It was made from PU-coated nylon to counter the Soviet NBC capability.
This technology was used to make the first plastic-body automobile in the United States, the Pontiac Fiero, in 1983.
Polyurethane - Heavy and sturdy, which offers almost complete protection from most impacts.
The polyurethane pump has since been used nine other times worldwide, said Dr. Peer Portner, president of Novacor.
The material used was Baydur, a high-resilience polyurethane foam produced by Bayer in Leverkusen, Germany.
Among them are four-hole injectors, foamed urethane injected to the A-pillar, centre pillar and B-pillar for noise insulation, immobiliser systems and pedestrian injury reduction body construction.
There are other types of interlayer materials in use, including polyurethanes such as Duraflex-brand thermoplastic polyurethane film, manufactured by Bayer MaterialScience, Leverkusen, Germany.
Robert A. Volz is credited with discovering the first process for making reticulated polyurethane foam in 1956 while working for the Scott Paper Company.
The students in the course have discovered a variety of organisms including a novel fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora which degrades polyurethane.
Polymers which have been around, and which are in current widespread use, include carbon-based polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, nylons, polyesters, acrylics, polyurethane, and polycarbonates, and silicon-based silicones.