Small, Low-Cost GPS Antijam System for Precision Guided Missiles

Defense against weapons of mass destruction like chemical and biological agents is a national priority, and there is a continuing effort to improve protection of soldiers and civilians against them. In this effort, Foster-Miller proposes to use itscapabilities in polymer science and commercial machinery design and fabrication to develop pilot-scale processing equipment able to produce nanofiber membranes. Published research indicates that such membranes are lightweight, have favorable water and airdiffusion characteristics, and can be made active during processing with various functional materials so they effectively self-decontaminate. In Phase I, Foster-Miller designed and constructed a computer-controlled benchtop unit for more rapid laboratoryprocessing of nanofiber membranes. In Phase II, this work will be extended to a pilot-scale facility capable of producing nanofiber membranes at sufficient rates and sizes for evaluation in soldier protection demonstration programs. The proposed effortincludes process modeling, electrospinning evaluation, characterization and rate maximization using an improved benchtop system as well as prototype design, fabrication, assembly and proveout of a scale-up system. Our commercial partner will assist intesting nanofiber membranes in stand-alone and multi-layer fabric configurations, paving the way for Phase III design of equipment for installation and use in producing enhanced high performance outdoor gear. (p00701)