NSRDEC Overviewbecame projectile hazards during improvised explosive device scenarios • The...

US ARMY NATICK SOLDIER RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING CENTER

Dr. Charlene MelloChief Scientist, NSRDEC

24 May 2018

NSRDEC Overview

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. PAO# U18-328 1

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited.

Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. 2

Only Active Army Installation in New England

78 Acres459,000 Sq. Ft. of Lab SpaceTotal 174 Acres (including 75 Family Housing units)

Natick Soldier Systems Center

• RDECOM DCG is dual-hatted as Senior Mission Commander, NSSC

• 15 Tenant Organizations working in Concert on Soldier Systems

• One Mission – One Location • All Branches of the Service• Employees: 1498 (+/-) consisting of:

1188 Civilians, 90 Military and 220 Contractors• Holding Over 1,231 Degrees• In 70 Disciplines from Aerospace to Zoology

2Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. PAO# U18-328

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NSRDEC Vision and Mission

The Soldier’s RDEC – Ensuring dominance through superior scientific and engineering expertise

Vision

Providing the Army with innovative science and technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers.

Mission

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NSRDEC Human Capital

704 Civilians19 Military

(primarily research volunteers)86 Contractors17 Fellows

1 Senior Scientist

One team transitioning technologies to empower SoldiersScientists & Engineers Degrees

Master35%

Bachelor50%

< Bachelor1%

Doctoral14%

Chemical SciencesAnalytical ChemistryBiochemistryChemistryFood Science & NutritionInorganic ChemistryPhysical ChemistryPhysical Organic Chemistry

Behavioral & Cognitive SciencesBiopsychologyCognitive PsychologyCounseling PsychologyExperimental PsychologyHealth and Social BehaviorIndustrial PsychologyPhysiological & Comparative

Psychology

MaterialsMaterials Science & EngineeringPlastics EngineeringPolymer Science & Engineering

Engineering & TechnologyAerospaceApplied MechanicsBiomedicalChemicalCivilComputer ScienceElectricalEnvironmentalFire Science

Human FactorsIndustrialMechanicalTextile EngineeringTextile TechnologySafety EngineeringSafety and Occupational Health

Biological SciencesAnthropologyApplied Kinesiology/

BiomechanicsAquacultureAthletic TrainingBiological AnthropologyBiologyBiomechanics

Biomedical EngineeringBiotechnologyExercise ScienceMicrobiologyOrthopedic BiomechanicsPhysical AnthropologyZoology

OtherLiberal ArtsBiostatistics

Criminal JusticeEconomicsMathematics

Business AdministrationClothing TextilesTextile Design


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Aerial Delivery DirectorateMotivation for Research

• Reduce the signature of airdrop operations: Lower IR/RADAR signatures, dissolvable/camouflage canopies.

• New safety technologies for personnel insertion systems to include an automatic opening device for low altitude static line systems and advanced oxygen systems for military free fall systems.

• Enable on-demand tactical resupply to small unit/squads on the move. Payloads of 100-500lbs on request within 10m, with less than 10lb retrograde.

• Develop a high accuracy, low cost aerial delivery system. 1 ton system accuracy <25m, 35Kft altitude, 25+ mile offset.


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DoD Combat Feeding Directorate

Motivation for Research

• Processing/ packaging methods that enable production of fresh-like quality food.

• Biologically tailored, performance optimizing Soldier nutrition

• Targeted nutrition to extended physical & cognitive performance

• Reduced Soldier load using compact, performance enhancing rations

• Rapid detection and identification of food pathogens and toxins

• 3-D printing of food products on or near the battlefield• Leverage biometric information to personalize nutrient

needs of Soldiers


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Expeditionary Maneuver Support Directorate


• Multi-functional tactical habitats in diverse geographical climates and locations.

• Rapidly deployable base camp habitat and organizational equipment systems that enhance expeditionary maneuverability.

• Improved concealment through visual, infrared, and radar signature reduction.

• Reduce footprint and maintenance requirements.

• Improved, readily deployable protection from indirect and direct munition threats


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Soldier Performance Optimization Directorate


• Optimize the Soldier’s mind, body, and equipment• Significantly decrease Soldier load• Integrate power, data information systems on the

Soldier to maximize situational awareness without cognitive overload.

• Novel approaches to enhance human performance (bioengineering)

• Enhanced biofidelic human modeling/encumbered anthropometry

• Sensory analysis and consumer research to optimize rations, clothing, and other areas

• Monitor and optimize cognitive performance of soldiers/squads in high-stakes environments


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Soldier Protection and Survivability Directorate


• Improved hand, arm, face protection from ballistic, blast, and flame/thermal threats.

• “Smart” fibers to maintain body temperature under a wide range of climatic conditions.

• Lightweight ballistic materials for flexible and hard armor, as well as transparent armor for eye protection.

• Flame resistant fibers and textile treatments with improved performance, domestic availability, and durability.

• Protection against chembio threat agents, disease-carrying insects.

• Capabilities to conceal across the spectrum from visible through thermal.


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Unique Capabilities that Foster External Industrial/Academic Partnerships

Tri-component Fibers

Three Stripe Sheath/Core Ribbon

Sheath/Core 16 Segmented Pie Islands-in-the-Sea

Bi-component Fibers


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Load Distribution System (LDS)

As of May 2018

Load distribution system that aims to redistribute the weight of heavy loads without hindering mobility or range of

motion.

• US patent 9,700,122 and additional unpublished application are available for license.

• The LDS is specifically designed to mimic the structure and attributes of the human spine by recreating the internal human spine’s torsion capacity, lateral range of motion, and compression.

• The LDS may have broad ranging applications within the first responder community, and features useful for manufacturers of hiking packs to child carriers.

• Integration into commercially available packs may give the user a freedom of movement and range of motion at the hips and waist not before realized with today’s traditional loadbearing frames.

• https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/load-distribution-system/


https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/load-distribution-system/

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Eyewear Fog Tester Apparatus

As of May 2018

NSRDEC has developed an empirical test to assess the performance of eyewear

anti-fog capabilities.

• NSRDEC has developed a standardized test platform for the performance evaluation of anti-fog coated eyewear. There currently exists no widely-established test method for the quantitative assessment of anti-fog coating efficacy.

• The Natick device uses empirical measurements of delta haze to determine effectiveness of coatings under condensation-inducing conditions.

• 2nd generation device built and tested; 3rd generation device in development.

• Potential for collaboration with US Army Soldier RD&E Center researchers to further develop and test this device for military and commercial use.

• US Patent 8,365,619

• https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/eyewear-fog-tester-apparatus/


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Chlorine Dioxide for Surface Decontamination

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) inactivates resistant bacterial spores and foodborne pathogens with better material compatibility than other chemical sanitizers, and while minimizing hazards to the user and the environment.

• The Army has primary responsibility to protect the warfighter from exposure to pathogenic microbes such as Bacillus A, Listeria, or E coli, which can contaminate food and food handling surfaces.

• The present technology mixes small quantities of two dry powders in water to produce aqueous chlorine dioxide on-site at any concentration desired within minutes.

• Chlorine dioxide can be used to clean surfaces at home, in the office, in labs or in kitchen/food handling environments, or for use in flumes to rinse fresh produce.

• Point-of-use generation of ClO2 / Safe for the environment / Highly effective surface disinfectant – spray, wipe or immersion

• Patent #s 8,182,715, 8,366,961 & 8,337,717 available for license

• https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/chlorine-dioxide-for-surface-decontamination/


https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/chlorine-dioxide-for-surface-decontamination/

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Insulated Container for Bottled (ICB) Water

As of May 2018

NSRDEC has developed an Insulated Container for cold Beverages (ICB) to replace

commercially available insulated coolers that became projectile hazards during improvised

explosive device scenarios

• The durable, flexible, insulated cooler comes in small, medium, and large versions, safely secured with integrated tie-down straps on the inside or to the outside of a vehicle.

• When exposed to ambient temperatures ranging from 100°F to 120°F, the hold time for water (0°F to 72°F) can extend upwards of 56 hours, depending on the size and composition of the unit.

• The durable, flexible, insulated cooler is safely secured with integrated tie-down straps on the inside or to the outside of a vehicle or boat.

• Ruggedized to withstand the elements, even blast tested to survive the most extreme IED scenarios

• US Patent 9,265,318 B1

• https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/load-distribution-system/


https://techlinkcenter.org/technologies/load-distribution-system/

The Soldier’s RDEC –Ensuring Dominance through Superior Scientific & Engineering ExpertiseProviding the Army with innovative science and technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers.

Natick Soldier RD&E Center

15Distribution A. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited. PAO# U18-328

NSRDEC Overviewbecame projectile hazards during improvised explosive device scenarios • The...

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