MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: CBD12-105

Description

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs) protect soldiers and civilian personnel from malicious or natural environmental threats. Scott Aviation first introduced the Air-Pack in 1945. Since then no breakthrough technologies have been introduced to improve this system. Mainstream is developing a range of multi-faceted breakthrough technologies for SCBAs.We are currently demonstrating prototypes for oxygen storage. The prototype in Phase II is defined as the high pressure tolerance nanomaterial, incorporated with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA both seals the nanomaterial against high pressure gas and allows the gas to be electrochemically compressed into, and regulated out of the prototype. The current system is defined as several prototypes stacked in series and the storage/release cycle is controlled by a power supply and computer software. The Phase II system is 1/64th scale compared to a 3 L cylinder. The next step to bring this breakthrough technology to market is to increase production capacity, validate manufacturing reproducibility, and demonstrate a 1/8th scale system in a simulated breathing loop.