Contribution: Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security

To encourage the creation of new as well as support and sustain existing science and technology networks external to DND that can generate new ideas and formulate solutions to Canada's current and future defence and security requirements

Afin de favoriser la création de nouveaux réseaux ainsi que le soutient et le maintien des réseaux scientifiques et technologiques existants à l'extérieur du ministère de la Défense nationale qui peuvent générer de nouvelles idées et élaborer des solutions aux besoins actuels et futurs du Canada en matière de la défense et de la sécurité

This project will (i) Develop existing technologies and generate new technologies, producing high value improvements to previously patented inventions related to personal protection materials, in particular lightweight, flexible comfortable armour systems; (ii) improve the safety of Canadian workers in hazardous environments with industrial spin-offs beyond defence applications in sectors including mining and forestry; (iii) advance, research and develop materials that have the potential to be incorporated into new armour systems that are lighter, flexible and breathable, with comfort-enabling auxiliary technologies to surmount current discomfort experienced by the dismounted soldier; (iv) protect the soldier from non-kinetic threats via CBRNE protection; (v) provide all-weather protection, including from thermal extremes; (vi) strengthen the related fields of study and offer very strong potential for economic benefits, including creation of new jobs in existing firms and upskilling of existing employees adding value to firms using new materials; (vii) train over 20 highly-skilled personnel as experts in textile modification, chemistry, rheology, nanomaterials synthesis, kinesiology, thermal comfort, sensor design and ballistic testing; and (viii) publications will be generated and findings presented at national and international conferences, and reports will be generated for relevant industry partners.

The project aims to increase dismounted soldier protection from both kinetic and non-kinetic threats in complex urban environments, while simultaneously decreasing overall soldier discomfort. Investigate innovations in thermal regulation, moisture management, all-weather protection, flexible and breathable armour gel, and how each of these innovations interact with one another and with overall soldier comfort.

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Eight interrelated, comfort-enabling personal protection technologies will advance from SLR 2-5 to SRL 6+. The key outcome will be the development of personal protection technologies that exhibit low adoption barriers, and provide a platform where future innovations can consider the incorporation of dismounted soldier comfort.

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The Micro-net is composed of three (3) Principal Investigators (two (2) from University of British Columbia and one (1) from Lululemon Athletica), ten (10) Co-Investigators (seven (7) from University of British Columbia, one (1) from Apparel Innovation Centre, one (1) from University of Alberta, one (1) from University of Victoria) and 11 Collaborators from the Canadian academic and private sectors. Other funding: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada @ $150,000; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada @ 50,000; University of British Columbia @ $130,000; Lululemon Athletica @ $200,000 for a Grand Total of $2,030,000.

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