Defense textiles: Personnel protection & decontamination technology

In one of the existing technology it is based on micro-porous membranes. The new microporous membranes have been developed at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center using the process of electro-spinning.

Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory's Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering (CBMSE) have developed a new cost-effective, self-decontaminating ultra thin materials coating that actively destroys pesticides and related chemical agents on contact. The coating neutralizes toxins instantly leaving no hazardous residue, which makes it ideal for use in protective clothing for military personnel and civilians. The coating can also be applied to materials used in filters for water purification, and in wipes for chemical spill clean-ups. Unlike composite fabrics, where rubber or synthetic alternatives are sandwiched between layers, the NRL approach coats each individual thread before it's woven so that the fabric is treated throughout. This is significant in several ways. It will mean light, comfortable protective clothing that will draw off body moisture when used in warmer climates. And, because the coating is active throughout, it provides better protection against permeation and ensures the integrity of seamed areas on pieced fabric.

In another development the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) developed a patented technology to neutralize organophosphorus chemical agents and pesticides. This enzyme-based technology simplifies and improves the process of decontaminating a class of highly toxic chemicals, including nerve agents. Other decontamination methods use corrosive chemicals that are more costly, less efficient, and generate a substantial amount of residue waste.

ECBC partnered with Genencor International, Inc. to manufacture this licensed enzymatic decontamination technology, which is trademarked and known as DEFENZ. DEFENZ is now on the market and available to companies that produce and sell fire fighting foams and sprays. All-Clear, developed by Kidde Fire Fighting Inc, is the first commercially available decontaminant that incorporates these enzymes developed by ECBC. All-Clear neutralizes agents without harmful effects on sensitive apparatuses like landing gear and brake assemblies, and has proved to be non-corrosive in Boeing Series Corrosion testing.

8. Conclusion:

The main military nations have research programmes geared towards future combat and protective clothing as integrated systems. The programmes tend to be led by military threats or capability gaps doctrine, rather than exploitation of new technologies for the sake of it. The systems approach involves all the major stakeholders, including, strategic planners, users, equipment capability managers, operational analyzers, R&D scientists, producers, contracts staff etc. The general aims of future systems are:

Improve protection against natural and battlefield threats
Maintain thermo-physiological comfort or survival in extreme conditions
Improve compatibility between and within different clothing components
Reduce weight and bulk of materials
Integrate functionality so that fewer layers provide multi layer protection
Reduce life cycle costs by making systems more effective, durable, and recyclable and by buying few components in the system

References:

1. Wellington Sears Handbook of Industrial Textiles Sabit Adanur

2. Textiles for Protection Ed. by Richard A. Scott

3. www.fist-uk.org

4. www.natickarmy.net

5. Impact protection becomes flexible, lightweight & breathable, Tech Text Int., p31, May 2006

6. Stab & ballistic protection combined in vest, Technical Textiles Int., p10, Mar/Apr 2006

7. Protective Clothing, Wood head Publishing, 2005

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