Aerogel Composite Pack for Transportation and Storage of Single PRBC Unit

The transfusion of red cells far forward from the FSTs will enhance medical treatment and increase the survivability of wounded soldiers before evacuation. The use of a lighter and more efficient container than the currently approved Collins box will enable soldiers to carry one PRBC unit and store the blood pack for over 48 hours under extreme conditions. Novel lightweight materials and concepts are required to provide durable, low cost thermal protection for temperature sensitive medical supply. The conformable aerogel materials developed by Aspen Aerogels Inc. have already demonstrated excellent insulation performance at both ambient and low pressures. Aspen Aerogels proposes to utilize this novel aerogel technology in combination with integral phase change materials to demonstrate a superior individual PRBC transport package. The 1lb pouch-in-bag container proposed by Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is reusable, easy to use and has superior thermal management capabilities than the current technology used by military for transport and storage of PRBC units.