Location: Zoonotic and Emerging Disease Research
Project Number: 3022-32000-027-037-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2026
End Date: Apr 30, 2028
Objective:
The objective of this project is to support the development and evaluation of a new positive-pressure encapsulated suit for use in maximum-containment laboratory environments by specifically supporting the manufacture and evaluation of a test batch of suits.
Approach:
The project will be executed through coordinated manufacturing, field evaluation, and data analysis activities. A pilot batch of positive-pressure encapsulated suits will be produced and distributed to selected partner laboratories for hands-on assessment in relevant maximum-containment operational contexts. Participating laboratories will evaluate the suits using defined criteria related to safety, functionality, durability, ergonomics, usability, and compatibility with high-containment procedures. Evaluation data will be collected through direct testing, user feedback, and partner laboratory reporting. Information generated across sites will be consolidated and reviewed to identify patterns in suit performance, operational strengths, areas requiring modification, and factors affecting overall suitability for maximum-containment use. These findings will be used to inform iterative design improvements and establish a foundation for future qualification, procurement, and broader adoption.