Melbourne, Sept 12 : Kiwi scientists have developed a revolutionary new fabric, which is stab and flame resistant – and is as light as wool.

According to Dr Peter Ingham, a scientist at the New Zealand government-owned research group AgResearch, the new fabric is tough, could withstand a blowtorch, and has many commercial applications.

The researchers said that it was expected to do a good job protecting soldiers from flying shrapnel and could be worn by prison wardens to help protect them from possible attacks by inmates.

"It looks like a milled woollen material but it is made using a new technology,'''' News. com. au quoted him, as saying.