Scientists have now created a new, state of the art lightweight bulletproof shield that is inspired by the ancient Japanese art of origami.

This revered folding technique has been applied by engineers and designers for decades, from solar arrays used in spacecraft to robotics that can travel inside your body to administer medicine in specific organs and areas.

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In this new study, mechanical engineers from Brigham Young University in Utah were able to develop a new bulletproof shield specifically inspired by the Yoshimura crease pattern in origami.

The team was able to collect data and consult with law enforcement and federal agencies and departments where they identified that they lack an update of their bulky and heavy bulletproof shields and barriers.

The team now developed this unique and innovative design from using 12 layers of bulletproof Kevlar, which is also lighter and more portable that can also provide heavy duty protection from bullets. Apart from this, the design can only take five seconds to deploy that can protect up to three people at once. This also weighs at only 55 pounds, which is half as heavy as current steel shields.

According to BYU professor of engineering Terri Bateman, this very compact state can be taken around in a trunk of a car to something that can be carried along with you. This can instantly open up, where law enforcement can take cover behind and stay safe from bullets. It is easily folded up when you need to change your position as well.

During tests, researchers were able to yield more successful results from this shield, where the shield can stop bullets from different handguns like a 9 mm, a .357 magnum and a .44 magnum. Howell adds, these are powerful handguns where we initially expected that something like a .44 magnum can topple over this shield but this did not happen.

This origami lightweight, bulletproof shield is still in its prototype stage, however the team is still working with law enforcement agencies to test it with officers on site. Apart from law enforcement, the team believes that this origami shield can be used for school safety and other emergency response situations.