Insulating Barriers for Softwall Shelters Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-088 Topic Title: Insulating Barriers for Softwall Shelters Proposal No.: N142-088-0407 Firm: LGarde, Inc. 15181 Woodlawn Avenue Tustin, California 92780-6487 Contact: Linden Bolisay Phone: (714) 259-0771 Web Site: www.lgarde.com Abstract: Softwall shelter systems are unable to maintain comfortable interior working and living conditions when used at locations with extreme environments and possess poor energy efficiency through high fuel consumption. LGarde, Inc. is currently developing a thermal insulation system for softwall shelters to address the need to increase energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption in the military. LGarde's insulation system is based on Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) panels that can be easily fabricated from commercially available products and retrofitted into existing shelters. The MLI panels offer high insulation capabilities while still possessing low mass and thickness in the stowed state, high packaging ratio, and performance in low and high temperature conditions as well as in humid climates. During Phase I, the feasibility of the insulation system will be demonstrated through both analytical methods and experiments. In Phase II, we will develop a prototype of the softwall shelter integrated with the LGarde's insulation system for further evaluation through field testing in relevant environments, as well as refine and optimize the manufacturing process to fabricate the insulation. In Phase III, efforts will focus on transitioning the technology for Marine Corps use. Benefits: Applications of the LGarde insulation system include military and commercial. Phase I will lay the foundation for the cost-effective fabrication strategy, and will provide the basis for designing the Phase II methodology. During Phase II, the fabrication process will also be optimized to lower cost to volume manufacture the insulation system. In Phase III, we will begin developing strategies to integrate the insulation system to other military softwall shelters as well as the commercial market. Commercial products include recreational tents, sleeping pads, emergency tents, pop-up campers, event tents, and other temporary shelters. Return