Dr. Judit E. Puskas, professor of polymer science at The University of Akron, holds part of a synthetic rubber projectile that impacts, but does not penetrate human tissue, and is safer to use in fragile environments such as in-flight aircraft.

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Law enforcement officials are adopting a new-generation polymer bullet that offers nonlethal properties superior to conventional rubber projectiles. Dr. Judit E. Puskas, professor of polymer science at The University of Akron, developed the synthetic rubber projectile that impacts, but does not penetrate human tissue, and is safer to use in fragile environments such as in-flight aircraft.

Puskas based her development on butyl, the synthetic rubber that absorbs energy upon its contact with another object. Puskas was at the University of Western Ontario in Canada in 2002 when she was approached by Lamperd Less Lethal Ammunitions of Ontario to develop the projectile. Based on her earlier studies at UA, Puskas drew upon butyl's force-absorption quality.

"Nobody had ever tried this particular rubber, so this was immediately something very interesting," says Puskas. She explains that butyl's unique properties enabled her to develop a rubber projectile that produces a buffered effect. Puskas formulated the bullet with a combination of butyl, a filler and a thermoplastic rubber she co-invented in the late 1980s as a post doctoral fellow working with Dr. Joseph P. Kennedy, professor of polymer science and chemistry at UA.

Less-lethal properties

Puskas invented the specialized bullet in collaboration with aerodynamics specialist Barry Lamperd, CEO of Lamperd Less Lethal Ammunitions, and graduate student Amer Ebied of Ontario. Puskas says the projectile will not penetrate the human body the way current rubber and plastic bullets often do, making it less likely to cause a fatality.

Lamperd says Puskas' projectile, which he named WASP^©, is unlike any synthetic rubber round ever developed. "There was a real need for something out there because everyone backed away from standard rubber projectiles, which became rigid [in conditions] under 32 degrees and had possibilities of causing fatalities and penetration," says Lamperd. He has licensed Puskas' technology and developed the Defender handgun specifically for use with the bullets.

Developed with partners

Puskas, a leading expert in polymer technology, says the product was developed over a two-year period during which she took part in its testing with Dr. Cynthia Bir, associate professor of bioengineering at Wayne State University in Michigan.

Puskas says the WASP and the Defender also can be used in aircraft without damaging the fuselage. Lamperd adds that police departments in South Fayette Township and Bridgeville, Pa, currently use WASP bullets.

"In the field of law enforcement, the use of force is an unfortunate reality.  However, today's technology is providing law enforcement officers with a wide variety of less-than-lethal options. Dr. Puskas' invention is another exciting addition to the choices available to help keep our communities safe," says Chief Paul J. Callahan of The University of Akron Police Department.

Focus also on medical products

Currently, Puskas is focusing her research on creating new biomaterials for medical applications. She is also researching natural-rubber biosynthesis at UA, in hopes of creating a synthetic equivalent to natural rubber.

"This is absolutely fundamental research; the National Science Foundation supports both projects, and Goodyear is a collaborator in the latter. The reason I came back to The University of Akron is because it is an internationally recognized leader in polymer science and polymer engineering," Puskas says.