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A new physics-based computer model can evaluate the performance of a protective suit even before the suit is manufactured. The Individual Protection System Performance Model (IP SPM) software was developed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Chemical and Biological Technologies Department (DTRA CB), in collaboration with the Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Chemical Biological Center. The IP SPM software allows researchers to digitally evaluate the efficacy of a proposed protective suit in its conceptual phase — when it is just a small swatch of material.
Currently, a new protective suit must first be manufactured as a garment before any testing can begin. Researchers then challenge a manikin or robot wearing a proposed suit with chemical and biological warfare agents. Multiple suits, manikins, and robots are needed to conduct these assessments, which are lengthy and costly. Even more labor, money, and material are required to evaluate a suit’s barrier quality for the many ways in which warfighters can be exposed to chemical and biological agents.
The IP SPM software improves upon current evaluation methods and is undergoing independent verification, validation, and accreditation for use by operational testing agencies. The software measures the physical characteristics of a swatch of material and then simulates how well the material would safeguard a warfighter’s skin from contacting hazardous agents in various atmospheric conditions. The software rapidly produces data on many factors associated with the performance of the material-as-protective-suit, including:
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2020 15:32 |
| Story ID: | 361080 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 87 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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