Nanoparticles Immobilized Hydrogels to Protect Skin During Flash Fire Exposure

Fire is a constant threat on the battlefield. While clothing provides a primary protection for much of the body, the hands and face are frequently left uncovered as a matter of comfort and dexterity. Uncovered skin is extremely susceptible to injury in a fire, where the heat flux can reach up to 100 killowatts per square meter. This phase I study will demonstrate a biocompatible topical cream, which will protect a person’s skin from burns during a short but intense flash fire situation. The approach uses a unique hydrogel, which incorporates multiple chemical and polymer ingredients giving it an ability to resist heat flux by a variety of mechanisms, offering protection against all of the physical forms of potential heat damage (radiation, convection and conduction). Merits of the topical gel include, use of stable ingredients, having mechanical properties closely resembling the underlying skin, the gel’s viscosity adjusts easily, and all of the gel’s components are available commercially at low cost. Importantly, the gel is unlikely to have adverse effects on the wearer because most of its ingredients are already used in consumer or health care topical products, a fact that should hasten transition of the gel to an eventual product. The Phase I laboratory tests will evaluate the gel’s ability to resist heat transfer and demonstrate its safety as a topical formulation.