The U.S. Navy is calling on experienced companies to assist in the development of a prototype dive suit using its newly invented DEEP material. With a prototype dive hood already in place, the next step is to transition this innovation into full wetsuit or dry suit designs. Cold-water diving presents serious risks, including hypothermia and impaired cognitive function, making adequate thermal protection critical.
Traditional foam neoprene, while commonly used, loses up to 70% of its thermal resistance at recreational depths due to compression. In contrast, the Navy’s DEEP (Diver Extreme Environmental Prototype) material maintains superior insulation and elasticity even under pressure, offering a closer, more comfortable fit. After six years of development, DEEP has proven to be up to five times more thermally resistant and three times stretchier than conventional materials, with four patents pending.
To move from lab to field, the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) is seeking a commercial partner through a CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement). This includes licensing Navy IP, access to DEEP samples and test data, collaboration with Navy experts, and use of advanced facilities. The goal is to build a full-body suit for evaluation at a fall demonstration in front of Navy transition sponsors.
TechLink’s Nida Shaikh is working alongside NSWC PCD to support companies interested in licensing or collaborating. “An ideal CRADA partner would be a company with experience in technical garment manufacturing or advanced textile integration, who is ready to move quickly to prototype and field a suit based on DEEP,” said Stephen Harrell, Navy PCD’s Project Manager for diving & life support systems.