MKP Structural Design Associates,University of Michigan and US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments are developing and armor using topology optimization (link). The Function-Oriented Material Design (FOMD) methodology is used. The structure is composed of many layers, essentially a ceramic core with composite back and front plates. The back-plate is designed in this article, interpreting topology optimization results in an interesting way and making a structure with Kevlar panels sandwiching stuffers and Kevlar “tendons”. The whole structure is simulated, and found to be successful, also the back-plate is tested with actual bullets and found to be successful too. The contribution of topology optimization to its success is not clear though.
I just found your site through Yahoo, good read, heading to sleep now because it is very late but will check you out more in the morning.