Development of a Extremely Compact and Lightweight Sleeping Bag Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-107 Topic Title: Development of a Extremely Compact and Lightweight Sleeping Bag Proposal No.: N062-107-0862 Firm: ASPEN AEROGELS, INC. 30 Forbes Road Building B Northborough, Massachusetts 01532 Contact: Greg Caggiano Phone: (508) 691-1134 Web Site: www.aerogel.com Abstract: The USMC has the need for improved military issue sleeping bag systems that reduce the weight to 7.22 lbs and pack volume to 1040 cubic inches. To achieve these significant improvements will require a bottom up redesign of the sleeping bag and evaluation of all components of the system. Finding a thinner, more efficient insulation will be one of the key material challenges to developing the advanced sleeping bag. Aspen Aerogels proposes to lead a team to develop an aerogel insulated sleeping bag with the desired weight and pack volume. The team will examine how best to integrate the aerogel by evaluating the overall design, materials, and assembly. The Phase I will focus on material selection, sub-element manufacture and test, and a final prototype manufacture. In Phase II we will build a detailed thermal model and manufacture and test the newly designed sleeping bag system. Benefits: The resultant sleeping bag will have reduced weight and pack, further reducing the load of troops in the field and thus improving their effectiveness in the field. The technology developed can directly transfer to other military sleeping bag systems for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Additionally, the technology will also be directly applicable to the consumer goods industry for recreational camping, extreme environment expeditions and emergency relief applications. Return