Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, ASA(ALT), Phase I
Bio-Based Fabric/Material/Textiles for Military Applications
Objective
The objectives of this topic are to (1) demonstrate a bio-based materials in fabric/ material applications that provide matching or exceeding performance in safety, fit, form and function, (2) achieve enhanced supportability for seat belts, seat covers, canvas covers, covers of all kinds, and (3) achieve longer time to detection by using natural materials for camouflage purposes instead of the standard synthetic glossy or reflective materials marketed as camouflage.
Description
The purpose of this topic is to find or generate materials that can be used in target areas that are not just domestically grown, much less costly, and environment-renewing but are weavable or printable in CONUS, as opposed to having to source non Berry Amendment items from overseas, develop sources for development, processing and production between the raw growers and the US Army acquisition system, obtain samples suitable for demo/testing in target areas, such as seat belting, camouflage covers, and seat material, and to meet Berry Amendment requirements for critical materials; improve camo material to be less visible; revive American fabrics industry.
Currently, DoD acquires various Fabric/Materials that are not manufactured in the US. Many woven products, seat belt webbing especially, is produced in countries that do not meet Berry Amendment requirements. Also, bio-based materials exist to address certain applications, however, items such as seat belts have not been woven or certified for safety use. Bio-based materials have not been woven into camouflage covers or seating material to determine their feasibility in use. Although they used to be used for everything back in the day.
Working closely with Ford and others, we’ve learned that integration of Bio-Based materials is possible with little or no disruption to the customer, and improvement of products for users. Wide spread availability of various types of Bio-Based materials that would otherwise be disposed of or incinerated have the potential of being utilized. The 2018 Farm Bill has supported and spawned a huge growing base already. Taking novel materials and subjecting them through mature manufacturing processes will help bring the items to maturity faster
The success of this topic will create a foundation for future bio-based material integration, reduced cost, and Berry Amendment adherence, in an uncertain age regarding foreign cooperation. The metrics will be equivalent or better safety performance, durability, user interface, manufacturability, ability to camouflage, revitalized American industry and farming, updated/replaced specs/TDPs, and any possible weight reduction for newer production systems.
Phase I
Develop sample of bio-based material to ensure feasibility of production; Receive representative material coupons/samples; Conduct testing against baseline materials
Phase II
Receive test samples of completed assemblies (Seats, Seat Belts, Covers, Etc.); Conduct field, safety, performance, and durability testing vs. existing baseline systems
Phase III
Manufacture Seats, Seat Belts, Covers, with new material; Integrate into other manufacturers of similar products. Potential Final Demonstration: System integration lab demonstration of bio-based material and vehicle integration/demonstration in vehicle testing and user evaluation and feedback compared to current hardware.
For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal.
References:
Example of bio-based textile research: Warlin N, Nilsson E, Guo Z, et al. Synthesis and melt-spinning of partly bio-based thermoplastic poly(cycloacetal-urethane)s toward sustainable textiles. Polym Chem. 2021;12(34):4942-4953. doi:10.1039/d1py00450f
Argument to move towards more bio-based textiles: D’Itria E, Colombi C. Biobased Innovation as a Fashion and Textile Design Must: A European Perspective. Sustainability. 2022; 14(1):570. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010570
Objective
The objectives of this topic are to (1) demonstrate a bio-based materials in fabric/ material applications that provide matching or exceeding performance in safety, fit, form and function, (2) achieve enhanced supportability for seat belts, seat covers, canvas covers, covers of all kinds, and (3) achieve longer time to detection by using natural materials for camouflage purposes instead of the standard synthetic glossy or reflective materials marketed as camouflage.
Description
The purpose of this topic is to find or generate materials that can be used in target areas that are not just domestically grown, much less costly, and environment-renewing but are weavable or printable in CONUS, as opposed to having to source non Berry Amendment items from overseas, develop sources for development, processing and production between the raw growers and the US Army acquisition system, obtain samples suitable for demo/testing in target areas, such as seat belting, camouflage covers, and seat material, and to meet Berry Amendment requirements for critical materials; improve camo material to be less visible; revive American fabrics industry.
Currently, DoD acquires various Fabric/Materials that are not manufactured in the US. Many woven products, seat belt webbing especially, is produced in countries that do not meet Berry Amendment requirements. Also, bio-based materials exist to address certain applications, however, items such as seat belts have not been woven or certified for safety use. Bio-based materials have not been woven into camouflage covers or seating material to determine their feasibility in use. Although they used to be used for everything back in the day.
Working closely with Ford and others, we’ve learned that integration of Bio-Based materials is possible with little or no disruption to the customer, and improvement of products for users. Wide spread availability of various types of Bio-Based materials that would otherwise be disposed of or incinerated have the potential of being utilized. The 2018 Farm Bill has supported and spawned a huge growing base already. Taking novel materials and subjecting them through mature manufacturing processes will help bring the items to maturity faster
The success of this topic will create a foundation for future bio-based material integration, reduced cost, and Berry Amendment adherence, in an uncertain age regarding foreign cooperation. The metrics will be equivalent or better safety performance, durability, user interface, manufacturability, ability to camouflage, revitalized American industry and farming, updated/replaced specs/TDPs, and any possible weight reduction for newer production systems.
Phase I
Develop sample of bio-based material to ensure feasibility of production; Receive representative material coupons/samples; Conduct testing against baseline materials
Phase II
Receive test samples of completed assemblies (Seats, Seat Belts, Covers, Etc.); Conduct field, safety, performance, and durability testing vs. existing baseline systems
Phase III
Manufacture Seats, Seat Belts, Covers, with new material; Integrate into other manufacturers of similar products. Potential Final Demonstration: System integration lab demonstration of bio-based material and vehicle integration/demonstration in vehicle testing and user evaluation and feedback compared to current hardware.
For more information, and to submit your full proposal package, visit the DSIP Portal.
References:
Example of bio-based textile research: Warlin N, Nilsson E, Guo Z, et al. Synthesis and melt-spinning of partly bio-based thermoplastic poly(cycloacetal-urethane)s toward sustainable textiles. Polym Chem. 2021;12(34):4942-4953. doi:10.1039/d1py00450f
Argument to move towards more bio-based textiles: D’Itria E, Colombi C. Biobased Innovation as a Fashion and Textile Design Must: A European Perspective. Sustainability. 2022; 14(1):570. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010570