The Materials with Novel Transport Properties (MANTRA) program will develop revolutionary technologies that greatly reduce energy consumption and maintenance of desalination systems while supporting high rates of drinkable water production.
Drinkable water for Soldiers is one of the most critical logistical battlefield needs. The Materials with Novel Transport Properties (MANTRA) program will develop revolutionary technologies that greatly reduce energy consumption and maintenance of desalination systems while supporting high rates of drinkable water production. The program's ultimate goal is to integrate these technologies into a man-portable backpack system. Successful completion of the program will provide potable water for troops with a minimal logistical footprint, allowing decentralized water sustainment for increased troop agility and mobility.
MANTRA has two phases. Successful systems will achieve approximately 97- and 99-percent salt rejection from seawater from Phases 1 and 2. The Phase 1 goal is to develop component technologies and demonstrate production of 30 gallons per hour of drinkable output from seawater using these integrated separation technologies. The goal of Phase 2 is to produce a 100-fold increase in water permeability over existing desalination systems, yielding production of 75 gallons per hour of potable output from seawater in a compact, portable prototype desalination system.