Archive | January 31, 2011 | Armed with Science

VIDEO: Climate Change and National Security

Filed under Earth Sciences, Videos by John Ohab on January 31, 2011 at 11:50 am {13 comments}

Dr. John Ohab is a new technology strategist at the Department of Defense Public Web Program.

As we continue our recap of the TEDxPentagon event, we move from Army technology to the hot topic of climate change.

In the above video, Oceanographer for the U.S. Navy, RADM David Titley, discusses climate change and its impending ramifications on national security. Listen as he details some of the top facts and figures you should know about climate change and your future, explained in terms that even the most unfamiliar with science would be able to understand.

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The Business of Science: Protecting Navy Medicine’s Inventions

Filed under Policy, Technology by Armed with Science on January 28, 2011 at 11:43 am {no comments}

The Naval Medical Research Center Technology Transfer Team (Photo: NMRC)

Doris Ryan works at the Naval Medical Research Center. Her blog post was originally published in Naval Medical Research and Development News.

Patents protect Navy Medicine’s intellectual property and allow commercial businesses to license the patent for the benefit of our warfighters and also U.S. taxpayers.

Each year the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) Office of Legal and Technology Transfer Services (OLTS) team pursues patent protection for about 20 new inventions, and the team currently has over 50 U.S. and 20 foreign applications in various stages of the patent process. The invaluable patent application process is done behind the scenes, and when successfully completed a 20-year patent is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that protects the unique work done by NMRC researchers.

The first step in the patent application process, before any public disclosure, presentation or publication, is for researcher to fill out a couple of forms. The “Record and Disclosure of Invention” form gives the OLTS team basic information on the nature of the invention and inventorship. The “Patent Rights Questionnaire” form lets the OLTS team determine whether the federal government has sufficient rights to the invention to allow for filing a patent application. These forms are available on the NMRC website or by calling 01-319-7503 or 301-319-9433.

The OLTS team then develops a detailed filing strategy to support the patent application process. U.S. patents are effective only within the U.S., U.S. territories and U.S. possessions.

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Navy Energy Official Predicts Success With Biofuels

Filed under Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Podcast by Armed with Science on January 27, 2011 at 4:23 pm {no comments}

Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense for Energy Tom Hicks told reporters the Navy’s bullish on biofuels. (Photo: DOD)

Matthew Mientka works at the Defense Media Activity’s Emerging Media Directorate.

A senior Navy official yesterday criticized a major “think tank” for its outlook on the development of alternative fuel technologies and markets.

Tom Hicks, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, said in a “DOD Live” Bloggers Roundtable that a report from the nonprofit Rand Corp. to Congress this week contained “misrepresentations and some factual errors,” particularly with regard to Navy development of new fuels.

The Rand Corp. failed to consult the Navy and with industry, Hicks said, and “based on [our] active engagement with industry, we have come to some far different conclusions.”

Listen to the full discussion or read the transcript.

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VIDEO: Technology Without People is Just Very Cool Stuff

Filed under Education & Culture, Technology, Videos by John Ohab on January 27, 2011 at 12:08 pm {one comment}

Dr. John Ohab is a new technology strategist at the Department of Defense Public Web Program.

In November 2010, the Department of Defense hosted TEDxPentagon, a first-of-its kind event held at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. Dynamic speakers from all over the world joined TEDxPentagon to share their personal experiences with the military. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting the science and technology related videos for those who were unable to watch the event live.

In the first video, LTG Benjamin Freakley, U.S. Army Accessions Commander, discusses the modern military servicemember and the future of military recruiting.

Feel free to let me know what you think in the comment section!

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Face-to-Face with Real-Life Explosives Hero: Decorated Warfighter Awes Propulsion Community

Filed under Education & Culture, Technology by Armed with Science on January 26, 2011 at 12:11 pm {no comments}

Not a Hollywood set: explosive ordnance disposal in the field. (Image: DOD)

This blog post was shared by the Chemical Propulsion Information Analysis Center. It is the fourth entry in our 22-part series produced by the Defense Technical Information Center.

Keynote speakers often are selected for their ability to convey policy or because they hold a position of power and prestige. At the most recent Joint Army Navy NASA Air Force Subcommittee Meeting in Orlando, Fla., we had a keynote speaker who held enough power in her hands to level an entire city block…literally.

Melissa Milani, a decorated Naval Explosive Ordnance Technician from Indian Head, Md., gave a captivating presentation on her past role in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. The Bronze Star recipient also touched on how her organization’s work impacted the Department of Defense (DOD) community.

Just like a Hollywood movie, Melissa’s words and stories were explosive, brought to life by a video of a captured enemy munitions disposal. However, it was her ability to connect with the audience that will be most remembered. This particular audience was filled with propellant chemists and engineers who have the job of developing better and safer munitions for the warfighter. It was clear that her skill and dedication during deployments in Kosovo and Iraq made the battlefield a safer place for US troops and civilians.

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Detecting Chemical and Biological Agents on the Nanoscale

Filed under Physical Sciences by Armed with Science on January 25, 2011 at 11:38 am {no comments}

Nanometer-sized gold and silver disks are arranged like barcodes and can be observed as signal in a microscope. (Photo: Mirkin Lab)

Kyle Osberg is a fourth-year student working towards a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. He is originally from Houston, TX.

Researchers and students at Northwestern University have developed a new way to look for chemical and biological agents using miniaturized detectors that work at nanoscale dimensions. The research is being done in the laboratory of Dr. Chad Mirkin, a National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellow (NSSEFF) funded by the Department of Defense. NSSEFF supports world-class faculty members and their development of the next generation of leading scientists.

Among Dr. Mirkin’s students is Kyle Osberg, a fourth year Ph.D. candidate from Houston, Texas, who is studying materials science and engineering. Kyle and a team of four students work on nanometer-sized gold and silver disks that are stacked and spaced at different intervals. They can be used to detect chemical and biological agents, encrypt and authenticate information, and track materials or people of interest, all while being highly covert and invisible to the naked eye.

One vision is that these disks can be embedded into fibers within lightweight, wearable fabrics worn by soldiers to monitor for possible biological and chemical threats.

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Making the Grade: Osan American Elementary School [Dispatches from Antarctica]

Filed under Education & Culture by Armed with Science on January 24, 2011 at 12:08 pm {no comments}

This is the 39th entry in the Armed with Science series, Dispatches from Antarctica. The series features Air Force Lt. Col. Ed Vaughan’s first-hand experiences on OPERATION: DEEP FREEZE, the Defense Department’s support of National Science Foundation research in Antarctica.

In our continuing effort to engage students and teachers, we asked students from Osan American Elementary School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) school at Osan Air Base, South Korea, to submit their top questions about life in Antarctica. The thoughtful questions really helped me reflect on my experiences on the ice.

Stayed tuned for one final question and answer post with DODEA elementary students. Please feel free to let us know what you think in the comment section.

Patrick: What do you like best about living in Antarctica?

Lt. Col. Vaughan: Hi Patrick. I like the unusual setting. Living in Antarctica makes me feel like I’m living on another planet. The mountains and glaciers are very beautiful. The sunlight and clouds often make brilliant colorful patterns in the sky. There are no trees or plants visible and some areas just flat and white for as far as the eye can see.

To know exactly what I mean, check out this picture of the aurora australis over McMurdo Station. The photo was taken by Ken Klassy, National Science Foundation.

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Announcing the Federal Voting Assistance Program Slogan and Poster Contests!

Filed under Challenge, Education & Culture by John Ohab on January 21, 2011 at 11:56 am {no comments}

To enter, create an image or slogan that expresses the importance of voting and will inspire others to vote. (Image: FVAP) Looking for a way to tap into the creative side your scientific mind?

For the first time ever, the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) is opening its biennial voting poster and slogan contests to all U.S. citizens worldwide using Challenge.gov to facilitate the process.

The FVAP Slogan Contest asks for slogan ideas that inspire members of the military, their families and U.S. Citizens residing overseas to start or continue to participate in elections while away from home.

The FVAP Poster Contest seeks artwork illustrating what is means to be an American voter anywhere in the world.

The winner for each contest and a guest will receive a trip to our nation’s capital to participate in special events and tours. Runners-up will not only feel the satisfaction of knowing that their slogan or artwork is helping to improve voter awareness and participation, but will also receive a certificate of recognition from the Department for their contribution to this important endeavor.

There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may submit for either contest. All entries must be received by April 8, 2011.

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