Defense Department seeking a better wearable power supply

The US Defense Department is looking to lighten the load soldiers have to lug around in order to keep all their gear powered, and its hoping the general public can help them do it. To that end, the DoD's gone and busted out a DARPA-style competition, with a million dollars in prize money in store for the winner. They'll have their work cut out for them though, as the competition demands that the power supply be half the weight of current systems while still providing the same amount of power (or more). That translates to a system that weighs no more than 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) and provides enough power for 96 hours of operation, with a peak power requirement of 200W for short periods. Even if you don't come out on top, you'll still have a shot at the $500,000 and $250,000 prizes for second and third place, although you'll have to get your act together pretty quickly: the cut-off date for registration is in November of this year, with the whole thing set to wrap up a year after that.

[Via The Inquirer]

[Big @ Jul 9th 2007 11:16AM]

I think it would be smart for power cells to be made similar to CAPRI SUN juice foil packs.

You would line the clothing itself with multiple power cells, spaced around the body in areas that won't get in the way (near the ankles, near the wrists, shoulders, on the back, etc.

The smart thing to do would be to make these cells out of a bullet proof (I said "proof" not "resistant") material such as NANOPARTICLE weaving.

Nanoparticles can become harder than steel when you run electricity through them. That is the future of ballistic armor.

You could concievably charge the entire suit itself merely by plugging it into a wall.

It would also be smart to consider lining pre-existing articles of clothing with battery cells such as the Helmet, the boots, etc.

4 kilograms spread evenly over the body would make it much easier to carry than a simple 4 kilogram backpack.

Basicaly, what I'm talking about is POWERED ARMOR.

[zorg @ Jul 9th 2007 11:53AM]

This is perfect!

Now if we can find a way to keep battles near electrical outlets we can defeat/save Iraq in a "surge"!

[Joe @ Jul 9th 2007 11:30AM]

Talk to the automotive industry. I'm sure they're sitting on some battery tech that would be useful

[roach @ Jul 9th 2007 12:06PM]

hydrogen fuel cell?

[paul34 @ Jul 9th 2007 1:40PM]

personal cold fusion generators FTW!

=p

[clembie @ Jul 9th 2007 1:54PM]

Is the DOD actually admitting is that, while insurgents are making bombs in bathtubs, our soldiers are at risk of dying because their batteries will run out?

[James @ Jul 9th 2007 1:59PM]

This sounds like a job for MISTER FUSION!

Oh, right, that doesn't actually exist. Shit.


Does anything currently on the market even approach that kind of energy density? I'm curious to see how e.g. a typical lithium-ion battery would compare to the goals they're setting.

[Ken @ Jul 9th 2007 2:27PM]

How about a fuel cell that processes nutrients in blood and excretes uric acid that can be later processed by the kidneys. Have it as an implant and plug into the soldier. Just remember to keep them properly fed and don't let it over draw its power source.

[David @ Jul 9th 2007 4:05PM]

Matrix, anyone?

[Caleb @ Jul 9th 2007 5:34PM]

They do have some bio based tech that is supposed to take off. I remember reading a PopSci article about this new type of battery that uses folds in the material its made of that proportionally longer battery life. IDK if surface has anything to do with it, but I think that's was the gist.

[Caleb @ Jul 9th 2007 5:38PM]

Can you say most grammatically incorrect post ever?

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 9th 2007 7:02PM]

Please Flag KEL's Comment by clicking the ! exclamation ! point instead of the + or -

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 9th 2007 7:03PM]

Ok, so you thought Dell laptop battery fires were bad.....

[Dakota @ Jul 9th 2007 7:15PM]

Instead of wasting money on F22s, F35s, more SSBNs and gee-whiz batteries, how about giving me and my troops:
1) better riles (6.5,6.8 or similar),
2) better pistols (and NOT in 9mm),
3) squad radios that have better range, better interoperability (with air assets and are secure (I should not have to rely on FRS/GMRS radios from Office Depot),
4) better boots and uniforms that do not rip out/wear out in a few months (ACU's are a bit flimsy),
5) MORE SOLDIERS FLUENT IN ARABIC, FARSI, PASHTO/DARI AND KURDISH!
6) MORE TROOPS (up the baseline numbers in the Army and Marines) and put more in of them in IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN.

Freaking gizmos do not and will not win this thing.
Troops do.
More troops and better basic tools.

Let get serious about this or go home.

[Big @ Jul 9th 2007 8:35PM]

I hate to say it, but you already know the truth.

America's ground troop strategy is to maximize the efficiency of individual soldiers without making them too expensive to field.

That means they would rather give you the bare minimum needed to fight, rather than send you out with railguns, ballistic armor and Carbine rifles with Chainsaw bayonets.

That's the reason the OICW XM-28 ultimately failed - too expensive.

The Air Force is lucky in that when the Air Force commitees see a new fighter jet with a feature list like something out of a Mercedes Benz S-Class manual...they drool over it and authorize it no matter how ridiculous it is.

The RAH-66 COMANCHE was spectacular but it didn't offer much advantage over the AH-64D Apache... CANCELLED.

The F-22 IS A WASTE OF MONEY - an idea left over from the cold war. We'll never need it because if we ever got into a conflict where we would actually need it, we'd most likely be involved in a Nuclear War.
Using the F-22 in the proposed GROUND ATTACK ROLE and Anti-IED role is RIDICULOUS.
Like using a Lamborghini Murcielago as a Pickup Truck.


The F-35 is not a waste of money. The F-35 will provide plenty of options to our Navy where Stealth and flexibility are required.
The F35 VTOL will replace the HARRIER II and when it comes down to it...will be GREAT AT AIR SHOWS. I'm all for it.

What I do believe is if we put more money into Ballistic Nanoparticle armor we could make our typical infantrymen nearly unstoppable and therefore reduce the amount of neccessary troops.