IEDsResearch centre to combat devastating effects of roadside bombs

New center will seek mitigation methods against IEDs // Source: usmc.mil

Gaining a better understanding of the injuries caused by roadside bombs and improving both treatment and the means of protection are key aims of a new £8 million research center launched the other day. Designing “intelligent” combat boots to deflect the impact of a roadside bomb and diagnosing damage more quickly in the injured to reduce future medical problems are two potential benefits.

The Royal British Legion Center for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London is the first collaboration of its kind in the United Kingdom, where civilian engineers and scientists will work alongside military doctors, supported by charitable funding, to reduce the effects of roadside bombs or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the leading cause of death and injury for service personnel on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. An Imperial College London release reports that the goals of the new center are to increase understanding about blast injury patterns, improve treatments and recovery, and develop better ways of protecting those serving in current and future conflicts, thus reducing the long-term impacts of such injuries on individuals, their families and the community.

The Royal British Legion, the leading armed forces charity, which provides support and advice and campaigns on behalf of the whole armed forces community, is providing £5 million to establish the center. Imperial College London will lead on the scientific research, which builds on the work already carried out by the Imperial Blast research group at the College.

Admiral the Lord Boyce, the former chief of the defense staff, is to chair the center’s advisory board.

The Legion will also participate in the strategic direction of the center. The center’s work will compliment the Legion’s existing range of support for wounded, injured and sick serving men and women of current conflicts, as well as for ex-serving personnel and their families.

Chris Simpkins, director general of the Royal British Legion, explained the charity’s involvement: “The Center for Blast Injury Studies aims to improve treatment and recovery for those injured serving their country, as well as to reduce the number and extent of blast injuries in the first place. Enhancing the quality of life for the injured, potentially reducing their long-term disability and dependency, while protecting our Service men and women better in the future, is of major importance.

“It chimes perfectly with the support the Legion gives to the whole serving community and we are therefore very proud to be supporting Imperial’s