Armed with Science | Providing You Information on Military Science and Technology

The Navy’s Energy-Efficient Mini-Mart

Filed under Energy, Videos by jtozer on January 13, 2013 at 7:06 am {no comments}

U.S. Naval Base Guam held a new energy-efficient mini-mart groundbreaking ceremony. In light of the Secretary of the Navy‘s energy goals, re-certification is the Navy‘s way of ensuring that its facilities maximize opportunities for energy savings.

“This is a brand new gas station mini-mart being built,” says Phil Harrison, District Vice President at Naval Exchange Guam.

“It’s going to be at least thirty percent more efficient as far as energy is concerned.”

Cold sodas, convenient gas pumps, and it’s all using energy more effectively. Check this out:

Video provided by the U.S. Navy’s YouTube Channel

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Saturday Space Sight: Curiosity Self-Portrait, Wide View

Filed under Photos, Space by jtozer on January 12, 2013 at 7:04 am {no comments}

On the 84th and 85th Martian days of the NASA Mars rover Curiosity’s mission on Mars (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2012), NASA’s Curiosity rover used the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) to capture dozens of high-resolution images to be combined into self-portrait images of the rover.

The mosaic shows the rover at “Rocknest,” the spot in Gale Crater where the mission’s first scoop sampling took place. Four scoop scars can be seen in the regolith in front of the rover. A fifth scoop was collected later.

Self-portraits like this one document the state of the rover and allow mission engineers to track changes over time, such as dust accumulation and wheel wear.

Due to its location on the end of the robotic arm, only MAHLI (among the rover’s 17 cameras) is able to image some parts of the craft, including the port-side wheels.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
From www.nasa.gov

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Communications and Sensing 2.0

Filed under Videos by jtozer on January 11, 2013 at 7:55 am {no comments}

For decades, researchers have to attempted better understand how data transfers and interacts with other environments, and how communication sources can be enhanced for the benefit of the warfighter. Current Air Force basic research pushes the boundaries of quantum physics and plasma chemistry, supporting designs for innovations in communications technology.

See how AFOSR is leading the way in supporting designs for innovations in communications technology:

Video provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Youtube Channel

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Follow Me, Robot

Filed under Robots, Videos by jtozer on January 10, 2013 at 7:14 am {no comments}

Working with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL), researchers from DARPA‘s LS3 program demonstrated new advances in the robot’s control, stability and maneuverability, including “Leader Follow“.

Watch this:

This includes decision making, enhanced roll recovery, exact foot placement over rough terrain, the ability to maneuver in an urban environment, and verbal command capability.

For more on this story, click here.

Information and video provided by DARPA

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The Navy’s Support Of Oceanic Research

Filed under Energy by jtozer on January 9, 2013 at 7:38 am {no comments}

An article that recently appeared in the New York Times discussed a project led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to analyze and map underwater sounds in the ocean and determine the locations and densities of marine mammals.

The U.S. Navy is a key contributor to this effort, in terms of funding as well as participation by our marine scientists. We see the project as a great start for managing ocean sound and understanding the effects, and hope to see it continue to grow with collaboration from other research-focused organizations.

Recognizing the complexity of the ocean issues, the wide range of species, and the diverse needs of the stakeholders involved, it is vital that the maps and data that result from this work be based on the best quality science.

Sonar Technician 2nd Class Richard Schnitz, from Filmore, Calif., stands watch in the sonar control room aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

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HAZMAT: Know The Facts

Filed under Education & Culture by jtozer on January 8, 2013 at 7:35 am {no comments}

Most jobs in the Navy, and onboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), require hazardous materials on a regular basis.

Hazardous material, or HAZMAT, causes harm to health or shipboard conditions if used improperly, accidentally spilled or deliberately mixed. The material’s chemical characteristics, concentration, quantity or physical traits determine its hazardous category.

Every HAZMAT user needs to be familiar with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) assigned to each item that contains the most current information from the manufacturer, including handling, precautions and clean-up procedures.

“Always have the same person that checked out the HAZMAT return it, and you must know exactly what kind of HAZMAT you’re returning,” said Chief Logistics Specialist William Taylor, HAZMAT environmental team leading chief petty officer. “The person checking it out may be the only one knowledgeable to handle the HAZMAT.”

Many types of HAZMAT can be checked out from ship’s HAZMAT Central, located in the starboard side of the hangar bay.

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Solar Panels Deliver New Energy To West Point’s Net Zero Initiative

Filed under Energy, STEM by jtozer on January 7, 2013 at 7:50 am {no comments}

The installation of solar panels on the roof of the Lichtenberg Tennis Center – 780 panels, to be exact – represents West Point‘s continuing efforts to achieve energy sustainability.

The installation of solar panels on top of the Lichtenberg Tennis Center has become a visible sign of progress in West Point’s Net Zero Energy goals. (Photo by Nicole Ciaramella, West Point DPW)

Since becoming a Net Zero Energy pilot installation last April, West Point has been making strides toward the ultimate goal of producing as much energy as it uses by 2020.

According to an environmental assessment for the U.S. Army Environmental Command and West Point Garrison, the installation currently generates less than .02 percent of the energy it consumes from renewable sources. Matt Talaber, Department of Public Works engineer and director, said the solar panels will be a step in the right direction.

“The solar panels are very visible and a very recognizable part of our renewable energy initiative that can immediately click with the general public,” Talaber said.

“It’s a positive image that shows West Point is interested in renewable energy and is working on its Net Zero energy goals.”

The work began Oct. 15 with minor roof repairs before the panels were attached to a metal rack system. When the wiring to the interior controls is completed, the photovoltaic technology will service approximately 50-60 percent of the building’s energy consumption annually.

The tennis center was an ideal location for the panels due to its southern exposure; lots of light and an uninterrupted rooftop, with no parking or other activity.

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‘BigBelly’ Devours Waste At Natick

Filed under Energy, STEM by jtozer on January 6, 2013 at 7:40 am {no comments}

Rich Valcourt checks on a “BigBelly” solar-powered waste disposal unit at Natick Soldier Systems Center, Mass. NSSC has 12 of the units positioned across the installation.

When it comes to devouring waste, the Natick Soldier Systems Center has found a hungry helper in the BigBelly Solar Intelligent Waste and Recycling Collection System.

Natick purchased 12 BigBelly units in August and distributed them around the 78-acre installation in October, to collect waste.

Ten of the self-sufficient units, which weigh 170 pounds and have 50-gallon waste bins each, are outside and powered by solar panels, compact waste independently and provide real-time data by satellite about their fill status. The other two, situated indoors, plug into electrical outlets.

The entire “smart” system is linked and can be monitored by desktop computer, allowing for efficient waste-removal operations.

“It tells me when it’s full, when it’s getting full, how many times it’s compacted,” said Rich Valcourt, an environmental engineer at Natick. “You save resources and time (and) dedicate your resources where they belong.”

When a unit goes yellow or red on his computer screen, Valcourt knows that its bin is either nearly or completely full. He then emails a crew to pick up waste just at that container.

“Time is everything. Time means money,” Valcourt explained. “Instead of spending (time) going around emptying all the containers on post, I can just tell them, ‘Go empty this one and this one.”’

In the past, crews operated with much less information.

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