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THE ENGINEERING EDGE EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER Volume 8, Issue 5 November/December 2016

2016

Year In Review

BUILD

SUPPORT

D E SI G N

TEST

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: pg. 3|DESIGN: ECBC’s Augmented Reality Demo a Real Hit at the U.S. Senate pg. 4–5|Engineering Edge 2016 Year In Review pg. 6|STRATEGY: Engineering Business Plan Charts Path for Growth in FY17 pg. 7|EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Gloria Morales pg. 8|AROUND THE CENTER: ECBC Leaders Receive Senior Service Pins pg. 8|ECBC IN THE NEWS: Army Goes Aerial in Search for Bio-Chem Threats

TODAY’S ARMY

Army Talent Management Strategy

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n an increasingly uncertain future and while the Army continues drawing down, it is more important than ever that the department employs the right talent in the right job at the right time.

Talent management is a way to enhance Army readiness by maximizing the potential of the Army’s greatest asset―its people. The Army Talent Management Strategy is the organizing concept for the Army’s futurefocused human capital management practices. The department is moving from an industrial age personnel system to a 21st-century talent management system that will enhance total force readiness by aligning individual capability with the Army’s needs while optimizing human performance and engagement.

The Army established the Talent Management Task Force to integrate and synchronize Army efforts to acquire, develop, employ and retain a high quality force that can fight and win against any adversary in the world on the battlefield.

Following the creation of the task force, the Army developed a strategy map that lays out the ends, ways and means necessary to optimize the talent of all Army professionals. Additionally, the Army is developing and implementing the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A) that will allow improved information flow and greater transparency between all components of the Army and allow the Army to employ and retain its very best.

By better understanding the talent of the workforce and the talent needed by units, the Army can more effectively acquire, develop, employ and retain the right talent at the right time.

More Info Army Talent Management Strategy, https://www.army.mil/standto/archive_2016-11-03/?s_cid=standto 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.

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.

For article suggestions, questions or comments, contact Genna Rowe at genna.l.rowe.civ@mail.mil.

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

Ask a Tech Tip: Soap Nuts Mike Kauzlarich of the ECBC R&T Directorate 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.

Do natural products like soap nuts work as well as standard laundry detergents to clean and lift stains? The short answer is no. Soap nuts contain saponin, a natural cleaner that works as a surfactant―a compound that lowers the surface tension between two liquids or a liquid and a solid. While soap nuts are a gentle cleanser that may be useful to those with allergies and skin sensitivities, its ability to lift and remove stains is mediocre at best.

That being said, there is good news for those looking for alternatives. There is an entire industry devoted to natural cleaning products, including laundry detergent, that are free of dyes and fragrances, yet still tough on your dirtiest clothing. If you are looking for a more natural product, my advice: always read the product label.

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THE ENGINEERING EDGE | November/December 2016 | 3

DESIGN

ECBC’s Augmented Reality Demo a Real Hit at the U.S. Senate

Senator John Thune (SD) tries out the ECBC augmented reality equipment with the guidance of ECBC employee Jason Gitlin (right).

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he Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation holds dozens of hearings a year and they are usually pretty routine; but ECBC brought the ‘wow factor’ prior to a November 16 hearing on augmented reality (AR).

Senators John Thune (SD) and Jeff Moran (KS) both wore the state-of-the-art head mounted display the ECBC team developed and brought with them. The senators saw a virtual image and detailed assembly

instructions integrated onto a physical model of a biodetector and its components as more than 35 staffers looked on.

“These more advanced AR devices and techniques show that the potential of this technology goes far beyond smartphone games, and could one day have a major impact on manufacturing, transportation, medicine, and eventually the daily lives of average Americans,” said Thune. “AR technology promises to take all of the information that has been confined to the Internet over the past few decades and integrate it into the physical world, where such content can be most useful and do the most good.”

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The ECBC team also spoke with industry developers who all testified later in the hearing, and are working on commercial applications.

“This was a terrific opportunity for our experts in this area to show the nation’s policymakers that ECBC is on the cutting edge of a transformative technology,” said ECBC Director Joseph Corriveau, Ph.D. “And that we are doing it with the safety of our Warfighters, first responders and the nation from chemical biological threats foremost in our minds.”

4 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

ENGINEERING EDGE: ENGINEERING EDGE 2016 YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 MOVING THE MISSION FORWARD In 2016, the Engineering Directorate concentrated on gaining a greater understanding of its stakeholders’ needs and future plans—and aligned its strategy to meet that mission.

Engineering

Test

ADM

Acquisition

Logistics

Product Realization

Sustainment

Engineering

Strategic

Planning and Business Management

ADM Systems Engineering and Acquisition Knowledge and Data Management

Sustainment

Support

Protection Engineering

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: LOWRY BROOKS “This is a ‘coming home’ of sorts for me, and I could not be happier to be back here directly supporting the organization that has provided me a truly rewarding and satisfying career.”

Engineering

Support

Detection and Decontamination

Engineering

ECBC WORKS TO ENGAGE MINORITY STUDENTS IN DEFENSE RESEARCH THE ARMY INVENTED A SCARF THAT KEEPS OUT TEAR GAS

MARCH/APRIL 2016 ARMY RESEARCHERS TACKLE HEAD INJURIES ON THE GRIDIRON AND ON THE BATTLEFIELD “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.”

INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION BOOSTS MOBILE ANALYTICAL CAPABILITY FOR DELAWARE CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING HELPS TROOPS PREPARE FOR HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS

ECBC EXPERTS ENHANCE MILITARY LABORATORY CAPABILITIES EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: AKANKSHA RAJA MATRIXED EMPLOYEES CONNECT WITH DIRECTORATE AT TOWN HALL

Read the 2016 and other past issues online at http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

THE ENGINEERING EDGE | November/December 2016 | 5

2016 Year In Review MAY/JUNE 2016

NEW CHEMICAL AGENT TEST FACILITY NOW OPEN The Army’s one-of-a-kind laboratory for testing how well new military equipment stands up against deadly chemical weapons is now open for business.

COLLABORATION FURTHERS NEXT GENERATION DETECTOR TESTING ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE MEETING RECAPS

‘TRAILBLAZER’ NAMED WOMEN IN DEFENSE MID-ATLANTIC WOMAN OF THE YEAR “There are many women in the WID Mid-Atlantic Chapter who devote their skills and time to the WID mission and goals. They are all deserving of recognition. I remain surprised and humbled at having been singled out for this award.”

JULY/AUGUST 2016

DEPUTY DIRECTOR BILL KLEIN HONORED WITH COMMANDER’S AWARD FOR CIVILIAN SERVICE EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: JASON ADAMEK “This is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when you’re part of a good team where everyone brings something to the table and is focused on accomplishing the task at hand. It was an unprecedented mission.”

NON-TRADITIONAL AGENT DEFENSE TEST SYSTEM SAFETY TEAM RECOGNIZED AT 2016 ECBC EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY AWARDS The NTADTS Safety Team was comprised of operators and subject matter experts from all three ECBC Directorates. Each team member played a vital role in the preparations for the safe stand-up of the state-of-the-art Chemical and Biological Defense Program test capability.

Engineering Matrixed Chemical Engineer Jerry Hawks Receives Baltimore Federal Executive Board Excellence in Federal Career Award

TEAM CBRNE RIDES AWAY WITH TROPHY FOR BIKE TO WORK DAY ‘SKIN IN THE GAME’ WITH THE INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE MODEL ENGINEERING FRONT OFFICE STANDS UP NEW STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE “The Front Office is excited to stand up this initiative that focuses on fostering closer relationships with our key customers.”

Article Written by Engineering Employee Leads Summer Issue of Army Chemical Review

Read the 2016 and other past issues online at http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

6 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

STRATEGY

Engineering Business Plan Charts Path for Growth in FY17

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usiness development and planning is at the forefront of the Engineering Directorate’s focus. As a feefor-service organization faced with tight funding availability and strong competition for its services and products, the Directorate’s leadership has recognized the need for targeted business development efforts and enhanced business planning. In response, Engineering has released its FY17 Business Plan, with two overarching Directorate goals and Division-level objectives meant to drive business growth and customer satisfaction.

“This is a promising step in the right direction that will foster our business development and planning efforts, and further our workforce’s engagement in the Directorate’s overall strategy,” noted Bill Klein, Deputy Director of Engineering.

The FY17 Business Plan was championed by the Engineering Business Process Group (EBPG). Chartered in 2015, the EBPG is tasked with overseeing the Directorate’s business planning process, to include development of an annual business plan.

With representation from across all Divisions, the EBPG met diligently throughout 2016 to stand up a unified business planning process and official FY17 Business Plan. The group is led by Jim Duhala, chief of Engineering’s Strategic Planning and Business Management Division. “We have a good group in place that recognizes the challenges facing this Directorate,” said Duhala. “This group has worked hard to enhance the organization’s business planning efforts. We expect to see benefits from its work in terms of each Division’s increased focus on addressing our overall business challenges.”

Working closely with Engineering Front Office leadership, the EBPG identified two overarching goals to drive business planning efforts in FY17: • Goal 1: Create an Agile Directorate, Capable of Responding Quickly and Easily to Change • Goal 2: Maintain and Expand Customers and Funding With these goals in mind, each EBPG member, in conjunction with their Division Chief, devised Division objectives in support of goal achievement, and set metrics to evaluate performance over the course of the fiscal year. The EBPG will track the objectives and meet with Division Chiefs periodically throughout the year to gauge progress.

Joe Grodecki and Becky Rockwell represent the Sustainment Engineering and Support Divisions on the EBPG. “The group made good progress with this new effort. Becky

Rockwell and I have been participating via video teleconference, ensuring that ECBC-Rock Island is well-represented while supporting the perspectives and ideas generated by our colleagues throughout the Directorate.”

The FY17 Business Plan was approved by Engineering Front Office leadership and launched to the workforce in a message from Klein in October 2016. While the plan is already being executed across the Directorate, it is important to highlight that the business planning process and plan itself are fluid and flexible; both can be revised to accommodate changes with customers, capabilities and the overall environment within which Engineering operates.

“The plan is a living document that can be adapted as needed,” noted Kerrin Dame, EBPG member and chief of the Detection and Decontamination Engineering Branch.

“Now that it has been approved, the EBPG will work to implement and evaluate it throughout this fiscal year.”

Implementation of the FY17 Business Plan will serve as the foundation for future plans.

Lessons learned from this year’s effort will be incorporated into the EBPG’s planning process and factored into the next year’s business plan.

The Engineering workforce can access the FY17 Business Plan on CB Connect at https://cbconnect.apgea.army.mil/ ENG/employeeresources/Shared%20 Documents/FY17%20Engineering%20 Directorate%20Business%20Plan.PDF

Goal 1: Create an Agile Directorate, Capable of Responding Quickly and Easily to Change

Engineering FY17 Business Plan

GOALS

Goal 2: Maintain and Expand Customers and Funding

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THE ENGINEERING EDGE | November/December 2016 | 7

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Gloria Morales

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his month’s Employee Spotlight is on Gloria Morales, Engineering Directorate Executive Officer.

Morales comes from the Chemical Biological Test Division, formerly known as the Engineering Test Division, where she is a quality manager in the Protection/Decon Branch, formerly known as the Protective Equipment Test Branch (PETB).

How did your government career begin?

How long have you worked for ECBC? I began my career with the government almost 20 years ago when I relocated from Puerto Rico to accept a three-year contractor position with the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine in Edgewood, now known as the Army Public Health Command, and was converted to government status within my first year on the job. After about six years I was ready for a change, and accepted a chemist position in the toxic chambers under Engineering.

After about a year, the opportunity came up to work at the Protective Equipment Team in the R&T Directorate. This team was subsequently moved back to Engineering under the Engineering Test Division, and became the PETB. In the past 13 years with ECBC, my primary role has been related to quality ensuring that proper quality controls are in place within the PETB, and that testing is done correctly and within established control and test parameters in order to satisfy our customers, relationships and maintain certifications. In addition, the lab that I support was one of the first within the Army to receive its ISO certification which was carried over into ISO 17025 for testing laboratories. I am tasked with ensuring that the standards and paperwork in support of that certification are wellmaintained and that we meet any requirements for recertification.

What attracted you to the Executive Officer assignment? What has your experience been so far?

I sought this opportunity to challenge myself and explore something new. So far, I am really enjoying the position. Every day is different, and I am able to draw upon my years of experience and knowledge of the work that is done in Engineering to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the Directorate.

How do you think this developmental opportunity will benefit you when you return to your normal duties?

This assignment offers a very unique topdown view and vision that one just does not get from working in a lab alone. I am participating in meetings and discussions with the Directorate’s leadership and see firsthand how ideas are discussed and decisions are made that will impact Engineering today and into the future. It has allowed me to understand the acquisition training requirements and why they are so critical to the Engineering Directorate mission at all levels.

Given your experience within ECBC and with this assignment so far, what advice do you have for others working within the Center to advance their careers, build skills, and explore new opportunities?

The best advice that I can offer is to encourage my colleagues to be flexible and open to challenges. I am learning new things every day because of this APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

Morales enjoys participating in regional Renaissance festivals. Photo courtesy of Gloria Morales.

opportunity, and gaining insight into things that I would not normally have exposure to working in a lab. It’s exciting.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy participating in Renaissance festivals, and am a volunteer with two non-profits related to them. The first is the Virginia Renaissance Fair, which is an education non-profit event; the second is RESCU (Renaissance Entertainers Service Crafters United), which assists anyone that has worked or is working at any festival with their medical bills. I love putting on the period costumes and participating in a fair’s activities.

8 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

AROUND THE CENTER

ECBC Leaders Receive Senior Service Pins

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n Nov. 10, ECBC held a combined Senior Executive Service (SES) and Senior Research Scientist (ST) ceremony at the Conference Center on the Edgewood area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Incoming Director of Research and Technology, Dr. Eric Moore, received his SES pin, and the newly appointed Senior Research Scientist for Bioengineering, Dr. Peter Emanuel, received his ST pin.

In his welcoming remarks, ECBC Director Dr. Joseph Corriveau pointed out the depth and breadth of the scientific knowledge of both Moore and Emanuel, “I’ve known Dr. Moore more than 20 years. What a scientist! He has the ability to discuss any aspect of science, and he is perfect for this job.”

Much like Moore, Emanuel has a track record of scientific accomplishments.

“Dr. Emanuel has done amazing things at ECBC,” said Corriveau. “From managing large, complex international projects such as Project JUPITR in Korea, to miniaturizing genomic sequencing using the MiniION, a device that fits in the palm of your hand.”

MG Cedric Wins and Dr. Joseph Corriveau watch as incoming Director of Research and Technology, Dr. Eric Moore, receives his SES pin from his wife, April Moore. Credit: ECBC Public Affairs During his remarks, RDECOM Commander MG Cedric Wins added, “As a commanding general, what I’ve been struck by is what these two men do every day to empower, unburden and protect the Warfighter. We recognize that their performance over their careers has led to this point.”

More Info “ECBC Leaders Receive Senior Service Pins,” Nov. 10, 2016, http://www.ecbc. army.mil/news/2016/ecbc-leadersreceive-senior-service-pins.html

Newly appointed Senior Research Scientist for Bioengineering, Dr. Peter Emanuel, receives his ST flag from Dr. Corriveau. Credit: ECBC Public Affairs

ECBC IN THE NEWS

Army Goes Aerial in Search for Bio-Chem Threats Army Times

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rones already provide eyes in the sky for soldiers in the field, but a new Army program aims to add another sense or two.

Researchers with Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center tested a quadcopter dubbed Deep Purple during the SK Challenge at Utah’s Dugway Proving Ground last month, joining dozens of other developers trying out hardware against simulated chemical agents.

Chemical sensors on the drone were able to detect such an agent, researchers found.

A biological-agent sensor also succeeded, but did so while mounted to an unmanned Mobile Detection Assessment and Response System vehicle, known as MDARS.

That sensor package “needs to be miniaturized” for use with the aerial drone, ECBC research chemist Alan Samuels said in a news release. “The SK Challenge proved its value to ECBC by revealing what our system does well and where it needs more work. We’ll come back next year having built upon what we learned this time.”

Researchers have designed the drone payloads to be modular, Samuels said, allowing units to swap out detection devices based on likely threats.

Soldiers can receive information from the drone from up to two miles away, in real time.

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Credit: U.S. Army

More Info “Army goes aerial in search for bio-chem threats,” Sept. 4, 2016, https://www. armytimes.com/articles/army-goes-aerialin-search-for-biological-chemical-threatswith-drone-testing