Lightweight, Non-Absorbent, Loose-Fill and Batting-Type       Thermal Insulations for Cold Climate Clothing
{'Code': '15030000', 'Directorate': {'Abbreviation': 'TIP', 'LongName': 'Dir for Tech, Innovation, & Partnerships'}, 'Division': {'Abbreviation': 'TI', 'LongName': 'Translational Impacts'}}
{'SignBlockName': 'Ritchie B. Coryell', 'PO_EMAI': None, 'PO_PHON': None}
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This is the second phase of this project,                 and will continue efforts in researching thermal insulation for                 use in cold climate clothing derived from Thermalon's licensed                  polymeric honeycomb technology is proposed in response to the                   emphatic need for one insulation which (1) has the same low                     density, compressibility, and long service life as high-quality                 down, (2) exhibits thermal transmittance equal or better than 550                                                                                               fillpower down, (3) retains less water, dries faster, and                       maintains more loft when saturated than down or synthetic fiber                 insulations, and (4) readily transmits vaporous perspiration to                 reduce thermal stress during periods of exertion in cold climate                environments.                                                                                                                                                   A loose-fill honeycomb-like material, with an initial density of                0.14 pounds per cubic foot (750 cubic inch per ounce fillpower),                will be created from thin, stiff, resilient polymeric films using                                                                                               in-house equipment.  This material, contained between layers of                 fabric to simulate clothing applications, will be tested to                     determine thermal transmittance, evaporative heat transfer, water                                                                                               retention, and drying rate.  Additional fibers which may be                                                                                                     suitable for the honeycombing process will be identified and                                                                                                    tested, studies of garment construction techniques will be                                                                                                      conducted, use testing will be completed, and a commercialization                                                                                               plan will be developed.  Compression cycling and wash cycling                                                                                                   will simulate typical garment/sleeping bag life.  Control samples                                                                                               of 550 fillpower down and Dupont Quallofil (R) will undergo the                                                                                                 same rigorous testing to allow comparison.  Previous research                                                                                                   indicates that loose-fill polymeric honeycomb will be superior to                                                                                               550 fillpower down or fibrous synthetic insulations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The proposed insulation would be used in civilian and military                                                                                                  cold climate clothing and sleeping bags.  If the Research                                                                                                       Objectives can be achieved, the loose-fill honeycomb insulation                                                                                                 would be a desireable alternative to down.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      JUSTIFICATION:  The project, which was submitted under the Small                                                                                                Business Innovative Research Program, has been reviewed by four                                                                                                 persons familiar with the field of research.  Overall, peer                                                                                                     review is positive, The budget appears to be reasonable, and                                                                                                    funding is justified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           RECOMMENDATION:  I recommend that the project be funded.
{'FirstName': 'Stephen', 'LastName': 'Miller', 'PI_MID_INIT': 'D', 'PI_SUFX_NAME': None, 'PI_FULL_NAME': 'Stephen D Miller', 'EmailAddress': None, 'PI_PHON': None, 'NSF_ID': '000471816', 'StartDate': '09/01/1988', 'EndDate': None, 'RoleCode': 'Principal Investigator'}
{'Name': 'Thermalon Industries Ltd', 'CityName': 'Harbor City', 'ZipCode': '907103327', 'PhoneNumber': '2135395367', 'StreetAddress': '1422 West 259th St', 'StreetAddress2': None, 'CountryName': 'United States', 'StateName': 'California', 'StateCode': 'CA', 'CONGRESSDISTRICT': '33', 'CONGRESS_DISTRICT_ORG': 'CA33', 'ORG_UEI_NUM': None, 'ORG_LGL_BUS_NAME': None, 'ORG_PRNT_UEI_NUM': None}
{'Name': None, 'CityName': None, 'StateCode': None, 'ZipCode': None, 'StreetAddress': None, 'CountryCode': None, 'CountryName': None, 'StateName': None, 'CountryFlag': None, 'CONGRESSDISTRICT': None, 'CONGRESS_DISTRICT_PERF': '""'}
{'Code': '5373', 'Text': 'SBIR Phase II'}
{'url': 'https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/download?DownloadFileName=1988&All=true', 'xml': '8801660.xml'}