DASA seeks innovations in dermal protection against liquid chemicals

Image courtesy DASA

This competition is seeking proposals that will address the challenge of developing a solution to the problem of providing dermal protection against liquid chemical contamination. DASA are interested in treatments, fabric design, novel constructions or any other approach that prevents the penetration of low surface tension liquids.

Although being run on behalf of the UK government there is significant potential for solutions developed to be exploited internationally.

Key dates and funding
This competition has two challenges. The total possible funding available for this competition for both challenges is £2.6 million (excluding VAT) across the total two year duration. DASA anticipate funding up to 10 proposals for each challenge.

The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (GMT) on Tuesday 15th April 2025. Submit via the DASA Online Submission Service.

Background: why we need innovation in this area
Traditionally, dermal liquid protection has been provided by an air permeable, two-layer system, comprising an outer fabric – which controls the initial liquid interaction with the surface – and a carbon layer to absorb any vapours which penetrate the outer layer. It is the combination of these two layers which enables the wearer to operate in a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) environment without incurring the associated physiological burden of an air impermeable garment.

Changes in legislation (e.g. REACH) over recent years are constraining the methods available to defence and security for providing dermal protection against low surface tension liquids (such as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Due to these changes we are seeking innovative methods for future dermal protection.
Scope:

The scope of this competition is technologies that provide wearable dermal protection against liquid chemical contamination. There are various means by which this could be achieved and we are interested in any scientific and technological approaches that have the potential to deliver dermal protection against low surface tension liquids without the use of chemistries which are currently the subject of restriction proposals (e.g. under REACH and ECHA).

Supporting events

Dial in webinar
Thursday 6th March 2025 – a dial-in session providing further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.

One-to-one teleconference sessions
Wednesday 12th March 2025 – a series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum. Registration details for these sessions will be available the day after the launch webinar which is taking place on 6th March 2025. Please attend the webinar or reach out to your local Innovation Partner if you have more general questions on the DASA application process.

To submit a proposal: click here