Female doctor weaving 'iron cloth shirt' is lighter than steel plate than cotton cloth

It's acceptable to use a knife to draw another knife. In the world of Chinese martial arts, "Iron Cloth Shirt" is one of the most renowned body protection techniques. It's said that practitioners can withstand punches, kicks, and even knives and bullets without harm. Now, this legendary concept has found a modern realization thanks to Gong Xiaozhou, a 35-year-old female doctor at Wuhan Textile University. Her team developed a "three-dimensional textile machine" capable of weaving fabric with extraordinary strength. According to Gong, this fabric is not only 75% lighter than steel but also 6 to 7 times stronger. Even the lightest carbon fiber fabric is lighter than regular cotton. This innovation combines the strengths of glass fiber, quartz fiber, and carbon fiber, creating a material that rivals metal in durability. Lin Fusheng, a professor from the School of Mechanical Engineering and co-leader of the project, explained that the fabric’s strength is calculated based on the density and properties of these materials. “Gong’s mentor studied at the University of Manchester and was an expert in 3D textile technology. He once tested a piece of 3D woven fabric by shooting it with a pistol from 10 meters away. The fabric didn’t get pierced or deformed. These techniques were later used in British body armor and police equipment.” Developing the 3D textile machine took nine years of relentless effort. The first prototype, created in 2006, didn’t produce anything special. By 2011, Lin Fusheng spent three years building the first 3D weaving prototype, but it still couldn’t weave properly. After scrapping the entire design and starting over, the team worked tirelessly from scratch. Gong Xiaozhou traveled to Jiangsu to gather information and bought small prototypes from local factories, improving them herself. She often spends weekends and holidays in the lab, balancing her teaching duties with research. On New Year’s Eve, the core team members stayed in the lab, continuing their work. Funding was scarce throughout the project. For nine years, the team invested their own money, spending millions. To save costs, they used locally available materials. For example, they purchased wooden combs for just a few yuan to solve a key problem, and used wire insulation as a threading device—saving thousands in the process. Li Yu, another team leader and deputy director of the university’s Science and Technology Department, highlighted the significance of the breakthrough. “This 3D weaving technology was long considered a challenge internationally. Foreign countries have made progress, but China was blocked. Gong’s team not only filled the domestic gap but also created the world’s first fully automatic 3D wide and thick fabric weaving equipment.” The technology has already led to 6 invention patents and 11 utility model patents. It can produce over 10 types of fiberglass fabrics, suitable for aerospace, military, automotive, and other industries. Applications include aircraft wings, cockpits, armor, explosion-proof equipment, assault boats, ship hulls, and more. In terms of civilian use, Li Yu mentioned that the fabric is already being used in high-end luggage. “The stretchability and strength are remarkable. I’ve seen products priced at 799 euros in Europe.” The team has signed an agreement with a listed company in Hubei and is preparing for mass production. This story is more than just about technology—it’s about perseverance, creativity, and the power of teamwork.

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