In-the-field protection from of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as VX, sarin, or sulfur mustard is a challenging and important goal of the Second Skin concept. Our unique approach is to destroy these extremely toxic agents through the use of reactive catalytic compounds embedded in a reactive thin protective layer. This protective layer mimics living skin in that upon CWA challenge, it actively reacts with the agents, neutralizes the threat and then self-exfoliates, removing the contaminated layer and exposing fresh protective under-layers. We have expertise in network polymer systems (gels, polymer brushes and nanoparticles) that can be triggered to degrade and release upon appropriate chemical signaling events. These network systems can be loaded with appropriate catalytic compounds and the byproduct of the destruction of the CWA will auto-catalyze the degradation of the network. These systems are selective, sensitive and automated, requiring no secondary sensing or external triggering to activate. The chemistries lend themselves to additional function, such as release of secondary compounds that may be used to alert the user of contamination or shutdown and block underlying layers. This talk will disclose the chemical structures and materials that have successfully displayed a triggered response.

Auto-exfoliation/regeneration functionality for CWA threat reduction

247th National Meeting (2014)

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