Soldier Personnel Protective Equipment from High Energy Lasers

High Energy Lasers (HEL) are expected to be extensively deployed in battlefields. Currently, soldier wearable garments are developed for protection against harsh environments like fire, sharpnels, etc. but not against HEL. To enable battlefield protection, Army is soliciting soldier Personnel Protection Equipment (PPE) from HEL with the objective of keeping the inner fabric material lower than 44 ░C for at least one minute under high-intensity heat fluxes up to 100 W/cm2. To meet the aforementioned objectives, while facilitating conventional features of army garments, i.e., stretchability, breathability, comfort, fire resistance, reusable, etc. Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) in collaboration with North Carolina State University (NC State) proposes to develop a multifunctional textile fabric as soldier PPE for HEL. Phase I objective is to develop and demonstrate a multifunctional textile concept that can meet the HEL protection requirement. A comprehensive material trade study and down-selection will be performed at the beginning of the program jointly by ACT and NC State. Fabric layers synthesis and fabrication will be carried out by NC State, Wilson College of Textile. ACT will perform optical and thermal characterization to the material.Ā In addition, a mathematical model describing transient heat transfer through multiple layers of textile material will be developed by leveraging ACTÆs previous model development experience. Towards the end of the program, the system layout for synthesis and assembly of the fabric will be designed and a sample multifunctional textile will be fabricated and characterized using a simulated high energy source. Phase II program will focus on optimization of material properties, synthesize processes and enhancing other characteristics such as density, durability, wearability, flammability, comfort level, and scalability. A wearable PPE prototype made with proposed multifunctional textile material will be developed and tested with a HEL.