DRAFT-_SOO_10-_Energy_Harvesting_Fabric.pdf

Energy Harvesting Fabric Statement of Objectives

February 13, 2017 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

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Energy Harvesting Fabric Statement of Objectives February 13, 2017

Table of Contents

1.0 Problem Statement

2.0 Purpose and Scope

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Mission Scenarios

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s)

6.0 System Support

6.1 Period and Place of Performance

6.2 Contract Deliverables

6.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

6.4 System Affordability

6.5 Training

6.6 Other Considerations

6.7 Storage and Maintenance

1.0 Problem Statement

Responders have the need for communications equipment, sensors for environmental and physiological monitors, and other equipment in the performance of their normal duties. As first responders increase their use of equipment for communications, situational awareness, monitoring, and improved technical capabilities, there is an increased requirement for sources of power to operate this equipment. Traditionally, each piece of equipment is powered by a dedicated power source, usually a rechargeable or replaceable battery. This has created a situation where batteries of various types, sizes, and weight are required to provide the necessary power required for the equipment that responders use in the performance of their duties. Since first responders are already carrying a heavy load of required equipment, non-traditional power sources to reduce the logistical and weight burden for responders are required. DHS S&T is looking for innovative energy-harvesting smart fabric technology for integration into first responder uniforms.

2.0 Purpose and Scope

The solution fabric should be able to be used for the manufacture of first responder garments, without compromising garment weight, traditional garment colors, comfort (including fit, garment “hand”, and cooling ability), environmental protection provided by the garment, or professional appearance of the garment ensemble. It should not interfere with the performance of any normal responder tasks. To ensure that any technology developed during this effort meets the needs of First Responders, it is anticipated that members of the DHS – S&T First Responders Resource Group (FRRG) will be asked for their input and comments periodically throughout the development cycle.

The fabric that is developed should be able to harness the energy from the environment in which the responders are operating to assist in powering the equipment that they are using. Different operational scenarios are envisioned. The first is a duty uniform that would be worn daily by law enforcement personnel, emergency medical technicians, and firefighters while they are performing routine tasks. It is envisioned that possible energy sources for these scenarios would include kinetic energy from the movement of the responders, solar energy, ambient light and heat sources, etc. The second scenario is a specialized application for wildland firefighters. In addition to kinetic energy generated by wildland firefighters as they are performing their duties, a wildland fire environment has an abundance of thermal energy and therefore is potentially a large source of power that can be utilized by responders to reduce their logical and weight burden. Applications include fabrics for use in wildland firefighting ensembles. The third scenario is for structural firefighters that work in a confined space in very close proximity to fires. Applications include fabrics that could be used in structural firefighting ensembles.

3.0 Background Environment

First responders work in dangerous environments that require the need for communications equipment, sensors for environmental and physiological monitors, and other equipment in the performance of their normal duties. The increased use of equipment for communications, situational awareness, monitoring, and improved technical capabilities, causes an increased requirement for sources of power to operate this equipment. Traditionally, each piece of equipment is powered by a dedicated power source, usually a rechargeable or replaceable battery. This has created a situation where batteries of various types, sizes, and weight are required to provide the necessary power required for the equipment that responders use in the performance of their duties.

Since First Responders are already carrying a heavy load of required equipment, non-traditional power sources to reduce the logistical and weight burden for responders are required.

3.1 Mission Scenarios

Different operational scenarios are envisioned. DHS is seeking energy harvesting fabric technology that addresses one or more of the following scenarios.

Scenario 1:

In the first scenario, the fabric would be used in duty uniforms that first responders wear daily. This could include station wear for firefighters (i.e. not turnout gear they wear while fighting fires), uniforms for law enforcement and emergency medical technician personnel, and special units (i.e.

mounted patrols, bike patrols, tactical units, search and rescue, etc.). Since the energy harvesting fabric will be used in garments that will be worn daily by responders, the fabric should at a minimum offer the same levels of durability and protection against environmental conditions (i.e.

rain, snow, temperature extremes, humidity, etc.) as the responder’s current duty uniform. Since a professional (and often a traditional) appearance is desired by many responder agencies, the fabric should be available in at least one of the traditional first responder colors (i.e. black or blue for the trousers and jackets; black, blue or white for shirts). The use of the energy harvesting fabric must not interfere with the responder’s ability to perform their normal tasks. Since this garment will be worn daily, the energy harvesting fabric should be able to retain its’ energy harvesting capabilities, should not shrink, retain its’ comfort, and retain color after 100 wash cycles. Any specialized laundering instructions for the energy harvesting fabric should be clearly stated by the awardee.

However, if specialized washing instructions are specified, they should be able to be performed in normal commercial/residential type equipment.

Unless it is not compatible with laundering instructions provided by the awardee, shrinkage of the fabric shall be measured by subjecting specimens to 100 cycles of washing and drying in accordance with the procedures specified in American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics in Automatic Home Laundering, using Machine Cycle 1, Wash Temperature V, and Drying Procedure Ai. The fade resistance shall be measured by AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home, and Commercial: Accelerated. Total Heat Loss (THL) shall be measured according to the procedures listed in Section 8.33 of NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”, 2013 Edition. The “hand” of the fabric will be determined by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 202 Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method using a current, standard duty uniform fabric as the reference material. The goal of the project is for garments made from the energy harvesting fabric be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1975 “Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services.”

Scenario 2:

For the second scenario, the fabric would be used for garments for use by wildland firefighters.

Wildland firefighters must hike to remote and sometimes distant locations to respond to fires.

These challenges are made more difficult by the extreme heat and humidity that typically accompany wildland fires. Wildland fighters may have to spend an extended period of time in a base camp near the fire as part of their duties and will have limited access to replacement batteries or other power sources to recharge the batteries required for their equipment. Therefore, power sourced during their normal duties from their operational environment would be beneficial and reduce their logistical burden.

Wildland firefighters may work very close to flames and encounter higher temperatures than the base ensemble garments discussed in the scenario above. Therefore, fabrics that can harvest thermal energy would be appropriate for this scenario. However, they do not encounter the extremely high temperatures that are typically found in the structural firefighting environment. The traditional color for wildland firefighter garments is yellow, so the fabric will have to be available in yellow for use in scenarios under this scenario.

The wildland firefighting garment should not shrink, must retain its’ comfort, and retain color after 30 wash cycles. Any specialized laundering instructions for the energy harvesting fabric should be clearly stated by the awardee. However, if specialized washing instructions are specified, they should be able to be performed in normal commercial/residential type equipment.

Unless it is not compatible with laundering instructions provided by the awardee, shrinkage of the fabric shall be measured by subjecting specimens to 30 cycles of washing and drying in accordance with the procedures specified in American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics in Automatic Home Laundering, using Machine Cycle 1, Wash Temperature V, and Drying Procedure Ai. The fade resistance shall be measured by AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home and Commercial: Accelerated. THL shall be measured according to the procedures listed in Section 8.33 of NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”, 2013 Edition. The “hand” of the fabric will be determined by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 202 Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method using a current wildland firefighter jacket as the reference material. The goal of the project is for garments made from the energy harvesting fabric be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1977 “Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting”

Scenario 3:

The third scenario involves structural firefighter work in close proximity to flames. They may encounter jagged metal, glass, rebar, etc. in the fire ground, and may have to crawl in order to move to a safer location. Therefore, their turnout gear must provide protection against high temperatures and dangerous conditions, while being durable to last in that environment. Structural firefighters experience three types of heat transfer while performing their duties: radiation, convection, and conduction. Any of these heat transfer modes could serve as a possible energy source for the energy harvesting fabric. The traditional color for structural firefighter garments is tan, so the fabric will have to be available in tan for use under this scenario.

The use of the energy harvesting fabric should not restrict the movement of firefighters or interfere with the normal performance of their duties. The fabric should be compatible with the procedures described in “Chapter 7: Cleaning and Decontamination” of the latest edition of National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1851 “Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximately Fire Fighting”. The goal of the project is for garments made from the energy harvesting fabric be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1971 “Standard on Protective Ensembles for

Structural Firefighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

Currently, first responders have the need for multiple pieces of equipment in the performance of their normal duties. As first responders increase their use of equipment for communications, situational awareness, monitoring, and improved technical capabilities, there is an increased requirement for sources of power to operate this equipment. Traditionally, each piece of equipment is powered by a dedicated power source, usually a rechargeable or replaceable battery. This has created a situation where batteries of various types, sizes, and weight are required to provide the necessary power required for the equipment that responders use in the performance of their duties.

In addition, first responders who will be on scene for long period of times, such as wildland firefighters, also need to carry extra batteries to power their equipment for extended periods of time.

Since first responders are already carrying a heavy load of required equipment, non-traditional power sources to reduce the logistical and weight burden for responders are required.

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

The solution will provide a fabric with the same level of comfort as current first responder uniform fabric. Fabric designed for use in daily uniforms must meet should not shrink, retain its’ comfort, and retain color after 100 wash cycles as described above. Garments made using these fabrics should be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1975 “Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services.” Fabric designed for use in wildland firefighting must retain its’ comfort, and retain color after 30 wash cycles as described above. Garments made using these fabrics should be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1977 “Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting”. Fabrics designed for use in structural firefighting garments must be able to protect firefighters from the environment hazards they encountered as discussed above.

Garments made with these fabrics should be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1971 “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”.

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

It is anticipated that this solution will be a fabric that can be used in the manufacturing of first responder uniforms. It is anticipated that the solution will be manufactured using advanced materials; however other solutions that meet the goals stated in this document are acceptable. The solution fabric should be able to be used for the manufacture of first responder garments, without compromising garment weight, traditional garment colors, comfort (including fit, garment “hand”, and cooling ability), environmental protection provided by the garment, or professional appearance of the garment ensemble. It should not interfere with the performance of any normal responder tasks.

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s) The proposed solution must:

• Harvest energy through use of kinetic energy of the wearer, environmentally-available energy sources, or other means;

• Provide a means to either store the harvested energy in batteries or other devices that are compatible with the first responders’ current equipment or directly power the first responders’ current equipment;

• Not compromise the garment weight, traditional colors, comfort (fit, garment “hand”, and cooling ability;

• Provide the same level of protection as current first responder garments;

• Provide for garments to be made that are professional in appearance;

• Allow for the normal movement and performance of first responder duties and activities;

• Cannot interfere with the function of other equipment and personal protective equipment

(PPE) used by the first responder;

• For fabrics designed for daily uniforms, the fabric must:

o Not shrink significantly after 100 cycles of washing and drying washing and drying in accordance with the procedures specified in American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics in Automatic Home Laundering, using Machine Cycle 1, Wash Temperature V, and Drying Procedure Ai;

o Be fade resistance as measured by AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home and Commercial: Accelerated;

o Meet target THL values as determined by the procedures listed in Section 8.33 of NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”, 2013 Edition;

o Have a similar fabric “hand” as traditional uniforms as determined by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 202 Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method using current, standard duty uniform fabric as the reference material; and o Garment made utilizing these fabrics must be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1975 “Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services”.

• For fabrics designed for wildland firefighting uniforms, the fabric must:

o Not shrink significantly after 30 cycles of washing and drying washing and drying in accordance with the procedures specified in American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics in Automatic Home Laundering, using Machine Cycle 1, Wash Temperature V, and Drying Procedure Ai;

o Be fade resistance as measured by AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home and Commercial: Accelerated;

o Meet target THL values as determined by the procedures listed in Section 8.33 of NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”, 2013 Edition;

o Have a similar fabric “hand” as traditional uniforms as determined by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 202 Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method using current, standard duty uniform fabric as the reference material; and o Garment made utilizing these fabrics must be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1975 “Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services”.

• For fabrics designed for structural fire turnout gear, the fabric must:

o The fabric should be compatible with the procedures described in “Chapter 7:

Cleaning and Decontamination” of the latest edition of National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1851 “Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximately Fire Fighting”; and o Garment made utilizing these fabrics must be able to be certified to the current edition of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1971 “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”.

6.0 System Support

6.1 Period and Place of Performance

The anticipated period of performance for the contract shall be between 18 to 24 months and shall not exceed the latter. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform preliminary and critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

6.2 Contract Deliverables

It is expected that this project would be divided into four phases, with different deliverables required in each phase as described below. Each phase is anticipated to be approximately six months in length, resulting in a project lasting 24 months from kickoff to completion of prototypes.

The deliverables for each phase are:

• Phase I: Small scale demonstration that the fabric developed can harvest energy from normal First Responder operational environments. This can be shown through a simple laboratory experience such as connecting a meter to the fabric developed to illustrate that electricity is being generated in response to the selected environmental stimulus (i.e. light, heat, motion, etc.);

• Phase II: Production of fabric swatches to determine fabric “hand”, shrinkage, fade resistance, and THL. Shrinkage of the fabric shall be measured by subjecting specimens to 100 cycles of washing and drying in accordance with the procedures specified in American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 135, Dimensional Changes of Fabrics in Automatic Home Laundering, using Machine Cycle 1, Wash Temperature V, and Drying Procedure Ai. The fade resistance shall be measured by AATCC 61, Colorfastness to Laundering, Home and Commercial: Accelerated. THL shall be measured according to the procedures listed in Section 8.33 of NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting”, 2013 Edition. The “hand” of the fabric will be determined by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM 202 Relative Hand Value of Textiles: Instrumental Method using a current, standard duty uniform fabric as the reference material. These tests can be conducted in-house or by a certified testing laboratory;

• Phase III: The ability to manufacture the fabric shall be demonstrated by the production of a minimum of 50 square yards of fabric. Ideally, the fabric should be able to be produced in standard industrial production run widths (i.e. 54” – 60”) and able to be manufactured on existing equipment, using standard manufacturing techniques. The fabric produced in Phase III can be used for testing, evaluation, or production of the Phase IV garments; and

• Phase IV: Garments that are able to be certified to the scenario appropriate NFPA standards shall be delivered to the DHS Program Manager. It is anticipated that these garments will be provided to the FFRG members from the appropriate first responder discipline for their evaluation.

DHS is committed to ensuring the success of their technology by requiring the project performer to provide DHS multiple prototype deliverables which will be used for post-contract testing and evaluation by operational rescue hoist personnel. The number of prototype garments required will depend on the type of uniform piece designed. A minimum of 150 prototype garments for evaluation by first responders shall be provided as a final project deliverable for daily uniform (Scenario 1) solutions. A minimum of 50 prototype garments for evaluation by first responders shall be provided as a final project deliverable for wildland firefighting (Scenario 2) solutions. A minimum of 10 prototype garments for evaluation by first responders shall be provided as a final project deliverable for structural firefighting turnout gear (Scenario 3) solutions.

DHS is also committed to ensuring the use of their technology by the first responder community by documenting metrics regarding product sales and estimated production costs for the first three years after commercialization. Additionally, to promote first responder technology awareness DHS may participate in operational exercises, demonstrations, and conferences for the first three years after commercialization.

6.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

DHS is committed to providing information regarding the availability of their technology to the first responder community by requiring the project performer to submit applications to be added to the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authorized Equipment List (AEL) and the Inter-Agency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IAB) Standardized Equipment List (SEL) as a final deliverable.

6.4 System Affordability

It is envisioned that the solution will be cost effective so that first responders from a wide variety of jurisdictions will be able to afford this additional level of protection. First responders’ budgets are limited and should be taken into consideration when developing and determining a price per unit cost model. A target price for the daily uniform (Scenario 1) garment is less than $200. A target price for wildland firefighting (Scenario 2) garment is less than $450. A target price for the structural fire turnout gear (Scenario 3) garment is less than $2000.

6.5 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment and shall include how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic ensemble/unit. If a replaceable part is included in the device, proper procedures for replacing that part should be specified. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard-copy, and subsequently in soft-copy format.

Training for appropriate use should be minimal and incorporated into existing training for donning and doffing uniforms/protective gear.

6.6 Other Considerations

Human Interface Requirements: The target user includes first responders working both in a standard, safe environment and also in an emergency environment. The solution should be as comfortable as standard duty uniforms, provide the same level of protections, allow performance of all required duties, and should not interfere with the operation of other equipment and personal protective equipment worn by first responders.

Logistics and Readiness: The solution developed under this award is envisioned as a garment that can generate electrical power for use by responders during the performance of their normal duties and activities.

6.7 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including the following, if applicable: the required maintenance schedule, if any cleaning or maintenance is needed for the solution either during use or in order to be reused subsequent times, identification of the specific components of the solution that requires the maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.

Specific instructions for cleaning or otherwise preparing the energy generating garment that was developed under this SOO shall be included. Any cleaning recommendations should be viable and cost effective for first responders and first responder agencies, and should ideally be able to be performed “in-house” using normal residential/commercial laundry equipment.