Articulating Thermal Sensing Manikin System for Burn Injury Prediction Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-143 Topic Title: Articulating Thermal Sensing Manikin System for Burn Injury Prediction Proposal No.: N112-143-0144 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Applied Technologies Division 1845 West 205th Street Torrance, California 90501 Contact: Hans-Peter Brecht Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy's need for a manikin that can provide comprehensive testing of thermal protection clothing in a flame-filled environment, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new ARticulated THErmal SEnsing MAnikin (ARTHESEMA), based on a new design that uses POC-developed G10-FR4 structural elements and pneumatic actuators. Innovations in durable air muscles will enable realistic repeated body movements in a flame-filled environment to accurately test the functionality of protective clothing under thermal and mechanical stress. As a result, this full-size articulated thermal-sensing manikin will facilitate simultaneous realistic temperature recording of 128 positions on the manikin's surface, allowing for accurate burn injury prediction. Flame-retardant materials and ARTHESEMA's modularity will ensure the capability for repeated use with minimal maintenance requirements, directly addressing platform requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of ARTHESEMA by computer simulation using computer aided design (CAD), with SolidWorks, and thermal simulation, with COMSOL. To verify these computer simulations, POC plans to build a partial prototype, consisting of an articulated thermal sensing arm. In Phase II, POC plans to build a full-scale prototype based on design specifications from Phase I. Benefits: POC's ARTHESEMA will deliver benefits to government agencies by providing them with a novel means to test their protective clothing in a flash burn scenario. This innovative system tests protective clothing under a combination of thermal and mechanical stress. Other institutions, both in government and the commercial sector, will also benefit from ARTHESEMA technology. A 2004 study on the Economic Consequences of Firefighter Injury issued for the Department of Commerce stated that the cost of addressing firefighter injury is estimated at $7.8 billion each year. The majority of the injuries occurring to firefighters are muscle injuries (50%) and wounds and cuts (20%); burns occur only in 6.2% of firefighter injuries. The study stated that in spite of the low occurrence of burn injuries in comparison with other injuries, serious burn injuries are the most devastating injury in pain and suffering, as well as in cost. Innovative protection equipment will reduce the occurrence of these most devastating injuries for all first responders. ARTHESEMA could become the new standard for flame-retardant testing of protective clothing. Return