Technologies from astronaut suits improve protective clothing

The objective is to develop a higher quality thermal and moisture management layer for protective clothing that complies with EU directives. If used for protective clothing, this new material could make the working environment safer and better by reducing the risk of heat stress and heatstrokes for those operating in hot and dangerous, often stressful jobs.

Following a preliminary feasibility and concept validation study supported by ESA's Technology Transfer Programme, the project received financial support from the EC under its CRAFT initiative to reach a pre-competitive stage of development.

As the Project Coordinator, Italian company D'Appolonia has the role of gathering together the research efforts to maximise the effectiveness of the results. In the role of RTD, D'Appolonia is also responsible for two research areas: defining the conceptual design of the protective garment and simulating, with advanced FEM-CFD mathematical analysis (computational fluid dynamics, finite element method), the textile's behaviour during the different stages of development.  
 
Italian company Grado Zero Espace is the RTD expert in smart materials and high-tech textiles. They provide the consortium with their long-term expertise on protective, smart and multifunctional textiles gained during several successful technology transfer projects based on the technologies used to develop astronauts' cooling suits. These include developing cooled overalls for the McLaren Formula-1 mechanics and cooled underwear for the Spanish Moto-GP driver, Sete Gibernau.

CIOP-PIB, the Polish Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute, has researched the specific needs of firefighters and industrial workers. As an RTD partner in the project, they are also responsible for laboratory testing of textile layers and garments.

The Italian SME Tirso is a technical filament supplier specialised in technical, protective and flame-resistant fibres, and in specific yarn treatments. This company is supplying the hydrophilic hollow fibre required for the moisture management layer used in the clothing.

Jè Bè is a Belgian SME manufacturer of thermal comfort fibre. This provides good wearability and skin compatibility for the inner side of the thermal inlay.

Rossini is an Italian SME specialised in 3D-knitting. For the project they have analysed and selected the most suitable textile structure to ensure the best properties of thermal insulation, fibre distribution, lightness and flexibility, while ensuring compliance with thickness specifications.

MTS is an Italian SME manufacturer specialised in post-treatment of fabric, in particular in coating with polymeric materials. MTS is responsible for the interlay finishing of the garment equipped with the moisture absorption layer to enhance thermal comfort and protection for the wearer.

GRAPIL, a Polish SME, manufactures protective clothing for industrial use where heat protection is vital, such as in the glass and metal industries. The company brings to the project their expertise in producing high quality special clothing fulfilling EU standards. Protective clothing from GRAPIL is produced according to the following norms: PN-89-P-04 987, PN-EN 531 and PN-EN 1149-1.

Tacconi is an Italian SME and producer of protective garment for sportswear, industry and firefighting. Their garments respond to the strictest requirements of the EU: EN 531, EN 340 and Council directive 89/686/EEC.

TAPS is a Polish SME whose main business is the production of seats for transport vehicles including cars and trains. They joined the consortium to widen the use of the Safe&Cool protective textiles by including the improvement of thermal comfort and moisture management in the materials used in the transportation sector.