An Indian-American engineer Abraham Pannikottu on 7 March 2014 announced to develop Zero Pressure tyres for the US military. The Zero Pressure tyres will continue to run even after being shredded by roadside bombs or gunfire.
The new AEG Zero Pressure tyres will withstand a minimum of 50 mph speeds for 300 miles once it’s punctured.
The Zero Pressure tyres worked better at carrying heavier loads and can quickly move soldiers out of dangerous way.
Although the US military vehicle tyres are now equipped with run-flat inserts but the defence department wanted to upgrade to a zero pressure tyres.
Abraham Pannikottu is working with his team at Akron, Ohio-based American Engineering Group (AEG). US department of defence has facilitated the team with a grant of USD 1 million to develop Zero Pressure tyres.
The AEG prototype is developing a technology which could cater with the overheating and has the tyres flexibility. However, this technology eventually could be used on all- terrain vehicles, as well as mining and construction vehicles.
In 2006, Pentagon honored Pannikottu & his group for designing airless tyres for the Stryker armored vehicle. This award was for exceptional performance that exemplifies the goal of bringing innovative technologies to the soldier.
The company has patents pending for the Zero Pressure tyres technology.
Abraham has a mechanical engineering degree from Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (Surat, Gujarat). He later completed graduate studies in polymer science at the University of Akron. He has written several research articles on engineering applications of rubber.
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