Shear Thickening Fluid Enhanced Textiles for Durable, Puncture- and Cut-Resistant Environmental Protection Garments

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research Phase I proposal will develop and advance the commercialization of STF-ArmorTM nanocomposite materials for use in Environmental Protection Garments (EPG) for long-duration exploration missions, such as the exploration of Mars. The proposed STTR research leverages the results of NASA-sponsored research conducted at the University of Delaware, combined with a commercialization pathway provided by STF Technologies LLC and our commercialization partners, to develop advanced EPG materials to improve astronaut safety. Shear thickening fluid (STF) nanocomposite textiles have been demonstrated to offer a mass-efficient means for improving the puncture and MMOD resistance of EVA suits as a superior absorber layer. The proposed research will advance the commercialization and TRL by optimizing STF materials, treatments and prototype EPG lay-ups to provide enhanced durability, puncture-, cut-, and dust-resistance while simultaneously meeting the requirements for full integration into EPGs and suit systems.