BILLERICA, MA /PRNewswire/ -- SI2 Technologies (SI2), a Massachusetts-based conformal and flexible electronic systems company, has announced that it has been awarded Small Business Innovation Research Phase II funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop the next generation of helmet-mounted sensors which can detect events associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The Phase II contract could total up to approximately $1 million if the option for additional funding is exercised.
"The data collected with our sensor system could enable the development of enhanced protective gear and help diagnose when TBI occurs." said Joseph Kunze, President of SI2 Technologies. With the increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers are being exposed to a greater number of blast effect . . . effects which may have killed or seriously injured them in the past, but now do not, due to their ballistic protective gear. However, they are still subjected to the blast effects which can cause concussions and other brain trauma. Since there is often no external sign of these injuries, TBI can go undetected and its affects can be misdiagnosed.
Under this DARPA contract, SI2 will develop a lightweight and conformal TBI sensor system whose operation will be virtually transparent to the soldier. In addition to the helmet mounted sensor, the system will also include a reader which could be carried by a field medic to query the sensor and download TBI event related data.
"During visits with wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, I have seen first hand the tremendous toll that TBI can take on our service members," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "This funding will be used to continue the development of technology that will improve protection from and help to prevent incidents of TBI. The quick and accurate diagnosis of TBI can help medical personnel stabilize victims, assess the severity of their injuries, and proceed with needed treatment. Today's announcement will help to protect the lives of troops that are serving in hostile environments and is a testament to SI2's outstanding workforce and innovative abilities."
About SI2 Technologies, Inc.
SI2 Technologies Inc. is a developer of conformal and flexible electronic systems for space, weight and power constrained systems, particularly in the defense industries. SI2 meets the challenges presented by its clients by employing a proprietary methodology known as System Integrated Design and Manufacturing (SIDM) to develop "smart" electronic design solutions that can increase the performance of government and military platforms. SIDM utilizes state-of-the-art conformal and flexible design and manufacturing tools as well as materials which are compatible with conformal and flexible structures, packaging and processing. This allows SI2 to create solutions that reduce platform size, weight and cost relative to conventional electronics solutions.