Originally published on October 15, 2013 <br /><br />The U.S. Special Operations Command (Ussocom) called on scientists to develop a lightweight smart suit using kevlar and nanotechnology that functions as a 'practical exoskeleton' to protect soldiers from shrapnel and bullets.<br /><br />The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) -- named after the mythological Greek automaton made of bronze that Zeus assigned to protect his lover Europa -- will give the wearer super-human strength and protect soldiers from intensive combat situations. <br /><br /> Professor Gareth McKinley, who has been working on his 'liquid armour' technology for 11 years, said the suit sounds like Iron Man.<br /><br />The suit can monitors a soldier's heart rate, hydration levels and core temperature and respond to the data, supplied by an on-board computer hooked up to sensors, to keep a soldier in the best conditions for battle by providing heat, air conditioning and oxygen.<br /><br />The armor can also transform from a more liquid form to a solid in a fraction of a second under the influence of a magnetic field or electric current. <br /><br /> If a soldier is wounded, the suit monitor their health and even stop bleeding using a "wound stasis" program such as one being developed by DARPA that sprays foam onto open injuries.<br /><br />The hydraulics powered exoskeletons can attached on soldiers' arms and legs to allow them to carry more gear and run faster than they would on their own. <br /><br />The night vision equipped in the lightweight suit will increase soldiers' mobility at night, while the antennas offer an capacity for communications.<br /><br />Professor McKinley said, "Like all good superheros, Talos has one weakness. For the Army's Talos, the weak spot is either the need to carry around a heavy pump for an hydraulic system, or lots of heavy batteries. We don't have Iron Man's power source yet!"<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />TomoNews is your daily source for top animated news. We've combined animation and video footage with
