US Department of Defense
BLAST INJURY RESEARCH
COORDINATING OFFICE
Advancing Blast Injury Research to Protect and Heal Those Who Serve

Preventing and Controlling Wound Infections

In September 2014, a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 award was made for a topic proposed by the Blast Injury Research PCO; topic titled, "Antimicrobials Textiles". This ongoing project focuses on the scientific research to identify a lightweight, durable, antimicrobial finish that can be applied to textiles to prevent and/or control infections – including those resulting from blast injuries – in military medical shelters and field hospitals. The project characterizes, develops, and optimizes a catalytic antimicrobial system, and provides data on the extent of coating coverage, functional group density, coating adhesion, and antimicrobial activity. This novel technology could be used on multiple fabric types to generate antimicrobial textiles with many military and civilian applications including anti-infective wound dressings, hospital textiles, bedding, wipes, heating/ventilation/air conditioning filters, and various medical devices.

Last modified: 23-May-2017