Due: March 13, 2025
ABSTRACT
TechConnect’s client seeks to enhance the comfort and effectiveness of its workers by identifying next-generation communication and thermal management technologies that also deliver top-notch safety performance. Mature technologies which can be rapidly deployed are of primary interest.
BACKGROUND
TechConnect’s client, a large multinational materials corporation, operates facilities that experience high temperatures and loud noises. To adequately protect themselves, workers wear an array of personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hats, ear protection, face protection and thermally reflective aluminum fabric suits. For communication amongst themselves and with others on-site, workers rely on handheld radios.
While the combined PPE is effective, it isn’t comfortable for workers and the multiple layers of protection make communication difficult. To enhance workplace conditions, TechConnect’s client seeks new technologies to improve the comfort and communication of workers in extreme environments.
Area of Interest: Thermal Management Technologies
Technologies proposed to improve the thermal comfort of workers must:
- Provide a comfortable interior environment
- Allow for full or nearly full range of motion
- Not obscure user’s field of view
- Not substantially increase the weight carried
A variety of tasks are performed in the high temperature environment, some of which have the potential for direct contact with melted materials. PPE technologies that can adequately protect workers during tasks with or without the potential for direct contact are of interest. Proposed solutions should indicate their suitability for direct contact.
Approaches of interest include but are not limited to new thermal protection technologies, user-worn active or passive cooling, or thermally responsive textiles. Wearable sensors that only provide data on user temperature/comfort are not of interest.
Area of Interest: Communication Systems
Proposed communication systems must:
- Minimally impact usage of other required PPE
- Be suitable for extended exposure to high ambient temperatures and radiant heat sources
- Allow person-to-person and person-to-group communication
- Not substantially increase the weight carried by the user
Approaches of interest include but are not limited to hands-free radios, bone conduction communication technologies, or ear protection systems that incorporate communications. Other communications technologies, especially ones adapted from other industries, are potentially of interest
REQUIREMENTS
Regardless of area of interest, proposed technologies must be ready for pilot-scale field testing by Q3/Q4 2025 at the client’s facilities in the US. Pilot-scale testing will demonstrate overall effectiveness of proposed technologies as well as compatibility with existing PPE.
Relevant technologies from all industries are of interest including ones developed for emergency responders, defense applications, and industrial operations such as metals processing.
TechConnect encourages solvers to highlight capabilities in their submission that meet criteria including:
- Type of proposed technology
- Thermal Management Technology
- Communication System
- Operational temperature range and maximum
- Description of anticipated performance in a high temperature environment
- Examples of current or potential usage in the field
- Technical maturity
- Ability to demonstrate proposed technology
- Preferred collaboration types
- Qualifications of team members
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SOLVERS
The client will evaluate all eligible submissions and invite respondents of interest to attend a virtual meeting, currently scheduled for April 2025. Selected respondents will have the opportunity to present a brief overview of their proposed technology and respond to questions from the client team. Following the virtual meeting, the client will make final selections regarding direct engagement.
TechConnect will include all complete and eligible entries in an exclusive opportunity report for the client. Solvers with well-matched capabilities may be contacted directly by either TechConnect or the client to discuss potential partnership opportunities, including but not limited to demonstrations, consulting, contract research, licensing, and more. Top-rated entries may also be invited to register or participate in an upcoming TechConnect event or pitch program.
The goal of this sprint is to facilitate contact and interactions between the Sprint sponsor and commercial entities (including startups), technology developers or research organization/university in this space.