Project Number: 6615-32000-043-28
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jul 21, 2008
End Date: Sep 30, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this work is to identify and isolate novel repellents for use on military fabrics, comprising uniforms and tent materials. The intent is to find a sufficiently volatile active compound that can a) impart a spatial repellent effect when used on or in a military fabric; and b) is safe for skin contact.

Approach:
MFRU has compounds known to impart spatial repellency but lacks the equipment necessary to further isolate some of these active ingredients from their natural crude extracts. MFRU will identify lead actives, purify them with the equipment, and validate these in laboratory bioassays. Natick Soldier Center has funds available for this project and will provide the expertise to bind active ingredients into military fabrics. Promising results from laboratory bioassays with be field-tested in coordination with Natick Soldier Center.