Improved Firefighter Face Piece Lenses for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

This project develops superior, higher heat resistant plastic materials for use in face shields of personal protective equipment (PPE). To do so, a strategic partnership is formed between PolyNew Inc., a woman-owned small business, and Honeywell International, the leading global supplier of personal protective equipment. Additional expertise and facilities are captured through the inclusion of academic consultants at the Colorado School of Mines. Global markets for personal protective equipment is expected to reach USD 33.3 billion by the year 2015. Driven by rising focus to combat terrorism, global markets for respiratory protection equipment is projected to reach USD 3.8 billion by 2012. Importantly, the proposed work also provides the opportunity for social value creation as well as financial profitability. The outcome from overstressed protective equipment is potentially catastrophic; in fact some fatalities have been attributed to the failure of face shield materials. Accordingly, the significance of the proposal includes alleviating human suffering and enhancing National security. In light of persistent hostility by fringe groups committed to violent acts, America`s firefighters and first responders deserve the absolute best protection technology can provide. Developing and successfully commercializing such next-generation protective technology is the goal of this multi-phase SBIR project.