Washable Wool Products for Individual Protection

To address the Army need for a process to generate shrink-resistant wool, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Enzymatic treatment enhanced by a COrona Discharge pretreatment (ECOD) process that reduces wool shrinkage after laundering, without deteriorating wool properties such as strength and flame resistance. The process is based on corona discharge pretreatment followed by simultaneous treatment with a protease and transglutaminase to reduce the profile of wool fiber scales. The innovation of a unique integration of corona discharge pretreatment with enzymatic treatment to impart anti-shrinkage properties to wool fibers with fiber stabilization provided by transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking allows the elimination of environment-damaging chemicals while obtaining a wool product that addresses the needs of the Army and the general consumer. In Phase I, POC plans to assemble a prototype and define the optimal parameters for the corona discharge and enzymatic treatments. The feasibility of ECOD will be demonstrated by a comparison of material treated with corona discharge alone, enzymatic treatment alone, and the ECOD process, and an evaluation of manufacturing needs and costs. At the end of Phase II, the ECOD process will reach technology readiness level (TRL) 4-5 and be ready for potential transition to the PEO Soldier.