Submission of proposals
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A02-192 TITLE: Narrow-Band Infrared Obscurant Material TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM, Obscurant and Decontamination Systems (ODS) OBJECTIVE: Define a Narrow-Band Infrared (IR) spectral Obscurant Material and a manufacturing process that is capable of producing the material at a price goal of $10 per pound. DESCRIPTION: The current infrared screening materials block the total visual and infrared spectra to approximately the same extent. There is interest in developing an obscurant material that will block only the infrared region or specific portions of the infrared region. Narrow band obscuration has been demonstrated in the millimeter region of the electromagnetic spectrum and this ability must now be expanded to include the infrared region. This will allow selective screening using obscurants. PHASE I: Identify obscurant materials having characteristics that will block only the infrared region or specific portions of the infrared region. Recommend one or more materials which laboratory experimentation demonstrates to have the greatest potential as a narrow band IR obscurant. Consideration should be given to the cost goal and feasibility to manufacture in commercial quantities. PHASE II: Develop samples of the material or materials selected in Phase I, and produce sufficient quantities (1 - 10 kilograms) for chamber evaluation. Conduct frequency dependent obscurant characterization to demonstrate that the Phase II results meet the research objective. Provide a 5 kilogram sample for Army evaluation at no cost to the contractor. Show that it is feasible to commercially produce the material economically and in kilogram quantities. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: This material has potential commercial use in hostage recovery situations and break-in protection/security systems, paint pigments, makeup, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding, batteries. The military application is in IR threat sensor countermeasures. REFERENCES: 1) "Smoke Units Viable to IBCT and Objective Force", Army Chemical Review, Aug 2001; Superintendent of Documents, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 KEYWORDS: smoke, obscurant, screening material, infrared A02-193 TITLE: Novel Clothing Nonwoven Liner Material - Nanofibers in Melt Blown Media TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: APM-Soldier Future OBJECTIVE: To improve the manufacturability of electrospun fabrics for protective clothing, and to develop a cost effective method for blending electrospun fibers directly into the fiber stream of a nonwoven process. DESCRIPTION: Electrospun membranes have recently been prepared and evaluated for use as clothing membranes for protection against environmental elements and battlefield threats. (Ref 1). Although electrospinning has been used in a commercial process for two decades, the process is limited to manufacturing processes for filter media, not for clothing. One technical barrier to the manufacturing of electrospun fabrics is the speed of manufacturing. Electrospinning is a rate limited process relying upon the formation of fiber jets by electrical forces in a viscous medium. Mass deposition rates are only 1 gram fiber per hour per spinneret. Fiber production speeds can be doubled by increasing electric field strength, but fiber production rates remain too low for commercially practical processes for electrospun fabric manufacturing. One possible method to impart the properties and characteristics of electrospun fibers into new textile structures is to combine electrospun and conventionally spun fibers into new structures. Comingling of electrospun and melt blown fibers during spinning could provide new nonwoven structures with advantageous properties. Recently, the Natick Soldier Center reported on the increase of liquid retention and decrease in water contact angle of melt blown fabrics that were surfaced with electro-spun fibers (Ref. 2). Fabrics that combined these two nonwoven fiber types possessed 3x the water retention of either nonwoven alone. Other properties such as air resistance, breathability and liquid contact angle are expected to be significantly affected by the presence of electrospun fibers in a nonwoven fabric. A new fiber blending technology is sought for novel protective clothing liner textiles that can increase the protection of a melt blown fabric through the incorporation of electrospun nanofibers within the nonwoven structure. PHASE I: Develop new co-spinning technology for melt blown/electrospinning processing. Demonstrate that the proposed process can be readily scaled up to a 1 meter width melt blowing system for manufacturing capability. Conduct co-processing studies blending electrospun fibers with melt blown fibers in new and creative ways to maximize the textile transport properties and minimize the cost of manufacturing of an electrospun textile. Transport properties of interest include: 1) maximizing water vapor transport through the fabric; 2) minimizing air penetration through the fabric; 3) controlling liquid (oil and water) retention within the fabric - maximizing retention for certain products is desirable, but minimizing retention is important for clothing; 4) controlling liquid contact angle - determining methods to minimize or maximize contact angle, as desired. Protective clothing liners would function best with high contact angle (non-wetting) and low liquid retention (absorption). A successful Phase I will be the delivery of a report of a study conducted on a small scale describing a new economical processing method for producing a nonwoven liner material with electrospun fiber content sufficient to significantly affect liquid and vapor transport through its structure. PHASE II: Successful methods from Phase I will be scaled up to demonstrate the capability of processing on a manufacturing level. A successful Phase II will deliver a prototype to the Army for laboratory test and evaluation of durability, launderability, and breathability. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: New electrospun membrane-like materials have promise in military as well as commercial outdoor clothing, shoes, tentage and sleeping bags; filtration media; porous absorbent fabrics for personal care markets. Military applications include chemical protective clothing and extreme cold weather clothing. REFERENCES: 1) Gibson, et. al, J. Coated Fabrics, vol. 28, pp. 63, July (1998). 2) Schreuder-Gibson, Heidi L., Gibson, P., Hsieh, Y-L, "Transport Properties of Electrospun Nonwoven Membranes," proceedings of the International Nonwovens Technical Conference (INTC), September 5-7, 2001. (Copies available upon request).
REFERENCES: 1) Lumelsky, Vladimir; Shur, Michael S.; Wagner, Sigurd. Sensitive Skin. Selected Topics in Electronics and Systems - Volume 18. New Jersey: World Scientific Publishing Co., 2000. 2) Farringdon, Jonny, et al. "Wearable Sensor Badge & Sensor Jacket for Context Awareness," Proceedings of the Third IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers, San Francisco, CA, 18 - 19 October 1999, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. pp. 107 - 113. 3) Post, R. E. and Orth, M. "Smart Fabric, or Wearable Computing," Proceedings of the First IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers, Cambridge, MA, October 13 - 14, 1997, pp. 167-168. KEYWORDS: sensors, physiological monitoring, heart Rate, skin temperature, smart clothing, smart textiles A02-195 TITLE: Materials for Novel Ultralightweight Thin-film Flexible Displays TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM,Soldier Equipment OBJECTIVE: Develop materials technology that will enable the display and active control of visible patterns on a flexible textile substrate or flexible thin film. DESCRIPTION: Thin film flexible display technology has a number of potential applications in the soldier system. These include information displays incorporated directly into the uniform material, and as a means of changing the appearance of fabric structures to match varying environments or to optimize system performance in varying environments. For instance, a material might be turned to a lighter color in hot weather to improve reflection of solar radiation and to a darker color in a cold climate to enhance heat absorption. Such capabilities could be applied to both individual clothing and shelters if the materials can be economically produced on a large scale. A possible approach to creating such a device might be to print patterns of color changing (electrochromic) or light emitting elements onto a textile substrate, interconnected by electrically conductive pathways so that the electrochromic or light emitting elements may be addressed and actuated by a control system. Such an array would allow the display of information, color gradations or patterns, depending on the size and number of the active elements. The density of the active elements or pixels would be dictated by the specific application intended for a given display film. A number of technologies may be viable and the suggested approach is not intended to limit the scope of proposals to this topic. PHASE I: Design a flexible thin film display material with physical characteristics (thickness, weight, flexibility) consistent with incoporation in or application directly on textile materials, such those used in uniforms and shelters. Designs should be based on sound scientific principles and be accompanied by supporting theoretical or experimental data to demonstrate viability. It would be most desirable to produce small samples of material that demonstrate the ability to actively control color or generate patterns or characters as in an information display. General requirements for the materials include having density and flexibility that are similar to existing textile materials currently used as clothing or collapsible shelters. Other general requirements for successful materials are environmental durability and low cost, and the ability to produce large area displays. Supply a detailed report and design strategy as well as samples of any novel display materials produced to the Army for evaluation. PHASE II: Produce materials and prototype displays based on designs created in Phase I or scale up materials demonstrated in Phase I into device prototypes. Optimize material properties to include operational temperature range, resolution, color range, reflectivity, controlling algorithms, and other parameters such as environmental durability, cost, manufacturability, as required. Incorporate novel display technology into a textile structure such as a garment or shelter component and supply examples to the Army for test and evaluation. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Multiple military applications are conceivable, including fully integrated displays in uniforms and lightweight large-scale tactical displays. Flexible displays would also have a large variety of private sector applications from advertising to computer displays to novelty clothing items. REFERENCES: 1) J. A. Rogers et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2001) 98(9) p. 4835. 2) D. Lochun et al., Smart Mater. Struct. (2001) 10(4) p. 650. 3) M. S. Weaver et al., Annu. Tech. Conf. Proc. -Soc. Vac. Coaters (2001) 44th p. 155. 4) D. S. Chung et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 39 (2000) p. 7154. 5) R. P. H. Chang et al., App. Phys. Lett. Vol. 78 (2001) p. 1294. 6) C.-C. Lee et al., in Display Technologies III, Proc. SPIE Vol. 4079 (2000) p. 101.
- Maximum of 50 watts of electrical power (if required; 10-30 Vdc) - Maximum of 6 pounds (including power source if required) - The power source (if required) should be integrated with the system - Minimum of 4 hours of continuous operation - On demand cooling (e.g., on/off capability) - Safe to the touch (e.g., no sharp edges, hot surfaces, exposed moving parts, and potentially hazardous protruding parts) - The circulating pump (if used) should have the capability of pumping water at 8-12 gallons per hour at 8 pounds per square inch - If a refrigerant fluid is used, it must have non-ozone depleting properties. Approaches to achieve the performance and weight reduction parameters may include research into the development of smaller, lighter weight, more efficient components, resulting in an overall reduction in the size, weight, and power consumption of the system. It is desirable for the cooling system to interface with a tube-type cooling garment. This effort is not restricted to any refrigeration technology, nor power source choices, however, the performance requirements specified above must be met. PHASE I: Research, develop and propose a system design with the potential of realizing the goals in the description above. Provide significant detail on the approach (e.g., refrigeration technology), the reasons for choosing that approach and the means by which the system performance requirements will be met. Provide an energy and materials balance that supports the design approach. Identify components (e.g., market survey) and/or develop technical specifications for components that, when integrated, will meet the performance goals. Conduct necessary investigation on the design and performance of the components to demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of the proposed system design, including mitigation of risks associated with factors limiting system performance. Deliver monthly progress reports as well as a final report documenting the research and development efforts, identifying any technical challenges that may cause a performance parameter(s) not to be met. Also, include a detailed description of the proposed system to include specifications and drawings of the components and integrated system. PHASE II: Develop the system identified in Phase I. Fabricate and demonstrate two prototype systems. The prototypes must be capable of being used and operated in a relevant environment. The system performance goals stated in the description above must be verified. Deliver monthly progress reports and a final report documenting the design specifications, performance characterization and any recommendations for system performance. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: A micro-climate cooling system meeting the performance requirements outlined in this effort would be applicable to military, industrial, and recreational user groups. DoD personnel who train and/or operate in environments requiring the use of chemical/biological protective clothing and/or body armor would realize significant heat relief benefits. First responders, including law enforcement and fire fighting personnel, would also be able to extend their "mission" durations in heat stress environments if a cooling system was provided with their ensembles. Factory workers or laborers in facilities where environmental air conditioning is not provided would derive some comfort from an autonomous cooling system. Finally, a market serving recreational hikers, motorcyclists, etc. with a portable cooling system may be realized. REFERENCES: 1) Holtzapple, Mark; Allen, Alfred. Microclimate Cooling Options for the Individual Soldier. NRDEC, AD: BO86577, June 1983. KEYWORDS: microclimate cooling, heat stress relief, refrigeration, cooling, heat removal A02-197 TITLE: Free Drop Concepts for Aerial Delivery TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Human Systems ACQUISITION PROGRAM: OBJECTIVE: Explore innovative, simple, inexpensive, expendable/reusable methods to deliver small unit logistics support bundles/humanitarian relief bundles by free drop and/or airdrop to the ground from standard and non-standard aircraft. Several solutions are desired which may be for one time use or reusable. Solutions that can be packed, rigged and deployed by inexperienced personnel are desired. It is desired to deliver loads of up to sixty pounds and 5.5 cubic feet in volume as a threshold, with weights up to 400 lbs and 40 cubic feet as an objective. Deployment altitudes required range from two hundred (200) feet MSL (threshold) and up to 35,000 feet MSL altitudes (objective). Concepts should be able to decelerate loads to 65 to 90 feet per second from 18,000 feet MSL. Aircraft speeds at deployment range from 100 KIAS to 250 KIAS. The load size is important to teams on the ground engaged in surveillance, rescue, intelligence gathering, combat controlling, and other conventional and unconventional activities. DESCRIPTION: A rapidly deployable capability for small and extremely low-cost resupply is needed for small munitions, water, food and other critical items. Present parachute systems are relatively expensive for one time use (threshold) and require more extensive logistics/rigging and more expensive decelerators than desired for these applications. Descent rate is very important to reduce risk of injury for people on the ground who may or may not be aware of an aerial delivery in progress and for reduction of losses of delivered items due to damage. Due to this, a very simple and low cost aerial delivery notification system should be an option that would be used when appropriate to make people on the ground aware that bundles are descending. Today's airdrop missions run the gamut from humanitarian relief emergency aid for non-combatants to delivery of supplies and munitions to widely dispersed and often isolated US military forces. Existing delivery systems are not intended for deployment from non standard aircraft and require specific military aircraft that have systems in place to facilitate their use. As US military doctrine shifts to faster movement of ground forces the necessity of using airdrop for resupply will also increase because long, ground based resupply chains will not be practical, affordable or sustainable. Fast moving, widely dispersed ground forces require resupply of basic supplies quickly with little margin for delay. Delay in the supply of certain items means the difference between life and death for the recipient, whether they are military or civilian. Current systems require the use of specific aircraft designed for airdrop missions. These missions are currently expensive due to aircraft operating and support costs and the actual airdrop equipment such as parachutes that are expended for these drops. Airdrop resupply missions are expected to increase in the future as humanitarian relief missions become intertwined with military operations and as the US military reconfigures itself into a force capable of rapid movement and force projection. These missions and force configurations will require that the airdropped supplies be delivered more and more quickly. By increasing the types of aircraft that can be used for low threat missions the burden on the air crews and aircraft designed specifically for airdrop will be reduced. This will allow aircraft with lower operating costs to be used for some missions and will free up the Air Force transport aircraft for other missions. The following concepts will be considered but proposals should not be limited to them: low cost parachutes, helicopter-like blades or inflatable decelerators to slow the loads. Innovation is desired. This investigation will serve as the basis for planned programs in PM-Soldier Support such as the FY03 LCADS program that will develop a family of low cost aerial delivery systems for a wide range of size and weight supplies. The 101st Air Assault Division also has interest in this technology as part of Eagle Vision 2010 for Air Assault Resupply. System performance goals are: 1. Sixty-pound payload (threshold), up to four hundred pounds (Objective). 2. 5.5 cubic feet (threshold) to 40 cubic feet. 3. Deployment from 200 feet MSL to 35000 feet MSL 4. Survivability of impact loads similar or lower to existing airdrop systems. 5. Deployment speeds up to 250 KIAS. 6. Decelerate loads to 65 to 90 feet per second from 18,000 feet MSL. 7. Delivery system must be easily recoverable and disposable by one person. 8. Indefinite system shelf life in standard warehouse storage. 9. The proposed system must not require extensive training or logistical support to be used. PHASE I: New solutions and innovative concepts and technologies for low cost air drop and free drop will be explored. Analyze current operating deficiencies and constraints, propose and demonstrate concepts for weights up to 60lbs and 5.5 cubic feet (usable payload). Note: The government will provide up to 3 days of helicopter drop tests (or equivalent) usage for these tests/demonstrations. Contractors will have great flexibility in formulating innovative approaches. The Government has no preconceived notions or restrictions about which technologies should be developed. Demonstrate performance improvements and/or cost reductions over current aerial delivery systems or demonstrate completely new solutions to this problem. Show scalability of the concept via analysis and/or demonstrations. Provide a detailed cost analysis for varying quantities of the system(s). Provide a manufacturing analysis for the system(s). Propose operational configuration and concept of the most promising alternatives with a conceptual procedure for packing, rigging and deployment of this system. The most promising technologies identified in Phase I will be matured to demonstrate prototype systems. PHASE II: The performance characteristics of the most promising technologies identified in Phase I are desired and the analysis and modeling performed in Phase I should be demonstrated with prototypes in Phase II. The Government will make GFE available to the Offeror to include a series of helicopter and C-130 or similar aircraft for drop tests for proof-of-concept demonstrations. Determine and demonstrate the range of payload weights and/or payload geometry's the system can accommodate. Finalize a detailed cost analysis for quantities of 500 and the break point of no further cost reduction for higher quantities. Develop manufacturing techniques. Development of a life cycle cost estimate for production of the proposed solutions should be considered. Fabricate and test full-scale prototype systems to ensure satisfactory performance in all operational and performance environments. Demonstrate a range of payload handling as well as packing, rigging, deployment system, and storage through testing to confirm all stated capabilities. Potentially participate in a DoD exercise if concepts are promising (location TBD). PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The goal is to transition this technology into prototype airdrop systems. Integration or adoption of the systems will be done in partnership with the government if Phase II is successful. This technology has applications for all humanitarian relief, military airdrops of supplies/equipment. The technologies developed will be used to create a family of low cost delivery systems that can be delivered by a wide variety of civilian aircraft, military aircraft and civilian or military personnel. Coast Guard law enforcement/search and rescue, ski patrols, border patrols, drug intervention forces, forest fire fighting support, humanitarian relief operations, munitions, equipment maintenance and repair parts delivery to remote areas all could utilize a Free Drop Aerial Delivery System. Typical civilian, as well as military type aircraft must be usable as launch vehicles and the system must not require aircraft modifications, special fittings or rigging for deployment from non-standard aircraft. REFERENCES: 1. TRADOC Pam 525-66, Future Operational Capabilities (FOCs) and Army Universal Task List (AUTL): 1) QM 99-001 & SF 98-605. Aerial Delivery/Distribution. 2) CSS 98-001. Battlefield Distribution. 3) CSS 98-002. Velocity Management. 4) Art 4.0-Perform CSS and Sustainment. 5) IN 97-300. Mobility-Tactical Infantry Mobility. 6) IN 97-301. Mobility-Tactical Infantry Deployability. 7) IN 97-321. Mobility-Soldier's Load. 8) TC 98-002. Force Projection Operations. 9) TC 98-004. Rapid Supply/Resupply of Early Entry Forces. 10) DBS 97-030. Mobility-Tactical Dismounted Mobility. KEYWORDS: Free drop, low cost airdrop, cargo parachute systems, airdrop, logistics, resupply Directory: osbp -> SBIR -> solicitations solicitations -> Army sbir 09. 1 Proposal submission instructions dod small Business Innovation (sbir) Program solicitations -> Navy sbir fy09. 1 Proposal submission instructions solicitations -> Army 16. 3 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Air force 12. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Army 14. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Navy small business innovation research program submitting Proposals on Navy Topics solicitations -> Navy small business innovation research program solicitations -> Armament research, development and engineering center solicitations -> Army 17. 1 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions solicitations -> Navy 11. 3 Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions Download 1.78 Mb. 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