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Simulating the integration of photovoltaic technology on the modern infantry soldier using modelling andsimulation : scenarios and guidelines

The journal article presents the culmination of the two-year £650,000 EPSRC/DSTL Solar Soldier project (EP/H020543/1). Tsekleves was a Co-Investigator and contributor to the project, leading the design work package of the project.

The project investigated the use of sustainable and renewable technology on the infantry soldier, namely thin flexible photovoltaic. It addresses the challenge of reducing infantry soldier equipment bulk and weight through the replacement of batteries with renewable energy harvesting technology. The paper describes the work led by Tsekleves in the project, which led to a set of design guidelines on how to best incorporate thin flexible photovoltaic (PV) technology onto infantry soldier clothing and gear. The guidelines, presented in the paper, were provided to DSTL, the science and technology unit of the MoD for consultation. The research methodology included consultations and focus groups with scientists and infantry soldiers within DSTL, 3D visualisations and simulations of the PV power output on different parts of the infantry soldier’s uniform and kit.

The project was multi-disciplinary in nature and comprised of six main university partners from across the UK and two secondary industrial partners. The consortium included inorganic chemists, mechanical and electronics engineers, energy and materials experts and designers.

The work presented in this paper was featured by The Daily Mirror Newspaper (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1366173/Solar-soldier-scientists-developing-power-pack-British-troops-50-lighter.html), the Discovery News (http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/battlefield-battery-packs-work-day-and-night-110316.htm), the EPSRC (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/news/2011/Pages/solarsoldiers.aspx), and the British Forces News (http://www.bfbs.com/news/england/solar-power-pack-could-render-soldiers-invisible-and-lighter-45317.html).