Sorption Pumped Individual Cooling Element Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-104 Topic Title: Sorption Pumped Individual Cooling Element Proposal No.: N062-104-0136 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Applied Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Michael Reznikov Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: Today's warfighter needs to drink over a gallon of water a day to compensate for water loss. If water is warm, soldiers drink less, which can result in dehydration. No current solution can cool 100 oz. of water by 20 degrees F and meet the 2 cu. in. volume and 0.5 lb. weight requirement. To meet the Navy need, POC proposes to develop a novel Sorption Pumped Individual Cooling element (SPICE) that will chill the beverage by the evaporation of water from the flow-through dispenser to the detachable absorber. In Phase I POC will research refrigerant and sorption materials, comparing the operational effectiveness, weight, size, cost, health hazards, safety, ruggedness, shelf life, and stability. These trade-off studies will determine the preferred characteristics of SPICE. POC will design and demonstrate at least proof-of-principle prototypes for the best alternative that will cool water by 20 degrees F in less than 10 seconds per once and meet the 8 oz. weight requirement. In Phase II POC will refine the design and will build and demonstrate a field-ready prototype to the Navy for use in combination with the 100 oz. OTMHS. Benefits: POC's proposed Sorption Pumped Individual Cooling Element (SPICE) will have a variety of military applications, including as individual battlefield equipment of regular soldiers, and as an emergency tool for fighting vehicles. The Air Force and Navy can incorporate the SPICE as an element of standard survival kit of pilots and Marines. The problem of individual hydration is a serious one for any human activity in hot climates. This includes cycling, mountain biking, hiking, outdoor works, and even beaching. There is a vast potential market for this innovative, new chilling device. Return