Passive Chemical/Biological Protection for Crew Tents

Current collective protection systems are large, heavy and expensive, and involve an unacceptable logistics burden when applied to smaller systems that are lightweight and easy to use for one to five persons. Certain elements exist that may apply to smaller crew tents with passive protection systems. Some of these come from research for individual protection systems, others from collective protection systems. However, simply combining existing elements will not create a passive CB protection shelter. What is missing is a membrane, fabric or panel assembly that excludes liquid water, chemical agents and biological agents, while selectively allowing water vapor and carbon dioxide to vent and oxygen to enter. The proposed research will develop that missing element, and will design an integrated shelter system that exploits this capability. In addition to CB protection, the shelter design will provide clean, breathable air, thermal protection, rain protection, long-term storage in a small sealed container, and self-erection capability.