Self-Healing Textile-Based Autonomous Reconfigurable Network

To address the U.S. Army need for a robust wearable multi-path conductive personal area network for data and power transfer, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Self-healing Textile-based Autonomous Reconfigurable Network (STARNet) based on a self-healing conductive ink-based physical (SCIP) layer fabricated on flexible substrates integrated into warrior clothing, with body-conformable wearable connector (WC) elements and innovative multiply redundant power and data networks. The proposed system offers for the first time a biomimetic self-healing capability combined with multiply redundant power and data networks for autonomous reconfiguration capability. The STARNet has snap connection and disconnection of USB and FireWire devices with added reliability from self-healing electrical interconnects for localized breaks in the network. The system is designed to withstand severe environments and repeated laundering cycles, is lightweight, is easy to expand to larger numbers of connected devices, and can be integrated into current or future military uniforms. In Phase I POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the STARNet technology by developing a proof-of-concept STARNet prototype that will achieve a technology readiness level of 4. In Phase II POC will fully integrate selected technologies into Warrior clothing, creating a multipath network with a technology readiness level of 5.