SBIR-STTR Award

The Army is seeking development of near infrared reflectance (NIR) inks compatible with digital ink jet printing machines for rapid deployment of region specific camouflage. The new ink will be used to print on a variety of military substrates for combat uniforms and/or specialized clothing/items for unique environments that can meet the current/future near infrared requirements without compromising the material requirements for clothing and individual equipment. Although clothing systems have typically used traditional textile printing processes, ink jet printing may provide rapid fielding, be less costly and offer other camouflage alternatives with advanced protection on a multitude of substrates. Easy Group, LLC. (EASY GROUP) proposes to develop a new ink formulation that provides the Near Infrared Reflectance properties and performance for printed fabric based on its expertise on ink chemistry suitable for inkjet printers, textile fiber and nylon types and the modification of its existing products to fit new technology. The new technology, called NIR Chemistry Increased-Load Adaptive-flow (NICIA) Ink and Software System, aims to function with existing inkjet printers and components.

Keywords:
Ink Jet Dyes, Digital Ink Jet Printing, Textiles, Near Infrared, Night Vision Goggles, Camouflage

The Army has strong demand for the development of near infrared reflectance (NIR) inks compatible with digital ink jet printing machines for rapid deployment of region specific camouflage. Currently, there is a capability gap for the production of inkjet digitally printed camouflage colors and patterns that have manageable NIR properties. Therefore, new developed camouflage can only be readily tested for daytime conditions. During Phase 1, Easy Group showed successful inkjet on NYCO samples that met and exceeded Army Phase 1 requirements by NIR measurements performed from the Army’s Camouflage Evaluation Facility. And, thereby proved feasibility of its new technology, called NIR Chemistry Increased-Load Adaptive-flow (NICIA) Ink and its Software System. In Phase 2, Easy Group is proposing to extend its Phase 1 groundwork to a complete laboratory prototype inkjet digital printing solution that can accomplish full mix-color camouflage inkjet printing with NIR capabilities. As such it enables the Army to dramatically improve time, cost, efficiency and region specific camouflage evaluation capabilities, and increase success in military specific missions. Commercial market opportunities for the innovative technology have also been identified in the textile and digital printing markets, the security ink and specialty ink and coating markets.

Keywords:
Inkjet, Digital Printing, Textile, Cmyk, Night Vision Goggles, Nir, Camouflage, Dtg