SBIR-STTR Award

The K&C ShockPads is a Blast Protection System (BPS) that is designed to integrate with combat helmets to greatly reduce the shock load and risk of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from blast overpressure. The BPS is designed to reduce the force load transfer from the exterior of the helmet and prevent underwash pressure effects between the head and helmet. This system accomplishes this by using a novel application of metamaterials. Metamaterials are artificially composite materials with special microstructures engineered to mitigate shock waves, and they are capable of being designed for single- or multi-axis configurations that attenuate specific frequencies of interest. The system is lightweight, comfortable, environmentally resistant for extreme conditions and easily removed and serviced by the end user.

Karagozian and Case, Inc. (K&C) and The Center of Injury Biomechanics at Virginia Tech are pleased to present this Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal to continue development of the K&C Blast Protection System (BPS) capable of reducing traumatic brain injury. This phase of development will build upon the success of Phase I, where the K&C BPS was shown to reduce blast pressures at the skull by up to 75% and impulse by up to 50% in testing. To provide that level of performance, the K&C design utilizes improved pad geometry and a novel metamaterial shock isolation system (MSIS) to prevent blast overpressure underwash effects and to more effectively absorb blast induced shock loads. In Phase II the team will develop MSIS designs that incorporate additive manufactured foam, providing anisotropic energy absorption capacity, allowing for novel structural designs to enhance performance. This BPS is designed to meet the requirements stated in DHA211-002 and intended to enhance the survivability of the Warfighter on the modern battlefield.