15 seconds. This laser had a power density of 500 watts per sq cm, SCMP reported. It's important to note that this intensity was higher than what would be required to destroy a missile.

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Fighting lasers with adhesive

Currently, megawatt laser systems do not exist but these might become feasible in the near-future. For their experiment, the scientists applied 2.55mm of coating made from boron phenolic resin (BPR), a material commonly used in environments that operate under high heat and stress.

The cost of BPR makes it a viable tool to protect weapons from laser systems. It costs less than $1 for a kilogram, data from China states. After a few modifications, BPR may be transformed into a "anti-high-energy laser protective coating," according to the team from Beijing Institute of Technology.

Also read: China's New Hypersonic Nuclear Missile Is Based On NASA's Abandoned Prototype

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"This solution uses low-cost raw materials, a simple manufacturing process and has very high performance,¡± said the study's lead Gao Lihong. The research was published in the Chinese-language journal Ordnance Material Science and Engineering on May 17.

The development of hypersonic missiles has led to the increase in the pace of laser weapon creation. Hypersonic missiles move faster than the speed of sound and are hard to intercept. Laser weapons are seen as the deterrent against hypersonic missiles, for a focused laser can travel at the speed of light.

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Currently, BPR coating is applied to weapons and drones to protect them from heat. But a laser beam could easily burn through traditional coating. Through ingredients bought "straight from the market," the research team developed a new composite codenamed "BPR-1" that can prevent laser beam damage.

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