Eng edge mar apr 2016

THE ENGINEERING EDGE EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER Volume 8, Issue 2 March/April 2016

Army Researchers Tackle Head Injuries on the Gridiron and on the Battlefield PAGE 4

ECBC Experts Enhance Military Laboratory Capabilities PAGE 6

Employee Spotlight: Akanksha Raja PAGE 7

Read about the ECBC Engineering Directorate online at http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

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INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE: CONTENTS pg.3|AROUND THE CENTER: Interagency Collaboration Boosts Mobile Analytical Capability for Delaware Civil Support Team pg.3|ECBC IN THE NEWS: Virtual Reality Training Helps Troops Prepare for High-Risk Situations Samsung Business Insights pg.4–5| DESIGN & BUILD: Army Researchers Tackle Head Injuries on the Gridiron and on the Battlefield pg.6|SUPPORT: ECBC Experts Enhance Military Laboratory Capabilities pg.7|EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Akanksha Raja pg.8|STRATEGY & AWARDS: Matrixed Employees Connect with Directorate at Town Hall

TODAY’S ARMY

Diversity and Inclusion a Top Priority for Army Force 2025 and Beyond Recognizing that recruiting, retaining and training a diverse and talented workforce are crucial to readiness, the U.S. Army has developed the Army Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap (ADIR) to support Force 2025 and Beyond.

The new ADIR will be rolled out in fiscal year 2016.

The ADIR supports Soldiers, civilians and family members through an ambitious plan focusing on actions that enable the Army to be vigilant and prepared for change.

“You need to be prepared to go at a moment’s notice. You need to make sure your tactics, your techniques and your procedures are at a very high level of readiness. When called, you will be ready to go,” said GEN Mark Milley, Army Chief of Staff.

The goals of the ADIR include: GOAL 1: Ensure Leadership Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Practices at All Levels of the Army GOAL 2: Institutionalize Talent Management Processes that Identify, Recruit, Develop and Retain a Cadre of High-Performing Soldiers and Civilians from Diverse Backgrounds GOAL 3: Establish and Resource a Structure to Support the Army Diversity Roadmap GOAL 4: Implement Diversity Training and Education Programs that Develop Socio-Cultural Competencies to Meet the Demands of the 21st-Century Expeditionary Force

This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard. Hard copies are located in the Engineering Front Office, E3330, E3331, E3510, E3516, E3549 lobby A and C, E4301, E5102, E5165, and in Rock Island near the Deputy’s office.

The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) Engineering Edge is an authorized publication for members of the DoD. Contents of the Engineering Edge are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of Army. Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the ECBC Engineering Directorate. References to commercial products or entities in this publication, including inserts and hyperlinks, does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army of the products or services offered.

For article suggestions, questions or comments, contact Ed Bowen at edward.c.bowen8.civ@mail.mil.

To access the electronic version, visit: http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG/

GOAL 5: Create and Maintain an Inclusive Environment Where the Value of Diverse Knowledge, Experiences and Backgrounds Enhances Mission Readiness Two internal bodies support the ADIR: the U.S. Army Diversity and Leadership Agency, which develops policies, programs and strategies that support a culture of diversity and inclusion; and the Army Diversity Council, a senior, strategic-level body that leads and supports the Army’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

More Info Army Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap, Nov. 25, 2015, http://www.army.mil/standto/ archive_2015-11-25/ Force 2025 and Beyond, Mar. 27, 2015, http://www.army.mil/standto/archive_2015-03-27

Ask a Tech Tip: How Airplane Oxygen Masks Work Mike Kauzlarich, of the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, reveals how the techniques and lessons learned in labs can help solve your household problems. Submit a question to him at usarmy.APG.ecbc.mbx.engineering-directorate@mail.mil.

Anyone who has ever flown for business or pleasure has listened to the pre-flight safety presentation and heard the words, “In the unlikely event of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will automatically drop from the ceiling.” Ever wonder where the emergency oxygen on an airplane comes from? If you think the oxygen comes from an oxygen bottle, you are wrong. It actually comes from a pyrotechnic pellet in a small container. When you pull the mask towards you, it triggers the burning of the pellet. This burning chemical reaction liberates the oxygen―and you can breathe normally using the mask until the plane returns to a safe breathing altitude.

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Credit: Seenox.org

THE ENGINEERING EDGE |March/April 2016| 3

AROUND THE CENTER

Interagency Collaboration Boosts Mobile Analytical Capability for Delaware Civil Support Team

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arge-scale events require high levels of security across multiple agencies, each with a heightened sense of vigilance and responsibility. In order to bolster its mobile analytical capabilities, the 31st Civil Support Team (CST) in Delaware has partnered with ECBC’s Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML) in an intensive work-study program designed to advance the CST’s technical depth of expertise across a variety of platforms.

CSTs are a National Guard resource that provide local and state authorities with the skills and expertise to prevent and/or respond to weapons of mass destruction events that are chemical, biological or nuclear related. Captain Robert “Dale” Annis is the science officer for the 31st CST, and is responsible for the Analytical Laboratory System—a six-wheeled truck that contains a full suite of analytical equipment needed to accurately identify agents and hazardous substances. It is his job to quickly assess the sample in question, and determine the current or projected consequences in relation to the situation in

which it was collected.

“While on scene, my first concern is whether I can clearly determine if the sample is WMD-related or if it requires deeper analysis. If it does, I need to know which government agency to send it to for further research,” said Annis, who has been on the Delaware CST for more than 10 years. Since January, he has participated in a work study program with ECBC’s EML, the first lab in the United States to meet requirements set forth by the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program for testing chemical warfare material.

“I’ve worked with at least five different analysts in the lab learning new test methods with the depot area air monitoring systems, developing agent standards, and using advanced software on the equipment.

It’s been an incredibly valuable experience,” Annis said.

The CST’s Analytical Laboratory System includes a broad range of equipment and

The 31st CST’s Analytical Laboratory System can identify chemical warfare agents on-scene. Credit: ECBC Public Affairs capabilities, such as gas chromatography— mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, polymerase chain reaction, electrochemiluminescence antibody testing for toxins, and pathogens.

More Info “Interagency Collaboration Boosts Mobile Analytical Capability for Delaware Civil Support Team,” Jan. 28, 2016, http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/2016/ interagency-collaboration-boosts-mobileanalytical-capability-delaware-civil-supportteam.html

ECBC IN THE NEWS

Virtual Reality Training Helps Troops Prepare for High-Risk Situations Samsung Business Insights ECBC’s use of virtual reality to develop training for Soldiers was recently mentioned in Samsung Business Insights.

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earning can take many forms; reading and lectures can both help a student to internalize information. But there are some things that simply cannot be taught solely through classroom exercises.

It doesn’t make sense to read about bomb disposal or to learn live fire procedures on a chalkboard. At the same time, it’s even less desirable to have a student practice these things in the real world, at least not the first time out.

Virtual reality training offers a pragmatic compromise. By delivering an intimate digital experience, students can undergo these military moments firsthand, without risk to themselves or others. In

virtual reality (VR), an individual enters a computer-generated simulation of a threedimensional world, using helmets, gloves and other sensors to interact with this virtual environment.

A number of examples have already emerged in which government leaders have directed military units to train using VR: • Researchers at the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center are using VR to train soldiers on a complex piece of detection equipment called the Husky Mounted Detection System, or HMDS. This tool detects underground explosives and anti-tank mines. [Read More] Military educators should find a ready audience for this type of training. The young people who typically make up the newest recruits are accustomed to functioning in APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Edgewood Chemical Biological Center Military Deputy COL Debra Daniels tries out the virtual reality head-mounted display. Credit: ECBC Public Affairs virtual worlds, thanks to their typically deep immersion in video games.

More Info “Virtual Reality Training Helps Troops Prepare for High-Risk Situations,” https:// insights.samsung.com/2016/01/06/ virtual-reality-training-helps-troops-preparefor-high-risk-situations/

4 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

DESIGN

BUILD

Army Researchers Tackle Head Injuries on the Gridiron and on

The research team from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, ECBC and a corporate partner. They were one of three named in the final phase of the National Football League’s Head Health Challenge II. The team will have a chance to receive funding to continue head protection research. Credit: U.S. Army

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ilitary color guards and aircraft flyovers add to the fan experience at NFL games, but a team of Army scientists and researchers are currently working with the NFL to increase player safety when it comes to head injuries.

serious injury. Changing the equipment they wear might be the next. That’s where the Army’s scientific community comes in.

While the powerful tackles and hard hits that professional football is known for can be exciting to watch, they have also become a source of increased scrutiny for the NFL. The league recently released data that showed the number of player concussions reached a four-year high in 2015. Almost a third of those injuries were from helmet-tohelmet collisions.

The sponsors have committed up to $20 million to fund solutions that advance the development of technologies that can detect early stage mild traumatic brain injuries and improve player protection.

Changing the rules to penalize teams and players for dangerous hits is one step the NFL has taken to protect players from

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s design for a helmet-to-body tether system has reached the final stage of the Head Health Challenge II, a competition sponsored by the NFL, Under Armour and General Electric to design innovative approaches for preventing and identifying brain injuries.

So far, the ARL team has been awarded $500,000 to further advance their project, with the chance to receive up to $1 million to continue their research.

The team is comprised of engineers and researchers from ARL’s Weapons and APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Materials Research and Survivability and Lethality Analysis Directorates, plus co-op engineering students, a small business partner, and an industrial designer from ECBC’s Advanced Design and Manufacturing Product Realization Division.

“Anytime we are working on a project that will directly affect a person’s health and well-being, that is exciting and rewarding,” said Gregory Thompson, the ECBC industrial designer involved in the project. “The whole team is excited to continue research and development of our concept and see this turn into a real, wearable product.”

ARL’s concept uses rate-dependent tethers that connect a player’s helmet to the body and allow for freedom of motion at low speeds (think typical play-by-play action), but provide high-force resistance during faster, more sudden events, such as tackling and colliding with the ground.

THE ENGINEERING EDGE |March/April 2016| 5

the Battlefield

The team’s design uses rate-dependent tethers that connect a player’s helmet to the body and provide high-force resistance during fast, sudden events, such as tackles and ground collisions. Credit: U.S. Army “Our experiments show that peak head acceleration, an important correlating factor with head injury, can be reduced by 50 percent with our technology,” said Dr. Eric Wetzel of ARL’s Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, who is leading the project. “Over the next 12 to 18 months, we will be working with commercial partners to convert our laboratory concept into a wearable garment for sports and military applications.”

The team is using an instrumented mannequin to mimic a football player falling backwards and striking the back of his head on the ground with the high force and velocity similar to a tackle. During this motion, the tethers stiffen between the helmet and the body, which inhibits the violent motion when the head hits the ground.

Thompson said ECBC’s Advanced Design and Manufacturing Product Realization Division partners with many organizations

who need rapid-prototyping services. ECBC’s world-class 3-D printing laboratory is capable of creating advanced prototypes throughout the research and development process.

The ARL team views this project as an opportunity to advance the technology to mitigate head trauma for Soldiers, in addition to pro athletes.

“We have a strong partnership with ARL to take their research and assist in realizing a functional prototype or product,” Thompson said. “We design products to best consider functionality for the end user, including aesthetic appeal, ergonomics, fit and function, and adoptability for the user.”

“On the military side, we’re developing this technology with an eye toward application for Soldiers to reduce the probability for head injury, in particular for paratroopers,” Thompson said. “It’s great to be actively doing something to address a problem that is at the forefront of the NFL, but has the potential to benefit the Warfighter.”

Football players are not the only people likely to sustain brain injury during their careers. According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, more than 313,000 service members have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury since 2000. The Army has conducted lengthy studies on traumatic brain injury in an effort to diagnose, care for and prevent such injuries.

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Watch the video about this project at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=PRE0UtnnqJQ

6 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

SUPPORT

ECBC Experts Enhance Military Laboratory Capabilities A team from ECBC led an effort to increase the ability of United States Forces Korea to analyze samples of suspected biological warfare agents

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A multidisciplinary team of researchers and technicians from the ECBC has led the effort to upgrade laboratory capabilities a half a world away, dramatically increasing the ability of United States Forces Korea (USFK) to analyze samples of suspected biological warfare agents.

In just four months, ECBC increased the sample throughput of three U.S. military laboratories in South Korea from two to three samples of suspected biological warfare agent per day to dozens per day with a 24-hour turn-around time for results.

The laboratory upgrades were part of a larger project known as the Joint USFK Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition (JUPITR) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD). Experts in ATD from the ECBC Engineering Division are supporting the project in several ways, including development of key project documentation, management of the overall test and evaluation plan for the capability, and defining a Concept of Employment for JUPITR. Funding and strategic guidance comes from the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.

The Most Advanced Analytics in the World The Army laboratory is located at Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul. The Air Force laboratories are located at Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base, both on the west coast of the Republic of Korea. ECBC is setting up a fourth laboratory at Camp Humphreys for the U.S. Army Public Health Command which it expects to complete in the next year. These laboratories provide USFK and the Republic of Korea with the most advanced analytics the world – proteomics, genomic sequencing, plus

Scientists from ECBC partner with scientists from the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the Naval Medical Research Center to get user feedback on upgraded biosurveillance laboratory equipment ECBC installed in laboratories in South Korea and Japan as part of Project JUPITR’s BICS Leg. Credit: U.S. Army nucleic acid and antibody-based identifiers.

Taken together, these laboratories form a bulwark of detection and protection from biological warfare as well as naturally occurring threats such as bird flu or SARS. The laboratory upgrades are just one aspect of the JUPITR ATD, which consists of four capability areas, referred to as legs. An Early Warning Leg provides an early alert to threatening activities using sensors and cameras. An Assessment of Early Detection Leg collects biological samples and performs a preliminary analysis. Redmond and his team are members of the Biological Identification Capability Sets, or BICS, Leg which uses advanced laboratory analytics to provide confirmatory analysis and precise identification of the type of biological agent.

The fourth leg is the Global Biosurveillance Portal which is a web-based information platform shared by healthcare agencies around the world.

Choosing the Right Technology for the End Users The selection of analytical methods was a crucial component of the BICS Leg. Not APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

only did these methods have to meet very precise Department of Defense standards, they had to be readily usable by the U.S. military personnel staffing the laboratories. Depending on the location, they vary from U.S. Air Force Biological Augmentation Teams, to U.S. Army Public Health Command scientists, to U.S. Army laboratory officers.

A Model for the Region “This team established the model for the entire region,” said Peter Emanuel, Ph.D., the Project JUPITR lead and ECBC Biosciences Division chief. “The Republic of Korea didn’t just get a material solution for their biosurveillance needs in the form of laboratory equipment and a supply chain. They learned a whole new way of addressing their biosurveillance needs.”

More Info “ECBC Experts Enhance Military Laboratory Capabilities,” Apr. 15, 2016, http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/2016/ ecbc-experts-enhance-military-laboratorycapabilities-korea.html

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Akanksha Raja

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his month’s Employee Spotlight is on Akanksha Raja, ECBC liaison to the Army G-8 Office at the Pentagon.

What is your background with ECBC? I was hired in June 2010 as a chemical engineer in the Protection Engineering Division. I then became a member of ECBC Joint Service General Mask team as a systems and logistics engineer. In May 2015, I had the opportunity to serve as the ECBC Executive Officer before transitioning to my current position as ECBC liaison to the Army G-8 Office at the Pentagon.

What interested you about the ECBC Executive Officer position, and what was your role?

When I applied for the position, I was seeking more leadership roles and experiences that would help me further my career. In this position, I wanted the chance to gain big-picture perspective and learn how the Center operates from the Director’s Office. I used this opportunity as a shadowing program―a chance to shadow Dr. Corriveau on his day-to-day workings.

It was a privilege to support the Director at high-level meetings that I normally would not have access to. I became Dr. Corriveau’s second set of eyes and ears in those meetings. Many of my tasks were similar to that of a staff coordinator role.

I quickly learned how to balance keeping up with Dr. Corriveau’s schedule with supporting tasks, such as responding to requests from higher headquarters.

What are your responsibilities with your current detail at the Pentagon?

I am currently serving a six-month detail as the ECBC liaison to the Army G-8 Office at the Pentagon. The Army G-8 Office is the Army’s lead for matching available resources to the defense strategy and the Army plan. The G-8 coordinates with the

Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) on all proposed programming recommendations related to ongoing Army acquisition programs and science and technology initiatives. Here, I am able to keep eyes and ears on Army funding specific to ECBC planning.

When I first arrived at the Pentagon, I was assigned the role of a Staff Synchronization Officer for CBRN programs, gathering updates on programs to help determine funding for the next POM cycle. I was also assigned to support the Bio-Safety Task Force, which was stood up after the anthrax shipment incident to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

What has been your experience in your developmental assignment, and what have you learned as of this point?

This position has challenged me to work outside my usual comfort zone. I have had the opportunity to understand the big picture from a top-down perspective versus a bottom-up perspective as an engineer.

I have learned that this role requires discretion, and that you have to put your ego to the side. I am used to speaking up in meetings as a subject-matter expert; however, this role requires that I listen, know when to speak up, and when

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address matters and questions privately as appropriate. Working with such high-profile military and civilians, it surprised me when they recognized my name and role.

What is your advice for other employees who are interested in advancing their careers at ECBC? This has been a great assignment for me, and I recommend anyone early in their career to take advantage of the opportunities available. Get involved and try different positions. Stay flexible and adaptive to things such as schedule and requirement changes. These roles are not as fixed as what you may be used to, so be prepared for a fast-paced, constantly changing environment. Finally, it is important to be available to support as needed. The position and responsibilities can change from day to day.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

This detail at the Pentagon is great because, being a foodie, I love being close to so many great restaurants in the city.

Brunch is my favorite meal, so I am always looking for great brunch spots close by.

8 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

STRATEGY

AWARDS

Matrixed Employees Connect with Directorate at Town Hall

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ngineering Director Michael Abaie hosted a town hall geared toward the Directorate’s matrixed employees on Jan. 28 in the Berger Auditorium. This was the second in a series of three town halls that Abaie is holding to discuss the outcomes of the employee sensing sessions that were held late last year.

They support customers including the Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) and its Project Managers, and other DoD and Army organizations in a variety of roles such as acquisition managers, program analysts and systems engineers.

The meeting was also an opportunity for matrixed personnel to reconnect with the Engineering Directorate, learn about the latest initiatives, and network with peers and Engineering leadership.

“Our matrixed personnel are a significant part of our workforce, and any forum where we can all get together and openly discuss what we are doing and how it all meshes together is valuable.”

- Lowry Brooks, Acting Associate Director and JPEO-CBD Client Manager

In addition to discussing the outcomes of the employee sensing sessions, which gathered feedback about the benefits and challenges faced by the ECBC workforce, Abaie provided introductions to current Directorate, Center and RDECOM initiatives. He also encouraged questions and provided answers directly to those posed by attendees.

Dr. Chad McKee and Emily Whaley were among those honored for their government service. Credit: ECBC Public Affairs

“Matrixed employees face unique challenges and can often feel disconnected from the core of ECBC. These are walls that we want to break down, and an open line of communication helps both leadership and the larger workforce to do that.

- Lowry Brooks, Acting Associate Director and JPEO-CBD Client Manager

The meeting concluded with several matrixed employees being honored for their service to the government.

Five Years of Service • David Alter

• Rebecca Massey

• Phillip Harman

• Steven Miller

• Jennifer Iskra

• Matthew Powers

20 Years of Service

• Mobil Kolbon • Robyn Litle

• Patrick Wallis

25 Years of Service • Lester Ashley

• Andrea Jenkins

• Linwood Halsey, Jr.

• Scott Lubag

• Pablo Hernandez

• Christopher Wright

30 Years of Service • William Adams

• Elaine Neary

• Franz Amann

• Felix Reyes

• Edward Conley

• Derek Romitti

• David Drummond

• Lisa Silks

• Kenneth Kammerer • Henry St Pierre • Brian Loisel

35 Years of Service • Marlene Johnson

• William Semiatin

• David Lee

• Robert Thresher

Ten Years of Service • Jonathan Bartel

• Valerie McCarty

• Lisa Mingioni

• Connie Wolf

• Stephen Carrig

• Chad McKee

40 Years of Service

• Leanne Chacon

• Dana Trzeciak

• Kia Hopkins

• Courtney Hughes

• Juliane Hughes

• Emily Whaley

• R. Michael Mays

15 Years of Service • Nicole Fletcher • Kevin Kearns • J. Allen Swim APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

• Paula Ryan

• Jessie Vanderwiele