Avon Young Designer Looks to the Future of Respiratory Protection

Avon Protection student design engineer James Carswell has unveiled a design for a revolutionary new personal protection device at this year’s Brunel University annual graduate design show in London.  The project, codenamed “Air Armour”, was conducted over 9 months under guidance and support from Avon’s’ UK design team; culminating in the production of a prototype respirator for army personnel. 

Air Armour - Prototype Respirator

One in five veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq has been shown to suffer some form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) from repeated exposure to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts. James’ Air Armour system is designed to provide protection against TBI by deflecting blast waves away from users’ faces so the blast pressure does not traumatise the brain.  The respirator integrates with in-service helmets to provide holistic protection.

Air Armour consists of a lightweight, multi-layered composite shell which deflects the blast waves and a shock absorbing mechanism combined with a flexible rubber skin to help protect against blunt trauma forces. Respiratory protection, provided by an Avon BA50, provides cool air; blown over the users face helps to reduce heat fatigue associated with other protective equipment.

Design development has been completed with end users from DSTL and focused on improving the comfort of the device whilst meeting the robust technical requirements of military standards, utilising contacts and experience gained whilst on a 12 month design and engineering placement at Avon’s UK design office working on the next generation of Avon’s respirators and accessories.

Collaborations with students and universities constitute an important arm of Avon’s development strategy, assisting the company in developing leading edge technologies whilst giving the designers and engineers of tomorrow real world experience.  The team is currently reviewing Air Armour for commercial and technical feasibility.

Subsequent to the Brunel design show, James’ project has been awarded a James Dyson “Made in Brunel” award and has also been selected with nine other projects as the best in show and selected for display at the UK’s forthcoming New Designers show – the country’s national showcase for emerging young graduate designers.