Electronic Blast Level Alert Sensing Technique (eBLAST)

Impact Technologies, in cooperation with Allen Vanguard Corporation proposes a small disposable sensing system for dynamic pressure wave exposure seen by deployed soldiers. The proposed system will serve to reduce safety risks by accurately and quickly assessing the blast exposure level of personnel. Current sensors are directional dependant and therefore vary output with relation to sensor orientation. Impact proposes a piezoelectric based Omni-directional sensor to remove sensor direction as a limitation to the measured blast exposure level. The system will also provide adjustable thresholds to allow thresholds to be reconfigured as additional blast research is conducted. Key tasks of this Phase I effort include: 1) Development of a sensor to accurately measure blast exposure level; 2) Determine appropriate sensor placement to create Omni-directional measurement coverage; 3) Development of the data processing for correlation between measured sensor output and blast exposure level; 4) development of two mock-up sensors that will be used for demonstration of developed blast sensor technology.