Robust, High Stretch, Flame Resistant, Breathable Textile

This Phase I program is designed to address the Army need for a fabric with the durability of a woven fabric and the stretch and breathability of a knitted fabric while retaining Army requirements for flame resistance (FR) and vector protection. The program will focus on showing that inherently flame-resistant starting fiber and fabric materials can be manufactured to produce textiles with comfort and durability. We will use innovative materials and textile fabrication processes to develop improved textiles that provide all of these important attributes in a single product. At the outset of the program, we will source materials that are available from US suppliers. We will work with an experienced textile manufacturer to produce sample fabrics for test and evaluation. We will also work with a university partner on this program who will be involved in both the testing of fabrics, and development of specialty processes to enhance specific fabric properties. This partner is well established in fabric development for the US Army, particularly with respect to FR testing and performance improvements. Our best optimized textile candidates will be tested against all Army requirements and the best materials will be provided to the Army at the end of the program.