SBIR-STTR Award

Prevention Device Suitable for Exposure to Blast or Concussive Force
Award last edited on: 9/6/2022

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : DHA
Total Award Amount
$1,349,824
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
DHA211-002
Principal Investigator
Joseph Hamilton

Company Information

Karagozian & Case Inc (AKA: K&C~Karagozian and Case Inc~John Case and Associates)

700 North Brand Boulevard Suite 700
Glendale, CA 91203
   (818) 240-1919
   jakoby@kcse.com
   www.kcse.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 28
County: Los Angeles

Phase I

Contract Number: W81XWH21P0116
Start Date: 7/12/2021    Completed: 2/11/2022
Phase I year
2021
Phase I Amount
$249,937
The K&C ShockPads is a Blast Protection System (BPS) that is designed to integrate with combat helmets to greatly reduce the shock load and risk of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from blast overpressure. The BPS is designed to reduce the force load transfer from the exterior of the helmet and prevent underwash pressure effects between the head and helmet. This system accomplishes this by using a novel application of metamaterials. Metamaterials are artificially composite materials with special microstructures engineered to mitigate shock waves, and they are capable of being designed for single- or multi-axis configurations that attenuate specific frequencies of interest. The system is lightweight, comfortable, environmentally resistant for extreme conditions and easily removed and serviced by the end user.

Phase II

Contract Number: W81XWH22C0084
Start Date: 7/18/2022    Completed: 11/17/2024
Phase II year
2022
Phase II Amount
$1,099,887
Karagozian and Case, Inc. (K&C) and The Center of Injury Biomechanics at Virginia Tech are pleased to present this Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal to continue development of the K&C Blast Protection System (BPS) capable of reducing traumatic brain injury. This phase of development will build upon the success of Phase I, where the K&C BPS was shown to reduce blast pressures at the skull by up to 75% and impulse by up to 50% in testing. To provide that level of performance, the K&C design utilizes improved pad geometry and a novel metamaterial shock isolation system (MSIS) to prevent blast overpressure underwash effects and to more effectively absorb blast induced shock loads. In Phase II the team will develop MSIS designs that incorporate additive manufactured foam, providing anisotropic energy absorption capacity, allowing for novel structural designs to enhance performance. This BPS is designed to meet the requirements stated in DHA211-002 and intended to enhance the survivability of the Warfighter on the modern battlefield.