Engineering Edge: August 2013

THE ENGINEERING EDGEEDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

Volume 5, Issue 8 August 2013

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

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

. .

A new Acquisition Classroom is now available for all Edgewood Chemical Biological Center and Team CBRNE employees, thanks to a grant from the Army’s Acquisition Support Center and teamwork between ECBC personnel. There were several individuals who worked together toward this vision of having a space to complete computer-based training, including: Deb Prue, ECBC Training Coordinator and Bill Klein, ECBC Engineering Associate Director, with the help of Skip Yust, Troy Neville and then-Engineering Executive Officer Todd Nay.To officially open the new space that was completed in June 2013, the Directorate hosted a ribbon cutting on 10 July. Roughly 20 ECBC employees gathered for the event, including Tom Evans, the Workforce Management Chief of the Army Acquisition Support Center, Kim Gibbons and Brian Cole, both Acquisition Career Managers from Army Acquisition Support Center. Evans made the official ribbon cut to open the classroom.

ECBC Develops Low-Cost Next Generation Biological DetectorTAC-BIO II reduces cost, size and power usage of previous generation detector

ECBC Engineering Earns Grant for Defense Acquisition University Training Classroom Space to be made available for all Team CBRNE members

Accurately identifying biological threats in order to safeguard U.S. soldiers against them is a capability the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) has provided the national defense community for years. Now, the Center has developed a next generation tactical biological (TAC-BIO II) detector that reduces technology costs, saves production time and uses a power source that is more energy efficient.The TAC-BIO II detector costs 80 percent less and weighs three times less than its predecessor, which was licensed to General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products in 2009 and to Research International, Inc. in 2010. Since then, ECBC and these organizations have collaborated through a patent licensing agreement, a cooperative research and development agreement and a partnership intermediary agreement. Such technology transfer mechanisms partnered ECBC expertise and facilities with industry technology to further develop the original TAC-BIO prototype into a next generational chemical detector that is weatherproof and uses advanced detection algorithms to reduce false alarms.

With funding from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ECBC was able to produce the TAC-BIO II for just $2,000. New features include deeper UV light sources developed by DAPRA that allow the detector to identify lower concentrations and smaller aerosol particles.

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AJay Thornton, Director of ECBC Engineering Directorate (right), and Tom Evans, Workforce Management Chief of the Army Acquisition Support Center cut the ribbon to the new Acquisition Training Classroom located in ECBC’s Berger Building.

The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center has partnered across Directorates to create a tactial biological detector that reduces costs, saves production time and uses a power source that is more energy efficient.

http://www.ecbc.army.mil/news/ENG/


2 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER2 | EDGEWOOD CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL CENTER

This newsletter was published through the Balanced Scorecard.

For article suggestions, questions or comments please contact Ed Bowen at [email protected]

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE:

Awareness: National Immunization MonthAugust is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). NIAM highlights the importance of immunization throughout all stages of life. Throughout the month of August, state and local public health departments across the country will be promoting the importance of back-to-school immunizations for children, college students and adults. NIAM activities are being coordinated by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.Each week in August will be devoted to educating a specific stakeholder group. The weekly schedule is below:• Week 1: Back to school (children)• Week 2: Off to college (young adults)• Week 3: Not just for kids (adults)• Week 4: A healthy start (babies & pregnant women)For more information about National Immunization Month in Maryland, visit http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/SitePages/Home.aspx.

pg.1,8|ECBC Engineering Earns Grant for Defense Acquisition University Training Classroom

pg.1,7|ECBC Develops Low-Cost Next Generation Biological Detector

pg.3|Navigating Through the Directorate’s Strategy

pg.4-5|ECBC Engineers Modify Decontamination Methods to Save Costs, Increase Accuracy

pg.6|Collaborative Engineering Efforts Result in Successful Product Verification Tests for Product Manager Force Protection Systems

pg.8|The Engineering Edge Thanks You!

Ask a Tech Tip: Insect Repellant SafetyMike Kauzlarich, of the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, reveals how the techniques and lessons learned in labs can help you solve your household problems. Submit a question to him at [email protected].

It’s that time of year where not only are we outside, but so are the bugs! With the prevalence of very serious tick and mosquito diseases, the use of insect repellents should be a part of your outdoor activities.Although there are many different types of insect repellents on the market, the majority of them use DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as the active ingredient. DEET is very effective, but please read the label before applying, especially to children.There has been some concern about the use of repellents on children, so if you’re buying repellent for children, reading those labels is especially important. If you are concerned about using repellent products on children, you may wish to consult a health care provider for advice or contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) through their toll-free number, 1-800-858-7378 or npic.orst.edu.

mailto:ed.bowen8.civ%40mail.mil?subject=Article%20Suggestion%2C%20Question%2C%20or%20Comment

mailto:edward.c.bowen8.civ%40mail.mil?subject=Suggestion

http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/SitePages/Home.aspx

mailto:usarmy.APG.ecbc.mbx.engineering-directorate%40mail.mil?subject=Ask%20a%20Tech%20Tip

http://www.npic.orst.edu

THE ENGINEERING EDGE |August 2013| 3


Did you miss June’s Strategic Management Meeting? Check out below for quick descriptions of the initiatives and where they fall on the Directorate’s Strategy Map.

NAVIGATING THROUGH THE DIRECTORATE’S STRATEGY

IP11 Retain Knowledge and Expertise Relevant to Core CompetenciesThis initiative focuses on retaining knowledge after key individuals retire. It is an expansion of the IP10 Knowledge Management InitiativePOC: John Wheeler, Jim Duhala

IP10 Establish a Knowledge Management ProgramThe initiative focuses on transferring hard copy historical documents to an electronic database on SharePoint. POC: Mike Brown

Employee Growth & Enrichment through Total Skill PerformanceThis initiative focuses on creating opportunities for employee growth and knowledge expansion. POC: Gyleen Fitzgerald

Develop Engineering Directorate Annual Business Plan/Foster External RelationshipsThis initiative focuses on documenting and executing a Directorate business development process including managing the Directorate’s pipeline and Train the Trainer Business Development Course.POC: Humberto Galarraga, Kevin Lee, Lester Strauch

Develop Engineering Directorate Annual Business Plan/Foster External RelationshipsThis initiative focuses on documenting and executing a Directorate business development process including managing the Directorate’s pipeline and Train the Trainer Business Development Course.POC: Humberto Galarraga, Kevin Lee, Lester Strauch

Develop/Implement a Directorate Communications Plan for External AudiencesThe initiative focuses on expanding knowledge of ECBC Engineering’s mission, vision and capabilities to external audiences. POC: Jim Duhala, Eugene Vickers

Develop Responsive Customer Service StandardsThe initiative focuses on developing and executing a deliberate plan and approach to keep current customers and attract new customers.POC: Bill Lake, Jorge Christian, Mike McKenna

Develop a Human Capital StrategyThis initiative focuses on supporting the Center-level Goal 1 to grow and develop the workforce to ensure the continued competencies of the organization. POC: John Kerch, John Wheeler

Modernize Infrastructure toAlign with Emerging Needs This initiative focuses on formulating an infrastructure investment strategy for the Directorate. POC: Eugene Vickers, Jorge Christian

The initiatives support numerous strategic objectives on Engineering’s Strategy Map. Furthermore, they are all critical steps in the process of becoming a ‘Strategy-focused Organization’, capable of executing its mission and achieving the vision of being “the �rst stop for C/B Defense Solutions”.




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ECBC Engineers Modify Decontamination Methods to Save Costs, Increase AccuracyWith team members located in both Edgewood and Rock Island, the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center’s Decontamination Engineering Branch, under Sustainment Engineering Division Chief John Kerch operates as one team revolutionizing Warfighter chemical and biological decontamination efforts. “Our motto is one team two locations,” said Jim Burns, an engineer within the Decontamination Engineering Branch. The Branch consists of five engineers working at ECBC Rock Island and eight engineers working out of Edgewood, MD. Together, the team has supported several Army organizations including TACOM-LCMC, Defense Logistics Agency, JPM-Protection and others. The team has recently worked together to support three decontamination projects aimed at improving the effectiveness and supportability of current decontamination methods, saving money for the Army in the long run. These projects are the Mass Casualty Decontamination Limited Objective Experiment for the M26, the M100 Shelf Life Study, and updates to the M12A1 Super Tropical Bleach mixing procedures.

Mass Casualty Decontamination Limited Objective ExperimentThe Mass Casualty Decontamination Limited Objective Experiment (MCD LOE) is a project managed by the Joint Experimentation and Analysis Division (JEAD), a part of the Joint Requirements Office, in support of several organizations. The project is an experiment to evaluate several configurations, both Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) and Organic, and assess their relative ability to support MCD mission requirements, such as providing water to shower stations for ambulatory and non-ambulatory decontamination situations.

“Currently the Army uses commercial systems such as the Reeves Decontamination Equipment and TVI Decontamination equipment,” said Joe Grodecki, a Rock Island engineer with the Decontamination Engineering Branch. “We are trying to do a couple of water tests to see if they could use an Army system such as the M26 small-scale decontamination apparatus instead.” Grodecki explained that using the M26 could be cheaper for the Army than their current systems, because the Army already owns M26 systems. These systems are also easily maintained since the users are already trained on the equipment and logistics support is already in place. Currently the group is in the initial phases of the evaluation. ECBC is supporting the JEAD by managing the LOE, designing the experiment and leading the execution of the experiment. “Jim and I are working with Paul Tady, also from the Decontamination Engineering Branch to conduct testing to support a Cost/Benefit Analysis and feed valuable data to the community. Depending on the outcome, this project could be transitioned into a Program of Record,” said Grodecki.

The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center’s Decontamination Engineering Branch is working to increase the effectiveness and ease of several decontamination methods such as (from left to right) the shelf life of the M100, improving decon water systems and clarifying specifications of Super Tropical Bleach.

ECBC engineers are working to provide shower stations to Army vehicles such as the M26.



ECBC Engineers Modify Decontamination Methods to Save Costs, Increase Accuracy

M100 Shelf Life Study

The M100 Shelf Life Study is an experiment to extend the shelf life of the M100 Sorbent Decontamination System. The M100 uses a sorbent powder for immediate decontamination, specifically, the removal of gross liquid contamination from frequently touched surfaces. Currently, the M100 has a shelf life of 10 years before it must be disposed of and replaced, but the Decon Engineering Branch is working to make that a bit longer. “We’ve been working with TACOM to extend the M100 shelf life up to 15 years,” Burns said. The team plans on testing select M100s every year from 10 to 15 years of life. “If we could continue to increase the shelf life of this product by 50 percent, it can save the Army a lot of money in the long run on replacement and shipping costs.”

Supertropical BleachThe use of Super Tropical Bleach (STB) has been a military decontamination method for decades. STB is a mixture of a several different chemicals and is used in several decontamination applications, to include decontamination of larger areas like vehicles and terrain. When applied using the M12A1 Decontamination Apparatus, STB is mixed into the hopper of the M12 Decontamination apparatus and disseminated using spray attachments. It was noted that the current mixing methods led to some issues such as foaming of the decontaminant, so the group sought to improve these methods. The team looked at a multitude of factors that influence the ease of STB mixing including water temperature and antifoaming agent. “We were able to improve procedures within the M12 technical manual to help make the STB mixing process easier on the warfighter,” Burns said. The results of the team’s testing is being reflected in the M12 tech manuals, and a special message was also sent to users in the field providing interim guidance to smooth STB mixing operations.

The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center’s Decontamination Engineering Branch is working on an experiment to extend the shelf life of the M100.





Eighteen lights pierced the night sky as the High Mobility

Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) roared past the nine motion detection modules for its final intrusion pass. Sighs of relief were visible in the below-freezing air. The Lighting Kit Motion Detector (LKMD) system had passed the probability of detection test for vehicular intrusions, concluding the month-long intensive set of Product Verification Tests (PVT). The Test, Reliability Evaluation Branch (TREB) personnel endured long hours, through harsh weather, to ensure that these systems met the requirements and would ultimately be a valuable asset to soldiers in the field. TREB surpassed their client’s expectations in 2013, when they stepped out of their traditional Chemical Biological (ChemBio) testing capabilities to provide PVT on the LKMD systems. “This was an opportunity to allow my personnel to apply their already present skills in a different and challenging arena,” said Do Nguyen, TREB Chief. The LKMD system is a compact, sensor-based early warning system providing responses of illumination and sound alarms. The soldiers need the systems to protect and keep secure perimeters established during combat, as the audible and visual alarms allow the soldiers to adequately prepare for enemy intruders in their surrounding area. TREB’s close working relationship with the LKMD Product Manager-Force Protection Systems (PDM-FPS) initially began when TREB conducted production qualification testing during the developmental stage of the life cycle. TREB’s outstanding Test and Evaluation (T&E) support led to the PM’s decision to delegate TREB to conduct PVT. Under the direction and detail planning of MAJ Tydingco and leadership from the PM, the working relationship grew, as TREB provided fielding support for all LKMD production systems and PVT was prepared and conducted, starting November 2012 and lasting through March 2013.The purpose of conducting PVT was to ensure that all the Key Performance Parameters (KPP) were met in support of the Full Rate Production Systems, Milestone C Decision of the Acquisition Life Cycle. “Protecting our Warfighters and providing them with the

most reliable equipment is the ultimate goal,” said Steve Marshall, TREB’s Reliability & System Performance Evaluation Team lead. All personnel involved assisted with the establishment of the second production contract for the testing of these detection systems. “This contract assisted the LKMD program in moving closer to meeting the acquisition requirement of fulfilling the soldiers’ need of this vital component of force protection.” said Daniel O’Neill, TREB engineer.Personnel worked many days and nights, including outdoor reliability testing at ECBC’s M-Field test site where harsh weather conditions, such as rain, high winds, snow, and cold temperatures were in full force. While conducting intrusions (walk tests) during reliability testing, personnel encountered 15 degree Fahrenheit wind chills. Testers also experienced an exhilarating adrenaline rush during vehicular intrusion tests, when dirt bike motions set off the LKMD system’s early warning sensors. The PVT process gave all involved a full understanding of the LKMD systems’ capabilities and how these systems would be an asset to the soldier in the field.The Product Manager received the critical test data needed to prepare the LKMD systems for full rate production. Through hard work and dedication from all ECBC team members, testing concluded early, allowing the program to move forward with production ahead of the test schedule. “After successfully challenging the LKMD systems in a series of rigorous reliability tests, TREB feels confident that these systems can be handed off to our soldiers without compromising their operations,” said Marshall. TREB also benefited from the completion of PVT and was able to expand its capabilities in the process. Not only did TREB’s personnel get opportunities to advance in verification testing, but TREB gained extensive experience and expertise in preparation and setup with the latest technology. Ultimately, this will open up new test opportunities in the future for TREB to partner among ECBC branches and other organizations.The success of this project would not have been possible without

While testing the Lighting Kit Motion Detector system, testers experienced an exhilarating adrenaline rush during vehicular intrusion tests, when dirt bike motions set off the LKMD system’s early warning sensors.

Lighting Kit Motion Detector Systems protect and keep secure perimeters established during combat, as the audible and visual alarms allow the soldiers to adequately prepare for enemy intruders in their surrounding area.

Collaborative Engineering Efforts Result in Successful Product Verification Tests for Product Manager Force Protection Systems

THE ENGINEERING EDGE | July 2013| 7


the assistance of another ECBC test branch. TREB collaborated with the Environmental Field Test Branch (EFTB) and received outstanding and professional assistance from EFTB who conducted environmental testing, such as blowing rain and drop tests on the LKMD systems. This LKMD testing provided TREB and EFTB the opportunity to further develop both a long-term partnership and friendship that will enable the two teams to effectively collaborate in the future. Both the PM and the contractor expressed their thanks to TREB and EFTB for providing such a pleasant and dedicated working environment. The PM displayed their appreciation for PVT during an open invitation luncheon at the PDM-FPS headquarters, Fort Belvoir in Virginia, where LTC Lackovic and MAJ Tydingco recognized all test personnel for their efforts. As Nguyen said, “My team and other personnel from EFTB demonstrated hard work ethic and it showed, as we all worked well together, and pulled through to complete this effort. I’m very proud of what we have accomplished and appreciate the opportunity to further develop our capabilities. We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to all programs and the Product Manager-Force Protection Systems.”

ECBC develops low-cost next generation biological detectorCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

This capability is built from the original TAC-BIO prototype, which used DARPA’s revolutionary Semiconductor Ultraviolet Optical Sources (SUVOS) and unique front-end assembly with a novel airflow system to pull air into the detector where a light illuminates, or fluoresces, if an agent is present.ECBC’s state-of-the-art machine shop worked closely with the comprehensive TAC-BIO II team to create new working parts for the detector. ECBC was able to dramatically reduce the overall weight of the product by inserting plastic-coated aluminum mirrors that replaced the heavy metal ones previously used. The lighter parts were produced on an injection molding machine, which heats pellets and granules of plastic into a molten form before injecting it into a mold. Once it is cooled to proper temperatures, the mold opens and ejects the finished part.“The process is similar to squeezing play dough through the forming shapes when you were a kid, but much more sophisticated. The molds were made here in our shop and have been shot over 700 times,” said Richard Kreis, an ECBC senior engineering technician within Engineering’s Advanced Design and Manufacturing Division.“What we are able to do here at ECBC is unique. We collaborated closely with our engineering team and fine-tuned these pieces as we went to perfect them. No other Army laboratory has this capability onsite,” Kreis said.The TAC-BIO II continues to be developed at ECBC. It is scheduled to be demonstrated in the fall of 2013. As part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, the Center shares the vision of becoming the premier source of integrated solutions that empower the national defense community and protect the Warfighter against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives threats. “A network of TAC-BIOs could work as an early detection system against a biological attack,” said Aime Goad, ECBC engineer. “The TAC-BIO is so light and affordable that units can be sent into the field for troops to place on vehicles in forward units.”Goad was part of original TAC-BIO team, which was led by ECBC chemist David Sickenberger, who was determined to build a lighter, low-cost biological detector that would be an affordable means to accurate detect a biological agent attack. Sickenberger retired last year after 31 years of federal service, but Goad and the TAC-BIO II team have continued to develop the technology that may also prove beneficial outside of the military realm. First responders and hospitals may someday be able to treat a person suffering from an unknown illness in their ambulance or emergency room with the help of a TAC-BIO II detector that could alert emergency personnel to don personnel protective equipment to prevent exposure while treating the patient. The detectors could also be used in school systems to alert students, teachers and faculty to a potential threat and give them enough time to seek a safe place outside of a dangerous environment.

The Lighting Kit Motion Detector system is a compact, sensor-based early warning system providing responses of illumination and sound alarms. This helps protect and keeps secure perimeters for the Warfighter.






The Engineering Edge Thanks You!

The Acquisition Classroom provides a space where appropriate personnel can take online courses from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). These courses are necessary for earning DAU certification, which is mandatory for most engineers. As a training professional, Prue browsed through the DAU site and tried to take one of the courses. “I sat down at my desk one day and tried to complete a course, and it seemed near impossible,” Prue said. “There were constant interruptions from my day-to-day work: emails, phone calls, and people coming in. I figured if I had problems focusing on this course, it must be worse for the engineers who need to take this for their careers.” Since the majority of ECBC employees who have to take the course are within the Engineering Directorate, Prue approached Bill Klein, Associate Director of Engineering, to brainstorm some options for making the DAU training efficient, and effective. “Bill was interested in finding a way to ease these courses for our engineers as well, so we joined forces,” Prue said. Klein and Prue worked together to identify the A52 grant available through the Army Acquisition Support Center, and submitted an application in May 2012. It was their first time

ECBC Engineering Earns Grant for DAU Training Classroom CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

using this avenue to request funds, so the two felt there were only benefits to trying this process. “We figured if we didn’t get the grant then life will go on, but it was worth a chance, so we went for it,” Prue said. Prue and Klein worked on a spend plan for the requested funds and submitted it to the Acquisition Support Center. Several months later, in October 2012, the application was approved, and the funding was provided.“Bill was instrumental in helping us find this quiet training space,” Prue said. “I hope that it gets utilized, because it’s here to help.” With a team moving out of their space and as one of the primary locations for the Engineering Directorate, renovations kicked off for a space in Berger Building, in November 2012. The room is equipped with new flooring, new painting and, most importantly, eight computer workstations and a printer. The room will be open daily from 0800 to 1500 for use. “This room is an excellent asset to ECBC and to Team CBRNE,” said AJay Thornton, Director of ECBC Engineering at the ribbon cutting. “This is a good thing that we were able to do and I’m glad the funding was able to come through to get this accomplished.”

The Engineering Edge would like to thank all of the newsletter’s contributors from the past year. Your insights and willingness to share information about your projects is essential to the Directorate’s success. Thanks to all of our contributors from the past year: Mike Allerton, Dan Barker, Edward Bowen, Debbie Brooks-Harris, Phyllis Brown, Jim Burns, Debbie Cantemirey, Greg Carter, Doug Celmer, Dora Chang, John Clayton, Sandy Cormack, Angel Cruz, Kerrin Dame, Joseph Domanico, Sven Fiebing, Rod Fry, Shawn Funk, Humberto Galarraga, Lamar Garrett, Jim Genovese, Ryan Gilley, Doretha Green, Jonathan Grezika, Sabre Harper, Robin Haupt, Lester Hitch, Jeff Hofman, Tom Hughes, Jarell Johnson, Mike Kauzlarich, Elan Kazam, Don Kilduff, William Lake, Cindy Learn, David Love, Brian Maciver, Karyn Merson, Bob Miller, Audrey Moberly, Rick Moore, Nichole Mortin, Chika Nzelibe, Kwok Ong, Robert Pazda, Ron Pojunas, Carrie Poore, Brad Ruphrecht, Jonathan Sampson, Lisa Smagala, Jeff Smart, Lester Strauch, Eugene Vickers, Dave Vincitore, Kevin Wallace, Rich Wallace, Jeff Warwick, Trish Weiss, Myat Win, Connie Wolf, and Mandi Yocum.

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Engineering Edge: August 2013