MC10 announced it has signed a contract with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) to develop solar cells that are directly integrated into the fabric cover of combat helmets and rucksacks. NSRDEC is responsible for maximizing soldier survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiveness and quality of life, and the goal of this effort is to provide the dismounted soldier with a discrete, renewable power source.

NSRDEC is a recognized leader in the U.S. Army’s campaign to assure the decisive materiel edge for the 21st century warrior, and the ability to provide soldier-borne, renewable power is critical to this mission. MC10’s unique conformal electronics platform is ideally suited for this type of application as it is ultra-thin and lightweight, and can be directly integrated into fabrics and other materials in a way that is virtually imperceptible to the wearer.

“Soldiers today carry a lot of high-tech gear, but often go long periods of time without access to power,” said David Icke, CEO of MC10. “MC10 is providing a renewable power source that doesn’t add to the heavy load our soldiers already carry. We look forward to developing this essential capability so our troops can most effectively use the gear they carry – even under the most difficult circumstances.”

MC10 is currently developing a variety of products including interventional circuits that can diagnose and influence tissue function and ‘seamless sensing’ devices to improve our health and wellbeing. The company partners with industry leaders including Reebok, Massachusetts General Hospital and a variety of U.S. government agencies to deliver innovative new products based on its conformal electronics platform.

MC10 reshapes electronics to create thin, conformal systems that flex, stretch, and bend seamlessly with the natural world. The company combines breakthrough technology with innovative engineering to develop products that advance quality of life.