The UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new innovation funding competition which is seeking proposals to address the challenge of providing dermal protection against liquid chemical contamination.
Traditionally, dermal liquid protection has been provided by an air permeable, two-layer system, comprising an outer fabric – which controls the initial liquid interaction with the surface – and a carbon layer to absorb any vapours which penetrate the outer layer. It is the combination of these two layers which enables the wearer to operate in a CBRN environment without incurring the associated physiological burden of an air impermeable garment.
Changes in legislation (e.g. REACH) over recent years are constraining the methods available to defense and security for providing dermal protection against low surface tension liquids (such as chemical warfare agents. Due to these changes, DASA is seeking innovative methods for future dermal protection.
This competition has two challenges. The total possible funding available for this competition for both challenges is £2.6 million across the total two year duration. DASA anticipate funding up to 10 proposals for each challenge.
The competition closes on 15 April 2025.