N123-152 TITLE: Blast dosimeter for monitoring and documenting Blast exposure for Breacher and route clearance personnel

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Biomedical, Battlespace, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Warfighter PPE EOD ensemble

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted". The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a sensor that can be incorporated into the current protective vests to measure and record blast over pressure and acceleration data that Marines are subjected to during blast type events.

DESCRIPTION: Develop a affordable, lightweight sensor that can record and document exposure to blast type events. The sensor should possess the following characteristics: Small, lightweight, low power capability to detect, measure and record concussive forces to personnel of interest. The unit should operate for 30 days continuously without recharging and provide 360 degree monitoring for blast overpressure coverage.

Key design elements are:
- Weighs approximately 4 oz or less.
- Event data can be downloaded via micro USB and summary event data can be queried using wireless RF signal.
- Data memory storage capability for 1000 events.
- Signal processing to reduce false readings and improve accuracy.
- GPS interface (objective).

Desired capabilities:
- Degrees of Freedom 6
- Linear Acceleration 1000 g
- Rotational Acceleration 50,000 rad/sec^2
- Pressure Measurement 4-100 psi
- Pressure Measurement Standoff Distances 50 ft
- Microprocessor Response Time 100 microseconds
- Microprocessor Sampling Rates 20kHz
- Microprocessor Sampling Duration 512 milliseconds
- Bandwidth 5kHz-10kHz
- Accuracy less than 2.5% error
- Trigger Thresholds (variable)
- Data Transfer USB and wireless
- Battery Life 12 month rechargeable
- Hardened for Military environment
- Immune to Jammer interference
- Cost less than $25/unit

PHASE I: Select from available technologies for monitoring and recording blast overpressure and acceleration. Perform trade study to optimize design against design criteria, identify trades for interfaces to perform measurement and threshold alert on a timely basis. Prepare plan as to how the sensor will be developed tested and manufactured in Phase II and III.

PHASE II: Integrate technologies identified in Phase I in a prototype unit.
Demonstrate technical maturity and performance.
Develop final packaging and design.
Submit samples to USMC for testing and evaluation.
Produce and test down load device and demonstrate data interface and database format.
Validate performance in military environment for moisture, heat, cold, dust dirt, impact and EMI.
Demonstrate interface with the plate carrier and vest.

PHASE III: Present manufactured item for first article test.
Perform first article test and mature manufacturing process.
Submit samples for testing by USMC and DOD.
Complete commercial product program

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A blast sensor could be used by anyone in the private sector that is exposed to blast

REFERENCES:
1. Journal OF NEUROTRAUMA 26:841-860 (June 2009) Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/new. 2009.0898 An Introductory Characterization of a Combat-Casualty-Care Relevant Swine Model of Closed Head Injury Resulting from Exposure to Explosive Blast

2. Taylor, Sir Geoffrey Ingram, "The formation of a blast wave by a very intense explosion. I. Theoretical discussion," Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 201, No. 1065, pages 159 - 174 (22 March 1950).

3. Chavko, M. et al., Measurement of blast wave by a miniature fiber optic pressure transducer in the rat brain. J Neuroscience Methods, 159:277-281, 2007

4. Bradley, J., Shock Waves in Chemistry and Physics, Chapman and Hall, London, 1962.

5. DARPA point paper on Blast sensors

KEYWORDS: Blast sensor; Overpressure; electronics; Acceleration meter; data recorder; explosive blast;

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between July 26 and August 26, 2012, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting August 27, 2012, , when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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