US Army DEVCOM | High Speed Moisture Transfer

Olivia Hensley, Carson Jenkins, Erica Lally, Elizabeth Redvanly

Our project, High Speed Moisture Transfer, sponsored by U.S. Army DEVCOM is focused on redesigning the current cold weather-base layer uniforms. In their day to day operations, our soldiers are being put in cold, uncomfortable and potentially more dangerous situations as sweat is being trapped within their base layer uniform. We have learned so much throughout this project, such as specifications required for U.S. Army garments, wicking/moisture management techniques, 3D modeling software, various standardized tests and teamwork.

We conducted background research and benchmark testing both in the Senior Design Lab and in the Textile Protection and Comfort Center on the current base layer uniforms and other competing product technologies we selected as our benchmark products.

From our background research and meetings with various professors/professionals we decided to move forward with constructing a knit garment, plaited with a wool/nylon blended yarn and various polyester yarns. We originally tested three samples: 80/20 wool/nylon plaited with Sorbtek, 80/20 wool/ nylon plaited with Coolmax, and 80/20 wool/nylon plaited with a Coolmax/Thermolite blend.

Through working with Jenna DeCandio in the Knitting Lab at the Wilson College of Textiles, we constructed the prototypes with a plaited, single jersey knit design that uses chevron ‘channels’ designed to draw the moisture from high sweat areas and move it to other more breathable parts of the garment on the sides of the body. Through use of our “colored water” benchmark test and MMT testing we were able to successfully test our prototypes and narrow down our design to a 80/20 wool/nylon blend plaited with Sorbtek. Our design not only wicks away moisture from the body, but also is durable and less flammable than the current base layer uniform.