Additive Manufacturing for Protective Eyewear
ID: A24B-T019Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Additive Manufacturing for Protective Eyewear

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2605969

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Additive Manufacturing for Protective Eyewear" as part of their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to develop materials and manufacturing methods for ballistic protection eyewear lenses with integrated prescription correction that can be produced using additive manufacturing (AM) technology. The current method of using separate corrective lenses creates integration issues and logistical burdens. The goal is to create customized optical lenses that meet all requirements for ballistic protection while providing excellent optical quality and stability.

In Phase I, the focus is on developing materials and additive manufacturing processes to fabricate optically transparent plaques that provide ballistic protection. The cured plaques should remain transparent and impact-resistant across various environmental conditions. Possible candidate materials include acrylics, urethanes, and polycarbonates.

In Phase II, the materials and processes will be optimized to allow for AM of optical quality structures that meet military requirements for luminous transmittance, optical clarity, and ballistic performance. The goal is to print eyewear lens prototypes with custom vision correction in less than three hours. The fidelity of the printed parts to the original design and the optical transparency and ballistic protection of the prototypes will be demonstrated.

In Phase III, the technology developed can have dual-use applications in both military and civilian sectors. It will enhance situational awareness by providing customized vision correction and reduce the logistical burden for replacement lenses. The civilian sector, particularly in safety, sports, and augmented reality, would benefit from this technology.

The project duration is not specified, but the solicitation is currently open, with a closing date of June 12, 2024. More details can be found on the grants.gov website or the DOD SBIR/STTR Opportunities page.

Files
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