the insider

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

DIRECTORS CORNERCombined Federal Campaign, Page 2

RDECOM LEADERS VISIT PACIFIC COMMANDPage 3

RDECOM NEWSBRIEFSNews and information from across the organization, Page 4

ARL SCIENTISTS WIN PATENTAdvanced neural chip, Page 5

SPOTLIGHT: JOSEPH WIENAND LEADS CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL RESEARCHPage 6

ARMY RESEARCHERS USE CUTTING EDGE 3D PRINTERSPage 8

U.S., CHILEAN OFFICIALS DISCUSS RESEARCH COOPERATIONPage 11

NATICK ENGINEER BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN AFTER 18 MONTHSPage 13

RDECOM WELCOMES DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERALPage 18

ARMY AWARDS ARDEC SOLDIER PURPLE HEARTPage 18

NOVEMBER 2012ISSUE NO. 5

RDECOM showcases energy securitySecretary of Defense Leon Panetta (right) learns about the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator Bravo at the Pentagon, Oct. 4. (U.S. Army photo by Tom Faulkner)

By Dan LafontaineRDECOM Public Affairs

WASHINGTON Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta learned about the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands contributions to national energy security during a tour at the Pentagon, Oct. 4.

Subject matter experts from three of RDECOMs research centers -- the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center; Communications--Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center -- showcased the Armys research on operational energy.

The Pentagon Energy Security showcased exhibits Oct. 2-4.

Derhun Sanders, TARDEC associate director for communications and outreach, showed Panetta one of the commands major energy initiatives, the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator Bravo, commonly known as FED Bravo.

TARDEC integrated technologies to demonstrate state-of-the-art fuel-efficient vehicle design, Sanders said. The vehicle uses advanced automotive technologies, including parallel hybrid architecture, lightweight carbon-fiber materials and tube frame chassis.

The goals of RDECOMs emerging technologies are to reduce energy consumption, increase energy efficiency, increase use of renewable and alternative energy, ensure future access to energy supplies, and reduce adverse impacts on the environment.

2 NOVEMBER 2012 ISSUE NO. 5

By Dale A. Ormond RDECOM Director

Its that time of year again. The Combined Federal Campaign is well under way. Id like to share some personal thoughts with you about this important federal program.

When I was a Naval officer and federal employee, every October a booklet would appear on my desk with a form and encouragement from leadership to voluntarily participate. One thing I noticed was that the program was not well explained.

When I began working for the Department of Energy in South Carolina, I was asked, actually tasked, to run the campaign for the whole site -- for all the federal employees. I said, OK, so whats the first thing that needs to be done?

I realized that I had to understand how CFC works. I discovered a couple of things. First, all the organizations listed in that booklet have to submit an application that meets predefined criteria. They need to meet a set of requirements. Theres a committee of federal employees that evaluates the application. In some cases, committee members go and visit the agency to make sure the application lines up with whats actually going on. This committee of your peers votes to say whether that agency actually goes into the book or not. So, the Combined Federal Campaign really is run by federal employees who decide who participates, which I thought was great.

Second, when I was in South Carolina, I served on the board of directors of an organization called Childrens Place. It provided therapeutic child care to children with severe problems. By that I mean these children had been neglected, abused ... no matter what you can imagine it was probably worse. And so, while serving on the board of directors, two years as its president, I saw how money that came in from private donations CFC donations would be considered private donations in the context of their fundraising was always matched at least dollar for dollar, sometimes $2 per dollar, and maybe even some places, $3 per dollar, with federal, state and other kinds of grants.

Matching donations are a check on the system. When these nonprofits apply for grants, for federal, or state dollars, they almost always are required to show a dollar matching amount of private donations. Why do they do that? Because, if the local community is not donating to you, then you

may not be providing a lot of value. If the local community is giving to you, if the people who live around you donate, then youre adding some kind of value. Thats why these grants require that private donations be the basis for matching funds.

If a charity would get $50,000 in private donations, they would get another $50,000, sometimes another $100,000 in grants. So what did the money do? In the case of the Childrens Place, the money went to pay salaries for staff, teachers, and psychologists as well as for heat and air conditioning, rent, school supplies and all of the things they used. I saw the tremendous things the agency did for children.

One of my favorite stories is about a little girl 5 or six 6 old who came in. The agency director used to tell this story. One of the things they did to assess a childs mental and emotion condition was to say, OK, heres some paper. Heres a whole set of crayons or markers. Please draw us a picture.

The lit tle girl drew a picture and it was all black and red, which the psychologist said indicated signif icant anger and frustration issues. This child was not really engaging with the whole world. They worked with this child for a year or 18 months. Then they brought her back in. Then she drew green grass, blue sky and a yellow sun. She said, Ms. Peggy, see, now I can use all the colors of the rainbow.

Thats the impact this agency had on children.

My suggestion to you is really this: look locally. Look in the book and find something where you live. Find the agencies that are working in your backyard and are helping your neighbors and the people in your community. Keep the money local. It makes a huge difference.

Find something in which you are interested. For some people its the Boy Scouts, for some its a homeless shelter, or neglected and abused women and children. There are all kinds of agencies providing great services in your local community. Find something that appeals to you personally. I encourage everybody to give.

The Army has a Community Covenant with each of the communities around its installations. Most of the time this turns out to be the Army asking What is the community going to do for us? We ask the community to provide services to help out Soldiers. I would argue this is the one time we have an ability to impact the community through the money we donate via the Combined Federal Campaign that goes to local agencies; were making a direct contribution back into the community.

Its very powerful. It can be hugely influential.

Just in the Aberdeen Proving Ground area we have about 5,000 RDECOM employees. We set this years goal for $150,000. Last year we raised $100,000. If every RDECOM employee in just the APG area gave $10 a pay period, thatd be $50,000 every two weeks. This would have a tremendous impact if our employees would be willing to sign up and do this.

From my own personal experience having run a campaign, Ive seen that to get federal employees to really engage in the CFC you have to show them the money they are donating is making a difference. In my experience, Ive seen the impact that these agencies have. I would encourage you to contribute.

For information, reach out to your local CFC representative or give online!

It doesnt need to be a lot. I encourage you to participate and contribute. It will make a difference in your community. Keep the money local is what I always say.

RELATED LINKSCFC: http://www.opm.gov/cfc/Biography: http://go.usa.gov/vK8Facebook: http://on.fb.me/MKsWloTwitter: http://twitter.com/DaleOrmond

Directors Corner: Combined Federal Campaign

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Director Dale A. Ormond talks about the Combined Federal Campaign Oct. 19 in his office at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (U.S. Army photo by Tom Faulkner)

I encourage you to participate and contribute. It will make a difference in your community.

Dale A. Ormond

3RDECOMs THE INSIDER

RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. RDECOM leaders visited Korea, Japan and Hawaii Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 with a goal of discussing science and technology priorities with Pacific Command leaders.

The Pacific Command presents a fascinating set of challenges because it is very complex, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Director Dale A. Ormond said. It has the largest area of responsibility of any of the geographic combatant commanders. In fact, it covers half the world. Its very dynamic and made more difficult by the distances and multiple time zones.

The director and Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie major met with and received information briefings from Security Cooperation Offices in Korea and Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Defense and Technical Research and Development Institute hosted meetings and laboratory tours.

Ormond said Beharie set the example in Korea by spreading the RDECOM message during a comprehensive senior noncommissioned professional development briefing with 8th U.S. Army and 2nd Infantry Division command sergeants major and sergeants major.

From the feedback we received, it is clear that commanders in the region are starting to recognize what we, as RDECOM with our technical expertise, bring to the fight to help solve challenges, Ormond said. Our participation in recent exercises in helping to solve problems and provide solutions has captured the attention of many of the commanders there.

In Japan, the director presented presented Col. James Bass, Forward Element Command - Pacific commander, with a Legion of Merit medal for his retirement from active duty. Bass served 30 years in uniform.

Ormond also passed the unit colors

RDECOM leaders visit Asia-Pacific to discuss technology priorities

it is clear that commanders in the region are starting to recognize what we, as RDECOM with our technical expertise, bring to the fight to help solve challenges.

Dale A. Ormond Col. James Bass (right) receives the Legion of Merit from RDECOM Director Dale A. Ormond Sept. 26. Bass served as commander and chief scientist of the Forward Element Command - Pacific.

Col. Ernest Dunlap gives his first comments following the change of command ceremony Sept. 26. Dunlap is the Forward Element Command - Pacific commander.

RDECOM Director Dale A. Ormond (left) passes the unit colors to Col. Ernest Dunlap Sept. 26. in Tokyo.

to Bass successor, Col. Ernest Dunlap. Finally RDECOM leaders bid farewell to Dr. Richard Ryles, International Technology Center - Pacific director, who retired from civil service.

In Hawaii, Ormond and Beharie met with U.S. Pacific Command Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. (Promotable) Anthony G. Crutchfield, PACOM Resources and Assessment Director (J8) Dr. George Kailiwai III and U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General Maj. Gen. Roger F. Mathews.

The USARPAC officials hosted a roundtable discussion about the options and opportunities for establishing an International Technology Center in the region.

One of the things we talked about was establishing an International

Technology Center in India. India is one of the largest countries in the world in population, Ormond said. There is a growing technology sector. We are looking at potential opportunities to collaborate with them in technology development initiatives.

Officials said RDECOM has identified additional support requirements to PACOM, including theater security cooperation.

Understanding future science and technology needs in the region will develop and shape how RDECOM elements engage in the region to meet our mission, Ormond said.

RELATED LINKSPacific Command: http://www.pacom.mil/


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment), visited RDECOM headquarters and Army Research Laboratory Oct. 11.

ORLANDO, Fla. RDECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie (center right) talks with students at the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference Oct. 11. The event contributions of outstanding Hispanic American science, engineering, technology and math professionals.

RDECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie (left) congratulates Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Currie Oct. 17. Currie is one of five NCOs recognized for helping with eCYBERMISSION. View more photos at http://flickr.com/rdecom.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie, senior enlisted adviser for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, recognized RDECOM intelligence analyst Deborah Moore Oct. 9. Moore provided security briefings to Beharie in preparation for his trip to South Korea and Japan.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports and Cooperation Keith Webster visited RDECOM Oct. 2. Webster met with RDECOM acting Deputy Director Barbara Machak to discuss the commands international science and technology collaboration priorities and advances.

By Kristen Kushiyama CERDEC Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. A division chief from the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands communications-electronics center was honored by the Association of Old Crows for his contributions to the electronic-warfare community at a Sept. 24 ceremony in Phoenix.

Ralph Troisio, CERDEC Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate Electronic Warfare Air/Ground Survivability Division chief, received the Celebration of Excellence in Electronic Warfare/EW Program Management Award.

The award stated Troisio distinguished himself over the past year in the design and development of state-of-the-art EW and integrated ASE (aircraft survivability equipment) systems. His untiring efforts on behalf of the Warfighter are truly commendable and deserving of recognition.

I am both humbled and honored to be recognized by the AOC, said Troisio. I could only be successful in receiving this award by the performance and sacrifices made by the professionals I lead, and the guidance from my senior leadership.

The most important thing for me with regard to this award is that its all for the benefit of the Warfighter, said Troisio.

CERDEC I2WD supports the Armys transformation from the Current Force to a Future Force by providing effective intelligence and information warfare tools

that equip Americas Warfighter with the integrated systems needed to provide spectrum control, according to the CERDEC website.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/YZ43

CERDEC employee honored

Ralph Troisio (center), CERDEC Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate Electronic Warfare Air/Ground Survivability Division chief, received the Association of Old Crows Celebration of Excellence in Electronic Warfare/EW Program Management Award at a Sept. 24 ceremony in Phoenix (Photo courtesy of the Association of Old Crows).

ARMY OFFICIAL VISITS RDECOM

RDECOM OFFICIALS INTERACT WITH STUDENTS AT ANNUAL HISPANIC EVENT

NCOS GAIN RECOGNITION FOR ECYBERMISSION ASSISTANCE

COMMAND SGT. MAJ. BEHARIE RECOGNIZES RDECOM EMPLOYEE PENTAGON OFFICIAL VISITS RDECOM


By David McNally RDECOM Public Affairs

ADELPHI, Md. Two Army scientists and a university professor earned a patent for the forerunner of a powerful quantum neural dynamics computer chip. The device uses nonstandard mathematics to accomplish analog problem solving at high speed.

The patent covers different ways to make computer chips, said Army scientist and principal investigator Ronald E. Meyers. These computer chips can represent biological and physical processes.

Meyers and his colleague, Army mathematician Keith Deacon, joined forces with Dr. Gert Cauwenberghs, a professor of bioengineering and biology and co-director of the Institute for Neural Computation at the University of California at San Diego.

This is as a first step toward large-scale non-Lipschitz intelligent information processing systems, Cauwenberghs said.

Cauwenberghs worked with Meyers and Deacon to map the mathematics onto an analog continuous-time neural architecture. He also designed and tested the integrated circuit implementing the architecture.

Experimental data from our silicon integrated circuit demonstrated the elements of terminal repulsion and attraction in neural dynamics and synaptic coupling, he said.

In other words, by using different mathematics, the scientists potentially removed a limit on how fast functions can change clearing the way for ultra high-speed computing.

The chip has a lot of application to both the military and civilian use, Meyers said.

A unique aspect of the research is the use of synaptic connections for interfacing neurons and learning through feedback, which is modeled after biological systems, Meyers said.

Its all part of the futuristic vision of quantum computing. Researchers believe one day they will effectively harness individual atoms to build complex super-computers.

Meyers delves into quantum physics research projects at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Currently his project is to invent a secure communications system immune to the awesome power of future quantum computers.

Quantum computing will give unparalleled computational ability, he said. Were talking about an ability to compute that exceeds exponentially millions of times greater than any of the computers that exist or are on the drawing boards using

conventional approaches.Meyers said neural chips can be made

with classical computers or in the future with quantum computers.

This is a different type of chip that weve developed and its somewhat in between, Meyers said. Its not a classical approach, and its not quantum yet. But, were wanting to evolve the concepts into quantum computing.

The research took several years. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent Sept. 11.

It looks like a breakthrough to others but its just a lot of hard work, continuous work, Meyers said. When you put something out its a milestone. It means youre able to explain it in a way that the Patent Office understands, or that other scientists understand. So what happened here is were looking into one of the most important problems that the Army faces and it turns out from my perspective, the ones that

are not solved and are most important.Meyers is listed as the inventor on 14 patents.

He co-authored a book, From Instability to Intelligence: Complexity and Predictability in Nonlinear Dynamics, covering nonlinear equations in math, physics and biology, and authored a plethora of scientific papers.

Problems are unsolved because theyre difficult to tackle, he said. I tend to seek out a different path to go toward solving problems that before have not been solved. I think I have a background that can do that. Ive gained some insight. Its putting together your experience and youre trying to project it into the future. And so in my mind I see how things can be applied in the future and I look at how to solve these. Quite often if you go for the hardest unsolved problem thats the one that gives you the most benefit.

Inspired by difficult problems, Meyers said he and his small team of scientists and mathematicians are focused on the end-user of this technology.

We work for the Soldier, Meyers said. We work for the warfighter and thats what our thinking is. Thats why were trying to solve these difficult problems. As Army scientists we are responsible to really help these Soldiers operate in a way that can defend the country and protect them and anticipate any threats and deal with them in an effective manner.

RELATED LINKSARL: http://www.arl.army.mil/

ARL scientists win patent for advanced neural chip

Ronald E. Meyers delves into quantum physics research at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Meyers, fellow researcher Keith Deacon and Gert Cauwenberghs, a professor of bioengineering and biology at the University of California at San Diego earned a patent for a futuristic neural computer chip. (U.S. Army photo illustration by David McNally)

We work for the Soldier. We work for the warfighter and thats what our thinking is. Thats why were trying to solve these difficult problems.

Ronald Meyers



ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Joseph Wienand is the technical director for the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. He became its leader in June 2010, but he has a long history of working in the chem-bio field here. Before assuming the top job at ECBC, Wienand served as program integration director. He earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering in 1978 from New Mexico State University. He earned a master of science in systems management in 1987 from the Florida Institute of Technology. Wienand served as an active duty U.S. Army chemical officer at APG from 1979 to 1981.

What is the role of Edgewood Chemical Biological Center?

ECBC has been around for a long time, but I see our role as increasing in importance over the next few years. All you have to do is look at the things that are going on around the world where there is unrest. Our role is to provide the warfighter with protective equipment, devices -- respirators -- things that keep them safe on the battlefield. In fact, I just saw the top 10 S&T priorities for the Army recently from the Honorable Heidi Shyu [Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology] and one of them was that the Army needs to be able to fight and win in a [chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives] environment. That is our mission. That is what our business is -- to make sure our warfighters are safe from the deadly effects of chemical or biological material. I see that were going to be relevant well into the future. We have such a diverse infrastructure for containing and working with these deadly materials that we end up doing everything from basic research to demilitarization and disposal, and that is because of the unique nature of these materials. You dont want a lot of people working with these materials because of an increased potential for something unfortunate to happen. Our core competency is working safely with the most deadly compounds known to man. I dont see that diminishing in any case over the next few years because we still have people in the world who dont like us and theyre working on things like this that can harm our Soldiers. Our role in all of this over

the next few years is important. Were called upon in many cases for operational issues. We get called from Central Command or Pacific Command to help them out when situations happen. As far as being part of RDECOM, we are providing the basic applied science, the applied research to support the program executive office and program managers associated with chem-bio defense. We see our future as being quite important and solid even through all the budget machinations. One of the Department of Defense priorities -- I think they have seven -- is combating weapons of mass destruction. Of course chemical and biological warfare is two of the three weapons of mass destruction. We also dont seem to have any trouble attracting people to work here. Even though you think about it, the stuff we work with is hazardous. A lot of young researchers, scientists and engineers want to work here because its unique.

How do you encourage collaboration and sharing across RDECOM?

Weve actually got to start that at the lowest level. Most of our organization is reimbursibly funded. This means 90 percent of the funding we operate on is provided to us by other people. We receive about 10 percent of our budget from the Army. Most of our small teams are very entrepreneurial. They try to insulate and isolate themselves so they can go after the work. So I have to start at a very low level. What Ive been doing over the past two years

is pushing and encouraging collaboration. We have Innovation Forums to provide a forum for showcasing when multiple organizations work together across ECBC. They are a series of workshops at which they talk about their successes and lessons learned. Weve also encouraged and rewarded people who have ideas that go across the organization. Now we are pushing to reach out beyond our organization to show how we can work with other RDECs to demonstrate our value to the warfighter. We just had a meeting recently with members of the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center workforce. Were working on sensor systems for chemical warfare agents. Its very similar sensors looking for explosive precursor devices. So, we saw an opportunity to get together. Were going to put together a workshop in which CERDEC comes and spends some time with our researchers; our researchers go spend some time with theirs. Youve really got to start it at the basic level of principal investigator to principal investigator, engineer to engineer, and once they understand and see value in the fact that some people know how to approach a problem maybe a little differently -- and that could add value -- maybe we will provide a better service or device to the warfighter.

We also collaborate beyond the other RDECs. We just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security at Fort Detrick, Md. Were collaborating with our partners over at the Edgewood Area Institute of Chemical

Joseph Wienand gives an interview for The INSIDER Oct. 11 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Wienand leads more than 1,200 scientists, engineers and researchers at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. (U.S. Army photo by David McNally)

Spotlight: Joseph Wienand leads chemical, biological research


Defense. We just stood up a proteomics facility that were going to jointly operate for large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. Its becoming part of our nature at ECBC to collaborate beyond stovepipes of our organization.

What are the biggest challenges facing your workforce?

I think they are the same challenges that face most of our RDECs and within the command. We see the budget machinations that are going on, and there is a fair amount of insecurity as far as what the future holds for our research and development budget. Were going to see decreases in funding. If we do, that is going to be somewhat of a disincentive to some people to reach out. Theyre going to want to hold on to what theyve got. I think one thing that Im going to continue to push though in this time of diminishing resources is that we can still achieve more if were working with other people. The solutions are better. More people will be able to see what were doing. In the time of diminishing resources it is really the time that youve got to reach out and collaborate more.

What are the things that excite you about the future?

Were trying to replicate what we call human-on-a-chip. Instead of having to come up with detector systems that are electronic we can actually come up with biological systems with cells that replicate parts of the human body, like liver cells or heart cells or whatever. You can do it on such a small scale you can replicate and coax things like stem cells and other types of cells so at some point you can have cell-based sensor systems literally sewn into Soldiers uniforms, helmets or something, so if they run into an environment that could be toxic these cells or detector system would go off and somehow would send out signal or warning. So in the future I think all these big sensor systems that were using, at least for hazardous chemical, biological agents, are going to be downsized to things as small as the tip of your finger and then sewn into Soldiers uniforms. Its just really exciting to see the young researchers now who are envisioning this. They are playing in the laboratory with skin cells that can turn into heart cells, liver cells, kidney cells. Then we dose them with one of these toxic materials and you can see changes in the cells. That kind of stuff is fascinating.

The nanotechnology world is going to create new capabilities for us to identify threats and protect Soldiers on the battlefield.

In the engineering realm, anything you can dream up in your head and you can put on a computer you can reproduce it now. You can make it on a 3D printer -- 3D printers are making things out of metal now. We can produce items that you cant machine. Across the board its just so exciting to see the application of some of this technology to our problems. The future is going to be very exciting for the people who work in this business. Since we work with dangerous materials, trying to find new ways to identify and essentially warn our Soldiers before they walk into something that they cant see is going to drive a lot of different technologies. Well be able to have things that protect firefighters from dangerous situations, first-responders, police officers -- all of the stuff that we do that applies to Soldiers is also going to apply to emergency responders within the country. Its very satisfying to see that in the future well be able to better protect people.

What advice do you have for the workforce?

I think you have to have fun at work. When you come in and find your work exciting and enjoyable you find that most days youve got a positive outlook on whats going on. Thats going to take you through any of the budget machinations or what goes on around you. The attitude and excitement that you bring to the job as a member of a science and technology workforce is infectious. I would encourage everyone that is passionate about their job to tell other people. They want to be able to understand and be passionate too. Attitude is one of the most important things.

If youre in a situation where you dont feel passionate or there are things that you dont enjoy about what youre doing thats the time you have to look around and ask, What can I be passionate about? There are so many things in this command and in these RDECs that you can do -- you can probably have eight or nine different careers in RDECOM if you just look around find something that excites you and makes you passionate and want to race to work every morning like I do.

Continuing education in our business is something that I cannot emphasize enough. Ive been involved with the leader development

education here at Aberdeen since I got here because not only the technical education but also for people going into leadership positions youve got to be continuously learning and challenging your mind. Youve got to seek out what it is you have to do in your career to move forward. Education in the technical area, if youre going to stay in the technical field that youre in, everybody knows that youve got to be the best that you can be in those fields. So search out and find the places that you can get that kind of education. Probably around every one of the RDECs there are academic institutions that are extremely good. Here we have Johns Hopkins, the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland and some really high-end organizations that are trying to put together night programs for us. Theyre looking to make it easier for us to advance our education while were working. Thats how I got my graduate degree. A lot of us do that. We study at night while were also trying to hold down a job. Its hard, but its well worth it.

One thing that weve done quite a bit of over the past few years is leader education, or leadership development. We started a program this year for junior folks who may be interested. We call it mid-career leader development for folks at the GS-11 or GS-12 level. Theyre still thinking about where they want to go in their career -- into a leadership position or not. Weve tried to put programs together so they can explore leadership so they can see if thats something they want to get into. Once people decide that, we have cohort programs for the GS-13 level. We have executive development or executive officer positions within all the directorates for people who are GS-13 or GS-14 levels so they can see what its like to be a manager and spend time with a director. Weve encouraged, and put quite a few people through the Aberdeen Proving Ground cohort program, which is a GS-14 and GS-15 leader development program. You can figure out if you want to be in management and once youve decided that youve really got to learn how to do it. Its very different from the engineering, science or business curriculum that you took through school. To be a leader; to be a manager, its all about psychology, people skills and those kind of things. Those can be learned. I would encourage everybody who is interested in management or leadership to take some classes to see if thats what you really want to do. There are a number of programs. Defense Acquisition University has some programs here on post. Office of Personnel Management offers some programs. Take a look. Try it out. See if thats something you want to do.

I would encourage everyone that is passionate about their job to tell other people.

Joseph Wienand


It is kind of a magical thing ... seeing people who have never seen it before come through the lab finally get it and understand it ... you can see it in their face. They think its something from the future.

Rick Moore

Army researchers use cutting edge 3D printersBy David McNally RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. When you walk into this research lab you hear the overpowering hum of massive machines with robotic parts swinging past viewing windows as technicians spray objects with lasers attached to limber metallic arms.

Fifty years ago what goes on in this lab would have been considered science fiction, but what these Army researchers do is scientific fact.

These artisan engineers create three-dimensional objects out of plastic and metal in printers that seem more like Star Trek replicators.

Its allowed us to develop items for the warfighter quicker, said Rapid Technologies Branch Chief Rick Moore, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. Were able to come up with concepts and designs using our [computer-aided design] software, print them out and have them in an engineers hand the next day.

The lab is an element of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has labs and research centers across the country. Army scientists, researchers and engineers reach out to the team as needed.

Three-dimensional objects are created with computer-aided design programs, but Moore and his team also use lasers to read an object to create a 3D file. This process allows them to reverse engineer practically anything.

LASER SCANS PUT DATA IN COMPUTERS

For example, an Army technician scans part of a protective mask. As the laser passes over every millimeter of the object, the computer plots points in 3D space. On-screen the mask immediately comes into view as a three-dimensional object. Sending the file to the printer results in a solid copy you can hold in your hand within a few hours.

It is kind of a magical thing, Moore said. Seeing people who have never seen it before come through the lab finally get it and understand it ... you can see it in their face. They think its something from the future.

The teams 3D printers churn out new objects day and night. Researchers use a variety of techniques to get the job done. Some printers use lasers, others spray heated plastic through print heads. One system uses a vat of goo to hold the object in place as it creates it layer by minuscule layer.

One massive printer uses a carbon dioxide


I see it expanding in the materials. I see the speed increasing and the sizes of the parts increasing.

Rick Moore

The fact that we could do this many designs and print them out and have them in the [customers] hands in one week gave them the option to choose between what works best for their application.

Rick Moore

laser to precisely melt powder. As one layer solidifies, the platform drops a little, a fresh layer of powder is spread and the laser goes to work on the next layer.

In the end well raise the platform up and well have the printed object encapsulated in powder, Moore said. We pull it out, shake off the excess powder and then weve got a part.

Modeling artist Bradley Ruprecht said other printers in the lab are similar to desktop ink-jet printers.

Instead of depositing ink on a page, the print head deposits a photo polymer onto the platform. A photo polymer is liquid until its exposed to ultraviolet light and then it polymerizes, or solidifies, into a plastic, Ruprecht said. Just like your ink-jet printer can mix colors together to get a different color, we can mix materials together. So we can make a rigid plastic or adjust the shore value and make it the stiffness that you want. You can also make parts that have two different materials embedded in each other.

One recent project involved coming up with a solution to help Soldiers carry a

heavy piece of sensor equipment in the field.

The Army Research Lab asked us to develop a holder for a heavy handheld sensor called a Mine Hound, which is used as an improvised explosive device detection sensor, Moore said. They wanted something that would cradle the handle so its putting more weight on the Soldiers vest and back as opposed to just their forearm.

The team scanned the sensor and came up with a myriad of design options in short order.

The fact that we could do this many designs and print them out and have them in their hands in one week gave them the option to choose between what works best for their application, Moore said. This

is a good example of how we use the technology every day.

Moore said the part is still in the design process.

Were going to make 10 of them for testing, he said. Once we have their approval were going to do the rapid tooling and use injection molding to make several thousand of the holders.

Injection molding is a more conventional manufacturing technique; however, the team uses 3D printing technology to augment, test and even make molds that otherwise would add weeks or months to the process.

We are deftly pushing what we like to call rapid tooling, Moore said. It uses these technologies to build molds as opposed to conventional machining a mold.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

In the future, Moore sees the technology becoming more commonplace.

I see it expanding in the materials, he said. I see the speed increasing and the sizes of the parts increasing. There are also a lot of fascinating medical applications, which kind of overlap with what wed like to do in the Army in the future.

Medical personnel may use 3D laser scans on a Soldier before he or she is deployed. This would ensure all physical features are on file.

If a Soldier comes back wounded, wed have that data on our side where we could

possibly build prosthesis that are exactly how the Soldier used to look -- instead of sculpting it and scanning it, Moore said.

3D printing may have been pioneered in the 1980s and brought to the market in the mid-1990s, but combining the processes with more powerful software and accurate lasers offers potential for future manufacturing techniques.

Every day were building parts for the customer whether it is an exploded fragment or munitions, Moore said. The more our customers use 3D printing, the more theyre relying on it to do their testing before they do the manufacturing. So, its become an every day thing.

Moore said he and his co-workers enjoy their jobs.

If you take a look at this equipment, how could you not like the job? he asked. I make stuff every day I make something from nothing with state-of-the-art technology. The future is definitely fascinating.

RELATED LINKSYouTube: http://youtu.be/t594W-vwSK4

Rapid Technologies Branch Chief Rick Moore (right) shows a 3D-printed plastic skull to visiting Chilean officials Sept. 25 at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. (U.S. Army photo by Conrad Johnson)


Protection from biological agents is Army scientists mission

Dr. Mary M. Wade serves as acting chief of the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Centers BioDefense Branch. (U.S. Army photo by Mike Barnette)


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Biological agents remain a persistent threat to America and its Soldiers. U.S. Army scientists are researching new technologies to counter bioweapons in order to keep the nation safe.

Dr. Mary M. Wade, a supervisory biologist with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, described her teams work in the areas of detection and decontamination.

Biodefense research is vital to continuing to protect the warfighter and the nation from potential threats, Wade said. We have to be ready. We have to be able to respond, counter threats, and detect threats.

RDECOMs Edgewood Chemical Biological Center leads the Armys efforts in researching, developing, testing and evaluating solutions to defeat dangerous biological agents that can be used as weapons by Americas adversaries. Wade serves as acting chief of the BioDefense Branch, where she leads 20 scientists.

DECONTAMINATION GEL APPLIED TO SURGICAL EQUIPMENT

Wade detailed a promising new technology that her team is evaluating for the Army to decontaminate biological threat agents.

ECBC signed a cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, this year with CBI Polymers to test a decontamination gel manufactured by the company, she said. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is funding the program.

The gel contains a disinfectant, and you can spray or paint it on objects or surfaces, Wade explained. It will kill and immobilize the agent within the gel. Once it dries, you can simply peel it off just like tape. It will remove and retain that threat agent.

The Army could eventually use the gel to decontaminate surgical equipment, such as scalpels or forceps, she said.

For testing at ECBC, researchers are inoculating the surgical instruments with bacteria and then coating them with the gel to see how well it decontaminates the bacteria. The gel is not toxic and takes three to four hours to dry before it can be removed.

This would eventually be for surgeons in the field, she said. They can print and develop surgical instruments [using 3D printers]. If they are not sterile or become contaminated, the decon gel is a product that could be used in the field.

The decon gel has already been fielded for radiological decontamination, and testing will continue for one to two years before it is ready for biological applications. Scientists are determining which materials the gel can be applied to for biological decontamination.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING LEADS TO ARMY POSITION

Wade earned a bachelor of science in biology in 1997 at the University of Mississippi and a doctorate in microbiology in 2002 at Mississippi State University.

While studying tuberculosis as a postdoctoral fellow from 2002 to 2004 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Wade gained specialized experience in a biosafety level 3 laboratory, or BSL-3.

Scientists working in a BSL-3 handle airborne agents that can cause illness and use respirators, personal protective equipment and engineering controls within the laboratory to avoid exposure. ECBC is home to one of 45 BSL-3 laboratories in the United States.

Although Wade anticipated working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta because of an interest in public health, her BSL-3 training led to a position with the Army. She started at ECBC as an on-site contractor in 2004 and then accepted a position as an Army civilian in 2007.

FROM BEGINNING TO END

As a scientist in the laboratory, Wade said her greatest success was serving as a principal investigator, or PI, on a water-monitoring program. As a PI, she executed projects from beginning to end, and in some instances, saw a technology fielded for Soldier use.

This was a great success and extremely rewarding, she said. We were evaluating technologies for detection of biological agents in water. This was one in particular where I was able to see an item fielded to Soldiers. We fielded a water-test kit that contains antibody-based handheld assays for detection of biological toxins in water. Soldiers can screen water before consumption to ensure it is safe to drink.

That was a rewarding program to see through fruition and see a fielded technology generated from research we had conducted, she continued.

Wade emphasized that her research team is continually focused on the end user -- the Soldier.

Every day we are conducting research that yields data that is going into the development of new detection and decontamination technologies, she said. We help to equip our warfighter with better tools, technologies and information to detect and counter biological threats.

RELATED LINKSECBC: https://www.ecbc.army.mil/



ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Three Chilean Army officers visited the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Sept. 24-26, to learn about its science and technology capabilities for potential collaboration between the countries.

The Chilean officers, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Martinez Menanteau, Col. Juan Guerra Bazaes and Col. Luis Araya Cano, toured RDECOMs three research and engineering centers at Aberdeen Proving Ground -- the Army Research Laboratory, known as ARL; Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; and Edgewood Chemical Biological Center.

Martinez and RDECOM Director Dale Ormond signed a statement of intent to work together in areas such as unmanned aerial systems; vehicle performance; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense; extreme environments technology; and modeling and simulation. The agreement is not legally binding but allows for proposals for science and technology cooperation under the 2012 United States-Chile Defense Consultative Commission.

During the tours of RDECOM laboratories, U.S. Army leaders reiterated the important role of the commands international presence in providing the worlds best technology to American Soldiers.

During the tour at ARL, the group received briefings and presentations on fundamental research in materials for protection, cold spray, humans in extreme dynamic environments, hemorrhage control and stretchable electronics, manufacturing science for Soldier protection, and autonomous systems research. At ECBC, the Chileans learned about the centers efforts in toxicology, genomics, decontamination sciences, and its Advanced Design and Manufacturing Prototype Integration Facility.

Joseph Corriveau, director of ECBCs Research and Technology Directorate, explained that America partners in CBRN defense through NATO and other agreements.

Chemical and biological defense is a national priority because there are still nations that have chemical and biological weapons, Corriveau said. What you

will see today is incredible laboratory infrastructure and world-class scientists. It is a policy of the president, the Department of Defense and Army to value relationships with other countries. We are open to any discussions on working together in chemical and biological defense.

RDECOM partners with foreign universities, militaries and industry through its Forward Element Commands in Chile, England and Japan as well as International

Technology Centers.The commands Field Assistance in

Science and Technology Advisers are embedded with Soldiers around the world to link emerging requirements with near-term solutions and provide commanders with immediate access to RDECOMs laboratories.

RELATED LINKSPhotos: http://bit.ly/OTlDzU

U.S., Chilean officials discuss research cooperation

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Martinez Menanteau (left) signs a letter of intent with the U.S. Army as RDECOM acting Deputy Director Barbara Machak looks on Sept. 25, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (U.S. Army photos by Conrad Johnson)

Chilean visitors tour the BioSciences Lab at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.


Jennifer Exelby leads 10 chemical-agent handlers for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands Edgewood Chemical Biological Center. (U.S. Army photo)

Army chemist provides expertise on unknown samplesBy Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. U.S. Army scientists analyze unknown samples to determine whether hazardous chemical or biological warfare agents are present. Samples come from around the world.

Jennifer Exelby, a chemist, leads 10 chemical-agent handlers for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Commands Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, or ECBC.

I never would have thought that I would be working with chemical warfare materials, said Exelby, who serves as the acting chief of the Chemical Operations Branch. This is a world that I didnt even know existed until I got the job at ECBC.

Its extremely rewarding, and Ive learned so much in my years here at ECBC. A book couldnt teach you the things Ive learned here.

Exelby earned a bachelor of science in chemistry at Salisbury State University in 2001 and began working as an Army civilian in 2002.

The scientists in ECBCs Chemical Transfer Facility screen samples for the Army and federal agencies such as the FBI. The CTF houses a biosafety-level 2 facility as well as several chemical fume hoods where the team handles munitions, liquid samples and solids, she said.

The scientists split the sample into chemical, biological and untouched samples. Chemists and biologists conduct their screening, and a sample is saved in case further analysis is needed in the future, Exelby said.

Every day something new comes up. Well get a phone call that an unknown item was found on [APG] or will be shipped in from the FBI or a different government agency that [requires] work done that day and results tomorrow. The FBI is one of our major customers, and we support them fully whenever they find a sample, she said.

The CTF team members undergo rigorous training to become certified as a chemical warfare material handler. When working with unknown samples, Exelby and her colleagues also work closely with Army safety, hazardous waste and

environmental groups to ensure proper handling and disposal of agents.

In addition to analysis of samples, Exelbys team provides chemical agents as references to laboratories around the nation. The CTF distills and synthesizes chemical agents to provide chemical-agent standards for use as reference materials in protective and defense research projects.

Our mission changes daily. One day well be synthesizing a chemical agent; another day well be packaging agent to send to a customer so they can do their sampling and analysis, she said. What we are providing our customers is something that says, this is HD [sulfur mustard agent] or GB [sarin], so they can use that chemical to run on their instruments.

Despite the dangers associated with handling chemical agents, Exelby said it is a vital mission to ensure Soldier and civilian safety.

Its incredibly scary to think what we actually work with every day, she said. When you think about the service were providing and how important it is, you realize that you need to get over that fear and make sure the job gets done.


Steve Belmore of Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center handled 11 projects totaling $450 million during his 18 months in Afghanistan with the Army Corps of Engineers. (U.S. Army photo by David Kamm)

Natick engineer back from Afghanistan after 18 monthsBy Bob Reinert USAG-Natick Public Affairs

NATICK, Mass. He originally intended to stay for only six months, but after deploying to Afghanistan with the Army Corps of Engineers, Steve Belmore had a difficult time leaving the important work he was doing there.

That explains why Belmore, a mechanical engineer with the Systems Equipment and Engineering Team, or SEET, Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, wound up spending 18 months with the Corps Afghanistan Engineer District-South.

It doesnt seem like a big deal when youre in it, Belmore said. It just seems very necessary. Theres always a deadline. Theres always something happening. So its a very, very quick battle rhythm, for sure.

Belmore, a 54-year-old Attleboro, Mass., native and Air Force veteran, spent his time as a project manager building bases for the Afghan National Security Forces. He worked on 11 projects totaling $450 million in contracts. His efforts earned him the Superior Civilian Service Award.

I wanted to be involved in something that was bigger than me, and this was a big effort, Belmore said. Its been going on for a long time.

Belmore had the support of Bob Bernazzani, his team leader with SEET, and CFD Director Gerry Darsch from the outset.

When Steve mentioned that he would like to deploy in support of the Army Corps of Engineers, even though it did not directly support the NSRDEC mission, we knew helping to rebuild Afghanistan was what the military mission is all about, Bernazzani said. We had one worry -- once the ACE (Army Corps of Engineers) got their hands on Steve, we knew that they were not going to let him come back. This is because he is a very motivated and knowledgeable worker.

Belmore finally returned to Natick in mid-August. Hes happy to be home, but he continues to think about Afghanistan.

You feel kind of funny because theres still so much work and youre leaving some good people behind, colleagues behind, Belmore said. Yeah, its good to come back to family and friends and things, but those (Corps) people sort of become your family, too. You develop a bond thats very close, because youre working very close under difficult conditions.

Belmore described workdays that routinely lasted 10 hours and sometimes stretched

to 16 hours. He worked seven days a week while deployed, and he traveled to sites all over southern Afghanistan by private jets, helicopters and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles.

There was quite a lot of coordination just to get out to the different sites, Belmore said. Sometimes you couldnt go. There was a lot of coordination just to make these projects happen.

Belmore never went anywhere without his blue Combat Feeding bag.

Everywhere I went, when I went on a mission, I always took this with me, Belmore said. You cant forget where you came from.

In fact, he never did, according to Bernazzani.

While there, even though it was not part of his ACE mission, he observed Soldiers using NSRDEC items and brought back a wealth of information that can be used to support our R&D projects, Bernazzani said. We are glad Steve is back safely and look forward to Steve using his earned knowledge in support of the CFD/NSRDEC mission, which is the same mission as when he was deployed -- to support the war fighter.

Among Belmores favorite projects in Afghanistan were the arch span steel buildings the Corps built while he was deployed.

Those buildings will last a hundred years in that desert, literally, Belmore said.

Digging wells was also important to him.

A simple thing like water in the desert is a big deal, Belmore said. I think its going to make a big impact for the quality of life for the people.

Despite the rising number of green on blue attacks lately, Belmore said he never felt in any real danger in Afghanistan.

We got rocket attacks pretty regularly, but they were just pot shots, Belmore said. I never saw any real damage when I was there. We did have one suicide bomber outside the gate. This was in Kandahar. It shook our building so bad, it knocked me out of my chair. You just go, What the heck was that?

His experiences in Afghanistan have left Belmore with a greater appreciation for the military and for whats important in his life here.

The things that you see that people get upset about now, they just seem so trivial, Belmore said.

Does Belmore have any regrets about his deployment?

All around, it was difficult, but I would go back tomorrow, actually, Belmore said. You know, you miss your friends and family and life and things, but when youre immersed in that environment and you just engage it, it flies.

RELATED LINKSNatick: http://nsrdec.natick.army.mil/


AMRDEC Public Affairs

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC, was recently recognized by the Huntsville City Council and Union Chapel Christian Academy for the Centers long-standing commitment to promoting awareness and education of science, technology, education and mathematics across local public and private schools.

Science, technology, education, and mathematics, or STEM, education remains critical to the nations continued success and security. AMRDEC supports the Army Educational Outreach Program through Army-sponsored research, education, competitions, internships, and practical experiences designed to engage and guide students and teachers in STEM.

AMRDEC Director Eric Edwards received the 2012 Government STEM Award on behalf of the Center at the Union Chapel Christian Academy scholarship gala sponsored by Tec-Masters, Inc.

The City of Huntsville, represented by District 1 Councilmember Dr. Richard Showers Sr., congratulated Edwards and presented City of Huntsville Resolution

Number 12-751, which read Through AMRDECs [outreach initiatives], scientists, technology experts, engineers, mathematicians and other professionals, who serve as ambassadors, visit the local elementary, middle and high schools and colleges and universities in the Huntsville-Madison County Community speaking to students in the classrooms on technical skills development and career opportunities in the STEM discipline and serve as guest speakers for special programs.

AMRDEC has a robust and widely recognized program in the Huntsville-Madison County Community.

AMRDEC participates in a number of Army Educational Outreach Programs, including College Qualif ied Leaders, eCybermission, Educational Partnership Agreement, Faculty Research & Engineering Program, Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science, Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, and Science and Engineering Apprentice Program.

RELATED LINKShttps://www.educationoutreachherald.com

AMRDEC recognized for STEM outreach

Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center Director Eric Edwards (center) receives the 2012 Government Science Technology, Education, and Mathematics Award presented by Union Chapel Christian Academys Headmaster, Dr. O. Wendell Davis (right) and Director of Development, Georgia Valrie, pose at a Gala event in September. (Courtesy photograph)

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Army, Rowan University benefit from engineering collaborationBy Kristen KushiyamaCERDEC Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Quid pro quo. Thats the relationship established by the U.S. Army and Rowan University when it comes to their collaborative research in support of the Army and training Americas future workforce.

The Armys Research, Development and Engineering Commands communications-electronics center, or RDECOM CERDEC, has established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or CRADA, in order to work together to advance Army technologies in the areas of mission command, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance networks and systems.

Ryan Fillman and Metin Ahiskali, CERDEC Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate engineers and Rowan University alumni, spearheaded a collaboration agreement between Rowan in Glassboro, N.J.j and CERDEC I2WD here, in which Rowan students take courses, called clinics, in order to gain exposure to practical applications of engineering.

Typically the clinic courses align with masters students and professors areas of research. During the course, graduate and undergraduate students test different systems applicable to Army needs and requirements with the help and guidance of professors and fellow graduate students, Fillman said.

By working with the government the university can fulfill its hunger for collaboration, said Dr. Shreekanth Mandayam, Rowan University associate provost for research and executive director of the South Jersey Technology Park.

Rowan University is driven to engage with government and industry in leveraging the R&D capabilities of our faculty and benefitting our students to gain real-world experiences that will enable them to be competitive in the workplace, said Mandayam, who noted the university also collaborates with other universities, industry members, federal and state agencies, municipalities, local governments, and entrepreneurs.

Many of the technologies students work on are directly applicable to Army programs.

One technology students have had the opportunity to work with since the spring 2011 semester is the Armys Remote Monitoring System, a wireless remote sentry monitoring sensor that can be left unattended for years, which sends information over far distances to Soldiers at a base station. Rowan students worked on automated calibration

procedures for the RMS.The calibration is important in improving

the direction finding accuracy of the system, Fillman said. Rowans research has improved the calibration accuracy as well as automated it.

Students will continue working on the RMS calibration project during this school year, and a graduate student will do a thesis related to the project, said Fillman.

The students get real world experience that will be applicable after graduation, Fillman said.

Working with the students also gives CERDEC the chance to look at up and comers for possible jobs, said Mark Farwell, CERDEC I2WD Cyber ISR team lead.

Not only does this CRADA allow I2WD to collaboratively research areas important to the Army, it also allows us the opportunity to offer these students job opportunities as they become available, Farwell said.

The Army and university association with research and technology is beneficial not just to the organizations for the purpose

of building a stronger U.S. workforce and making advancements but to the students and faculty as well.

When students engage with faculty in their research enterprise, they are provided with unique opportunities to expand their work experience and will enable them to compete for jobs, not only with the U.S. Army but elsewhere in government and private industry, Mandayam said.

The feedback from students has been positive according to Dr. John Schmalzel, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rowan University.

Students are enthusiastic about having the opportunity to work on this project, Schmalzel said. It involves state-of-art tools and methodologies, demonstrates the nature of the type of problems that are important to an important industry, application sector; provides the opportunity to work with engineers whose skill sets closely match theirs; and may provide opportunities for post-graduate employment.

This type of agreement provides an opportunity to demonstrate what students can accomplish- often exceeding expectations based on the assumed level of sophistication from junior- and senior-level engineering students, Schmalzel said.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/rhWz

Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ., partners with the U.S. Armys Research, Development and Engineering Commands communications-electronics center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., to bring technology advancements to Army systems while giving students the opportunity to experience real-world engineering scenarios. (Photo courtesy of Rowan University)

The students get real world experience that will be applicable after graduation

Ryan Fillman


By TJae Gibson ARL Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Studies are under way at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory to create a super engine that may allow military ground vehicles, stationary power generators, and small unmanned aerial vehicles, for example, to operate with the same kind of fuel.

In the late 1980s, the Department of Defense issued a Single Fuel Forward policy calling for use of kerosene-based JP-8 fuel to reduce logistic burdens associated with transporting multiple fuels.

Using a single fuel exposes many incompatibility issues. None of the engines that use JP-8 are designed and calibrated for JP-8.

A design gap exists because there is not enough information on the specific combustion characteristics associated with JP-8 use in intermittent combustion engines, said acting team lead Chol-Bum Mike Kweon, from ARLs Vehicle Technology Directorate said.

Usually large companies are not willing to develop engines specific for JP-8 because it requires significant effort and funding while the market for the military is relatively small and unstable, Kweon said. Small companies have been developing JP-8-fueled engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, while diesel engines are used for ground vehicle engines.

Small companies dont have the capability to perform basic fundamental research, he explained.

ARL research bridges the knowledge gap, which may lead to the creation of an engine that operates optimally with JP-8.

Fuel spray liquid penetration, quenching, vaporization and mixing characteristics must be precisely understood to properly design combustion chambers and fuel injection systems because a fundamental understanding of fuel spray and combustion is essential in optimizing combustion processes of JP-8-fueled engines to improve fuel efficiency, engine performance and reliability, Kweon said.

ARLs Combustion Research Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, high-temperature and high-pressure combustion chamber that opened this summer for fuel spray and combustion research, critical areas of interest Defense-wide to facilitate the basic research and development work necessary for the successful development of JP-8-fueled combustion systems.

ARL collaborates with Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity to assess a fuel injector used in a Caterpillar C7 engine, used in Strykers. Results will define how fuel properties affect fuel injection systems performance.

UNIQUE LABORATORY, UNMATCHED IN INDUSTRY

ARLs vehicle technology research dates back to the early 1980s in gas turbine engines. ARL has broadened its vehicle technology focus to include internal combustion engines.

The laboratory will also be used to develop heavy fuel injection systems for high-efficient UAV engines.

Currently, there is no robust heavy fuel injection system for UAV engines, Kweon said.

Kweon has conducted research on diesel engines, various fuels and combustion, emissions.

The laboratory contains a high-temperature and high-pressure combustion chamber to simulate real engine operating conditions. Researchers can study uninterrupted spray and combustion processes.

Currently, this is the only laboratory within DoD that has this capability, Kweon said.

Industry operates a first and second generation of the chamber for commercial research and development.

ARL has a third-generation chamber.The facility also has air and onsite nitrogen

supply systems to control oxygen concentration from zero (almost pure nitrogen) to 21 percent (pure air) in the gas mixing system.

The laboratory also assesses heavy fuel injection systems performance for fuels such as JP-8, diesel, bio and synthetic fuels.

This laboratory has a unique capability to assess the various JP-8 surrogate fuels and

to compare the results with the combustion mechanisms developed by various universities and government laboratories, Kweon said.

This research will help scientists and researchers to develop a universal JP-8 combustion mechanism, he said.

These research efforts will enable [unmanned aerial systems] engines to efficiently run on heavy fuels such as JP-8, Kweon said. I am confident that this laboratory will be a critical asset to the Army and DOD to support the development and/or advancement of various ground and [unmanned aerial vehicle] engines.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/YX2T

ARL researchers work may lead to JP-8 super engine

Army researchers as the Combustion Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., enable a unique research capability within the DoD. (U.S. Army photos by Conrad Johnson)

Dr. Chol-Bum Mike Kweon is acting team lead of the engines team at the Army Research Laboratorys Vehicle Technology Directorate.


By Edric Thompson CERDEC Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. The U.S. Army announced it has completed field testing for radio-based combat identification capabilities, which it expects to field next year as part of Capability Set 14.

Product Manager Network Systems and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Command Center, concluded three and a half years of work this summer at Fort Dix, N.J., that will save money by leveraging and updating software embedded in the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, or SINCGARS.

Universal Network Situational Awareness, or UNSA, runs on multiple frequencies and will provide additional flexibility. With embedded or attached GPS, its able to send situational awareness data to Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below -- or FBCB2 -- and any other mounted or dismounted RBCI-capable SINCGARS within radio frequency range, regardless of the voice net being used.

This capability has been jointly developed in close coordination between FBCB2 and PdM NS to meet a Threshold Requirement in the Joint Battlefield Command Platform Capability Development Document for a Beacon solution.

UNSA allows radios to communicate with each other directly, regardless of voice net, thus allowing all SINCGARS radios to act as beacons, providing greater situational awareness to FBCB2. Designed to work on the Advanced System Improvement Program platforms, UNSA will be an important component in RBCI efforts to reduce air-to-ground fratricide, said John Wentworth, PdM NS lead engineer for radio-based combat identification.

If theres a convoy rolling through your area and you didnt know about it, these guys would be able to send you their position automatically before you tried to engage them. Some convoys dont have the ability to beacon now, but all of them have radios. So once this software goes out there, they will have this ability, Wentworth said.

Recapitalizing on legacy radio systems in theater will save the Army money without adding to space, weight and power challenges.

There are more than 386,000 ASIP SINCGARS fielded, which means youll be able to field 386,000 beacons. And because its a software upgrade only, youll save $10,000 with each radio upgrade. You dont have to install new hardware or train folks how to operate it; you dont have to take eight pounds of ammo off a vehicle or make a dismount with a 110-pound

pack or have to carry 150 pounds. You get this for free in both cost and weight. And it really helps us get this capability to the Warfighter as fast as we can, Wentworth said.

The work, which was performed at CERDECs integrated C4ISR capabilities testbed, prepared PdM NS for Network Integration Evaluation 12.2, allowing insight to the capacity of the universal network, the number of beacons that could be used and how best to install the software.

It also gave us an idea about the amount of support wed need to install the capability at NIE, and what legacy functions of the SINCGARS did or did not work at that time, which we would have needed to inform the users at NIE. It went well and the feedback at NIE was positive; we plan to participate in 13.1, Wentworth said.

Product Director Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Network Modernization -- which operates the testbed at Fort Dix -- is an R&D program within RDECOM CERDEC. It focuses on the future network, near term and several years out, providing the Army with a relevant venue to assess next generation technologies and to facilitate technology maturation.

The program is also a key component in CERDECs support of the agile acquisition process, utilizing its field lab environment to perform risk mitigation and candidate

assessment/selection for future Network Integration Rehearsal/Exercise events.

What is the definitive data that allows maturation to happen? Its taking a look at a capability, the gap, what technologies you have to fill that gap and how best to tweak that technology as you move forward. But you have to build an environment so you can get at those gold nuggets on the front end of the development cycle. Were helping technology providers take a pulse check of where their technology is and then helping them shape it so it can work in the future network, said Product Director Lt. Col. Quentin L. Smith, PD C4ISR & Network Modernization.

Part of this expertise involves looking at current and legacy systems, seeing what is not being used in those technologies that can potentially fill a gap and helping to flush out those capabilities. Weve got legacy systems in which the Armys invested and we have future force waveforms, such SRW and ANW2, coming down the pike. So its a good thing for the Army whenever we can teach old dogs new tricks, Smith said.

PdM NS is scheduled to deliver the software to Project Manager FBCB2. If certified and approved by the National Security Agency, the software upgrade would be available for all RBCI Capable SINCGARS radios within a year.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: http://go.usa.gov/YX2T

Army to field radio-based combat identification

Where are your friendlies during a call for fire? With embedded or attached GPS, Universal Network Situational Awareness is able to send SA data to Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below and any other mounted or dismounted Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System within radio frequency range. (U.S. Army photo)


Ed Lopez ARDEC Public Affairs

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. Sgt. 1st Class Joshua A. Johnston received the Purple Heart Sept. 20 at the Lindner Conference Center for wounds received in action Dec. 9, 2007, in Iraq while assigned to the 18th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion combined Joint Task Force Troy.

Johnston has been assigned to Picatinny since May 2008 as foreign ordnance section noncommissioned officer. His organization, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Directorate, is part of the Munitions Engineering Technology Center.

Johnston received the Purple Heart from John Hedderich, the head of the METC, which in turn is part of the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center.

When I got the word that he wanted me to present this to him it meant a lot, Hedderich said.

The honor of you asking me is just incredible. I dont know how to express that.

Hedderich noted Johnstons low-key demeanor during the rehearsal for the ceremony, quoting Johnston as having said, Gee sir, I was just doing my job. I dont like this big deal about getting a medal.

Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux, Picatinny Arsenal senior commander, praised Johnston for his contributions at Picatinny as well as a deployed Soldier.

Hes been doing a remarkable job

here, but we are indebted and grateful for the things he has done on both his tours, Maddux said. Thank you for what you have done for our nation.

In his brief remarks, Johnston thanked his family for its support no matter what I do and for resilience during the challenges of Army life.

Im filled with humility and gratitude today, Johnston told the audience.

Most of the men and women who receive this award do so on a hospital bed today Im fortunate to spend my day with you my family, friends, fellow Soldiers and coworkers.

Im thankful to be healthy, and home safe with the people that I care about. I pray every day for the safe and speedy return of all of our troops who remain in harms way.

Johnston entered the Army May 10, 2004 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He attended Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to become an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Johnstons previous assignment was with the 18th Ordnance Company Fort Bragg, N.C.

Johnston deployed to Iraq once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two battle stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (two battle stars), Combat Action Badge, and the Senior EOD Badge.

Army awards ARDEC Soldier Purple Heart

RDECOM welcomes new DCG

Picatinny Arsenal Senior Mission Commander Brig. Gen. Jonathan Maddux pins a Purple Heart Medal on Sgt. 1st Class Joshua A. Johnston Sept. 20. He earned the award for wounds received in action in Iraq in 2007. (U.S. Army photo)

Brig. Gen. David P. Hughes


ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Brig. Gen. Daniel P. Hughes assumed duties as the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command deputy commanding general Nov. 1.

Before coming to RDECOM, the general served as Director, System of Systems Integration at APG.

He earned his commission in the U.S. Army Field Artillery branch through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1983.

His assignments include Germany, Fort Sill, Okla., Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Saudi Arabia and others with increasing levels of responsibility.

Hughes previously served as a project manager with the Program Executive Office, Command, Control, and Communications Systems, Fort Monmouth, N.J.; Deputy for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.; Project Manager, Joint Tactical Radio Systems, Ground Domain, Program Executive Office, Command, Control, and Communications (Tactical), Fort Monmouth, N.J.; Deputy Program Executive Officer, Enterprise Information System, Fort Belvoir, Va.; and Deputy Program Executive Officer, Integration (Networks), Washington, D.C.

He has a master of business administration degree from Oklahoma City University and a master of science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

RELATED LINKSBio: ht tp://www.army.mil/ar ticle/90340


By Dan Lafontaine RDECOM Public Affairs

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Soldiers deployed to remote locations around the world need a lightweight charger for electronic devices that are critical to successful missions in the 21st century.

A team of U.S. Army engineers are developing new battery chargers for smartphones, tablet computers and laptops to use with military batteries for Soldiers without access to a traditional electrical grid. They have engineered and built prototypes for 8-port, 4-port, and 2-port USB chargers, as well as an AC/USB adaptor -- all of which use a military standard battery such as the BB-2590 as the main power source.

Electronics engineer Yuk Chan and electronics technician Ron Thompson are leading the effort for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command. They develop solutions for Soldiers as part of the Command, Power and Integration Directorate at RDECOMs Communications--Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center.

The key innovation is to design units that are able to charge multiple devices simultaneously from different military standard batteries, Chan said.

Having an on-site prototype integration facility at CERDEC reduces the time and cost of developing products for testing by Soldiers, Chan and Thompson said.

[The PIF] helps us with quick turn-arounds. Otherwise, we would have to wait months for a company to build the box. Having a prototyping facility in our own lab has been an asset in providing [rapid] support to the Soldier in the field, Chan said. It is a unique value added.

Thompson said the PIF has a three-dimensional printer and circuit-board milling machine to design and build prototypes in days instead of months. The group also assembles and tests its products internally.

CERDECs first prototype was an eight-port battery charger designed for smartphones, Chan said. It weighs 2.5 ounces; can recharge up to eight phones simultaneously; and is compatible with the BB-2590, BA-5590, BA-5390, or BB-2557 military batteries. One fully charged BB-

2590 can recharge a smartphone battery 37 times.

After producing the 8-port charger, CERDEC expanded the capability to include charging for tablet computers. The third-generation was a personal 2-port battery charger, weighing 1.8 ounces, for phones and tablets.

Late in 2011, Maj. Mark Owens of Project Manager Soldier Warrior at Fort Belvoir, Va., asked for eight 8-port chargers and eight 4-port chargers for field evaluation. In June 2012, he asked for additional 2-port chargers for field evaluation. At Owens request, Chan and Thompson then built a prototype with an AC adaptor, weighing 5.9 ounces, to enable charging for a laptop and two smartphones.

Lt. Col. Margo Sosinski initiated a request to CERDEC in April 2012 for a USB charger to support Soldiers smartphones in the field. Sosinski is a uniformed science advisor at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., as part of RDECOMs Field Assistance in Science and Technology program, known as FAST.

RDECOMs uniformed science advisors are assigned to major Army operational commands and training centers throughout the world to provide on-site technical advice and quick-reaction

solutions to technical problems.Chan said CERDECs reputation for

delivering timely solutions and capabilities enabled by the PIF led to the initial and subsequent inquiries.

We have a history of developing prototypes to be used in the field. Thats why NTC came to us, Chan said. We got a request, we placed an order for parts, and within five days, we had a working prototype. Within a week and a half, we were able to ship the working prototype to NTC.

Four-port and 2-port chargers were issued to U.S. Africa Command in July. CERDEC also sent 20 2-port chargers to Soldiers in Afghanistan.

Another important consideration for Soldiers is the reliability of a power source, Chan said. In developing countries such as Afghanistan, U.S. forces cannot rely on the local grid for dependable energy because of the wide fluctuations in voltages in AC power. The solutions from CERDEC help to fill that gap with portable power.

The CERDEC team is now developing a 150-watt charger with AC adapter to power all commercially available laptops.

RELATED LINKSArmy.mil: ht tp://go.usa.gov/YnVd

CERDEC engineers develop chargers for phones, laptops in combat

The 150-watt USB/AC adaptor enables charging for a laptop and two smartphones. (U.S. Army photo by Tom Faulkner)


RDECOM engineers receive HENAAC awardsBy Dennis NealRDECOM Public Affairs

ORLANDO, Fla. Engineers with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command received awards Oct. 11 at the 24th annual Hispanic Engineers National Achievement Awards Conference.

Leticia Pachecho, a human factors engineer with RDECOMs Army Research Laboratory, and Angel Castro, an engineering technician with RDECOMs Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, were honored.

The conference Pacheco recognized as most promising engineer or scientist with a graduate degree and was presented with her award during the Salute to our STEM Military and Civilian Heroes dinner.

Dr. Gerardo Melendez, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center director, presented the award.

Dr. Pachecos dedication and quick study has provided recommendations and assessments of military systems to many decision makers, Melendez said, and ultimately [to] Congress, with the purpose of informing their decisions on policy and equipping the force.

Pacheco gave thanks to those who mentored her in school.

Reflecting back, I recall a conversation with my high school math teacher, she said, who challenged me to consider an engineering career. He listened to my interests and introduced me to the field that incorporated those interests. He planted the seeds and others would cultivate it.

Mentoring and investing time in our children and their interests can have a significant and lasting impact on the future of our Latinos in STEM.

Pacheco is highly deserving of the award, said Laurel Allender, director of ARLs Human Research and Engineering Directorate.

The enthusiasm with which she tackles her responsibilities is testament to her inner drive to maintain the highest technical standards as well as her dedication to the users of our systems -- the American Soldier, Allender said. She has applied her valuable talents in diverse and innovative ways through her application of the science and technology upon which human factors engineering is founded.

Castro was recognized for outstanding technical achievement and was presented with a HENAAC Military Luminary award.

Angel is a day-to-day mentor to the centers engineers and scientists and he is proactive in offering his assistance to customers, Melendez said. In fact, he recently expanded the centers ability to assist first-responders with maintenance and repair of their self-contained breathing apparatus.

Alvin Thornton, ECBCs Engineering Directorate director, feels Castro deserves the award.

Mr. Castros quick support to our customer on two [overseas] depl

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