The U.S. Army and U.N.C. Greensboro are partnering to improve the protection of soldiers' clothes and gear through nanotechnology.
The university's school of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering is hosting a ceremony to announce the partnership on Monday.
The department's Dean Sherine Obare says the partnership is important because the researchers need to understand how to help soldiers through different encounters.
"We're looking at how do we improve their technologies," she said, "For example, from what they wear to what they're carrying, to what resources they have in order to be able to better survive on the battlefield."
Obare says another way nanotechnology will be used is through sensors in the gear and clothes. The sensors detect hazardous chemicals by turning colors.