Power of ERDC

On the modern battlefield, supplying essential power and water in austere environments is a major logistical challenge. The effort to quickly develop and deploy essential technologies to provide these “liquid logistics” is at the forefront of several ERDC research programs and projects. Leading that effort are the world-class research teams at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL). Leveraging the laboratory’s unique capabilities and facilities, these teams are accelerating the development, testing and deployment of transformative technologies.  Their work is reshaping the logistical landscape for our military, while enhancing Soldier safety and the ability of U.S. forces to operate and dominate in any environment. Dr. Andy Nelson, director of CERL, provides a high-level perspective on the operational energy and water programs currently underway.  In the discussion, he explains operational energy and water (1:33), how CERL became a world-leader in these research areas (3:34), and how some of CERL’s unique facilities provide critical Soldier touchpoints for new technologies (7:41). He also covers how interconnected water and energy are in combat environments (9:55) and why there is a strong push for these critical solutions now (11:39). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/53-Liquid-Logistics_video.

Mike Forte, a research physical scientist at ERDC’s Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, North Carolina, calls himself and his team “custodians” of the data continuously collected at the research facility. The team’s care for the data, collection methods and validation and preparation efforts have made this data a national treasure. Decades of data sets from constant observation of the coastline through sensors, cameras, surveys and more have shaped and advanced coastal engineering, supported the development of new ocean and storm models, and given our military a decisive edge in coastal, littoral and amphibious operations. Forte pulls back the curtain on the scope of the facility’s data collection, the partnerships with national and global research organizations, and the effort to document and best tell the scientific stories of massive storms along our nation’s Atlantic Coast. Topics discussed include how the team responded to and captured data from a record-setting nor’easter in January (02:16); the FRF’s suite of data collection techniques and technologies for capturing coastal processes (5:14); and the critical role the facility’s unique pier plays in collecting, validating and verifying that data (9:22). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/52-FRF-data-is-a-national-treasure_video. You can also see additional resources at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/52-FRF-data-is-a-national-treasure_resources.

Preparing the Army to solve tomorrow’s challenges is an incredibly complex endeavor. For ERDC researchers striving to provide answers to questions that aren’t yet known, gaming techniques have proven to be a useful tool. Gamification provides a method to digest vast information into usable outcomes with infinite possibilities, while also collaborating with and learning from other subject matter experts. We explore how ERDC research is strengthened by gaming techniques combined with nearly a century of engineering and scientific expertise. Our guests are Dr. Mihan House McKenna Taylor, Josh Church and Jared Brock. Taylor is Army Senior Research Scientist for Near Surface Phenomenology; Church leads the Scientific Software Branch at ERDC’s Information Technology Laboratory (ITL); and Brock is a computer scientist in ITL’s Scientific Software Branch. Topics include ERDC’s experience in using gaming and game theory to help build out capabilities and support the Army mission (4:05), what makes gamification an effective method to plan for unknown future scenarios (11:53) and the unique capabilities ERDC offers in this space (15:29). We also discuss how gaming techniques can help inform future acquisitions and lead to better investments (18:34), how they can improve the development of new technology (23:58) and how Artificial Intelligence can change the way these strategic exercises are conducted (28:51). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/51-gaming-the-future_video. You can also see additional resources at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/51-gaming-the-future_resources.

ERDC researchers recently discovered 26 new species of microorganisms frozen in permafrost that was approximately 40,000 years old. Studying the properties of these new species could unlock capabilities with the potential to support U.S. military operations in extreme cold regions. We discuss this discovery with Dr. Robyn Barbato, a senior research microbiologist and the leader of the soil microbiology team at the ERDC Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Topics include how studying microorganisms and finding new species can help the U.S. Army (1:20), potential technologies or applications that could emerge from this research (4:20) and how the team made its discovery (8:00). We also talk about the unique process for extracting these samples (13:01), Barbato’s work on a U.S. Department of War community of interest that examines biotechnology (21:33) and the capabilities offered by ERDC’s ICE COLD library of permafrost microbes (29:18). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/50-permafrost-microorganisms_video. You can also see additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/50-permafrost-microorganisms_resources.

Even in the age of supercomputing, engineers still demand tangible models to fully understand the complex interaction between coastal infrastructure and dynamic ocean forces. ERDC has nearly a century of expertise in building scaled representations of real-world systems and testing them to evaluate civil works and military project designs. We discuss ERDC’s coastal physical modeling capabilities with Dr. Duncan Bryant, a senior research hydraulic engineer with ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. Topics include the need for physical modeling and its role alongside other coastal engineering tools (4:05), how ERDC improves Joint Force readiness by testing ship-to-shore logistics (8:24) and how models help engineers design better coastal defenses for improved resilience (12:00). We also discuss how ERDC’s facilities (16:20), capabilities (23:26) and master craftsmen (21:28) enable this work; how it is collaborating with industry and academia (26:50); and how ERDC is working to solve tomorrow’s coastal challenges (28:25). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/49-coastal-physical-modeling_video. You can also see additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/49-coastal-physical-modeling_resources.

Built on Automatic Identification System vessel broadcasts and supported by a nationwide network of fixed receiver sites and mobile trailer deployments, the Lock Operations Management Application (LOMA) helps lock operators and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts better understand vessel traffic, anticipate delays and communicate changing conditions to mariners. Dr. Marin Kress of ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory explains how LOMA provides real-time situational awareness across the nation’s inland waterways. Topics include what LOMA is and why it’s more than “just locks” (:48), how AIS works and what the system receives (2:51), and why mobile trailers matter (4:29). We also discuss a success story involving emergency shoaling response and virtual ATONs (5:45); the impact of lock reliability and traffic awareness (13:38); partnerships that power LOMA (14:43); and what’s next in R&D, including weather and water condition sensing (18:00). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/48-LOMA_video. Explore additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/48-LOMA_resources.

What if a tool designed for combat could become a lifeline in the wake of natural disasters? The Battlefield Damage Assessment Tool, a system that provides rapid analysis in combat environments, has been deployed to help first responders allocate key resources more efficiently following wildfires and hurricanes. We discuss the technology and its development with ERDC’s Nikki Wayant and Charlotte Ellison, researchers from the Geospatial Research Laboratory. Topics include how the technology was first used by emergency officials following the 2023 Hawaii wildfires (2:52), how the information helps emergency management officials (5:42), and some of the key data sources the system uses to provide its assessment (7:30). We also discuss how the team’s interdisciplinary makeup enabled a better product (14:35), the tool’s future capabilities (16:28), and the team being named an Innovation of the Year in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (19:58). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/47-battlefield-damage-assessment_video.

We are exploring a pair of unsung teams whose efforts magnify ERDC’s research capabilities. That includes three fabrication shops where master craftsmen – welders, machinists and model makers – turn research concepts into a tangible reality. Meanwhile, ERDC’s Directorate of Public Works, or DPW, is responsible for maintaining the organization’s facilities and infrastructure – including the massive demands for power and water to accommodate large-scale research projects. Together, these teams enable ERDC to execute world-class R&D. Joining us to discuss these unique capabilities are ERDC DPW chief Jonathan Howell and Zach Smith, program manager of ERDC’s R&D fabrication group. Topics include the types of projects supported by ERDC’s master craftsmen (4:25), the unique infrastructure and utility demands at an R&D organization (10:40), and the capabilities found on both teams (19:27). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/46-building-capacity-discovery_video. You can also see additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/46-building-capacity-discovery_resources.

Bird strikes are a persistent and costly threat to aviation safety. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 13,000 strikes are reported in the U.S. each year, costing hundreds of millions in damages and endangering both civilian and military aircraft. We are joined by ERDC’s Dr. Jake Jung and Dr. Brian Washburn with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – both research wildlife biologists – to discuss how these two organizations are working to develop innovative tools and techniques to address this complex problem. Among the innovations discussed is the “robot coyote,” a ground-based drone that has shown tremendous potential in helping manage the vast spaces of civilian and military airfields, keeping people and aircraft safe. During this episode, we explore the natural factors that attract birds and other wildlife to airfields (1:34), current techniques and technologies being used to deter them (3:52), and the genesis for the idea that led to the development of the Robot Coyote system (09:16). We also discuss early prototypes and testing of the system (14:03), how the platforms could be deployed on military and civilian airfields across the country (17:29), what capabilities the upgraded version of the Robot Coyotes may have (25:21), and how the story of the Robot Coyotes became a viral sensation during the summer of 2025 (32:01). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/45-robot-coyote_video. You can also see additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/45-robot-coyote_resources.

Combat engineers perform some of the military’s most dangerous duties, from breaching obstacles and clearing minefields to constructing front-line defensive positions while under enemy assault. ERDC’s Robotics for Engineer Operations – or REO – program is helping them do so safely. REO develops robotic capabilities that allow combat engineers to operate from safe standoff distances. These wide-ranging autonomous and teleoperated systems reduce risk while also multiplying force capacity and providing autonomous reconnaissance. We discuss REO with Dr. Ahmet Soylemezoglu, systems engineer at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory and REO project lead. Topics include how REO began and its evolution (1:05), the challenges of incorporating autonomy in a combat environment (11:43) and how the effort benefits from the diverse skillsets of its team members (14:58). We also talk about industry and academic partnerships (20:48), lessons learned from field demonstrations (24:48), emergency response applications (28:31) and efforts to incorporate multi-machine teaming (31:52). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/44-REO_video. You can also see additional resources at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/44-REO_resources. For inquiries about REO, email [email protected].

When most people think about the military being ready for the fight, they picture aircraft and vehicles, not the pavements beneath them. We talk with Dr. Jeremy Stache, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, about why pavement science is essential to military mobility and power projection. Topics include the direct connection between pavement science and Army mobility (:52), the shift to mechanics-based models for pavement design (9:25), and the ability to model buried structures and risk (11:10). We also discuss how the research translates into helping commanders understand whether a runway is safe to use (17:43), how it supported the Army 250th Birthday parade (19:53), and how sensors and artificial intelligence will support next-generation decision making (24:51). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/43-pavement-research_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/43-pavement-research_resources.

Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction. Today, AI is powering critical processes across the Department of War and serving as a force multiplier throughout the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ military and civil works portfolios. In this episode of the Power of ERDC podcast, Dr. Robert Moser, director of ERDC’s Information Technology Laboratory, discusses how ERDC is developing AI tools, techniques and technologies into tangible, mission-ready solutions for the nation. Moser also provides an inside look at AI in action — from practical applications like the AI model Jobsite Assisted Quality Intelligence, or JAQI, used for construction management to the visionary concept of an “AI wingman” for the modern Warfighter. Watch the video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/42-artificial-intelligence_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/42-artifical-intelligence_resources.

George Blaisdell’s career is one for the record books. His contributions to engineering in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments are legendary, but for a man with more than 30 trips to Antarctica, the work is far from over. Today’s guest is Blaisdell, a research civil engineer with ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. We discuss the importance of a constant engineering and research presence in the Antarctic and Blaisdell’s lasting impact on that continent through a variety of leadership roles for ERDC and the National Science Foundation. Among his many recognitions, Blaisdell was recently accepted into the prestigious Explorers Club, whose members include Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the first to reach the top of Mount Everest, and Neil Armstrong, the first to walk on the moon. Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/41-antarctic-expertise_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/41-antarctic-expertise_resources.

Dr. Gaurav Savant, Senior Scientific Technical Manager at the ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, discusses how ERDC is transforming military and civil operations through advanced modeling, AI and autonomous systems. From ensuring safe wet gap crossings for Warfighters to revolutionizing water resource management, these innovations are reshaping the future of defense and engineering. Topics include Savant’s role as a Fulbright Specialist and how that program fosters global collaboration (:42), the ConAer project for expeditionary logistics and last-mile tactical delivery (4:29), and technologies that enhance safety and effectiveness in wet gap crossings (11:44). We also talk about ERDC’s role in developing autonomous resupply and low-profile vessels (14:45), the evolving role computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays with AI and quantum computing (17:35), and how industry and academic collaborations are driving innovation (22:04). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/40-engineering-waters-edge_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/40-engineering-waters-edge_resources.

Forests cover nearly a third of the Earth’s land surface and present multiple challenges to military forces. Dense trees restrict mobility, limit surveillance, impede air support and degrade communication. But not all forests are the same. To best counter these difficulties, leaders need detailed information about vegetation attributes, such as canopy cover, stem diameter and stem spacing. However, the available data for much of the planet’s forested regions is limited in coverage or detail, or both. To fill this gap, ERDC developed the Global Forest Modeling Toolkit, which supports the Warfighter with mission-critical intelligence about vegetation around the world. We discuss this toolkit with Dr. Nathan Beane, a senior research forester at ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory and lead of ERDC’s Forest Ecosystem Dynamics team. Topics include why the military needs vegetation data (3:55), what the Global Forest Modeling Toolkit is (1:44) and how the team built the capacity to estimate vegetation across the Earth (5:17). We also talked about converting the data into information that is useful for the Warfighter (12:35), how the toolkit can help the Army with environmental sensing and vehicle autonomy (14:02), and lessons learned from having Warfighters use the toolkit (21:10). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/39-global-forest-modeling_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/39-global-forest-modeling_resources.

Roughly the distance from New York to Miami – or 1,806 miles. That’s how far a vehicle, developed in part by ERDC, drove on one tank of hydrogen fuel to not only set a mark honored by the Guinness Book of World Records, but also to advance new and existing hydrogen-powered technologies. In this episode, we discuss the development, testing and performance of the H2Rescue vehicle with Nick Josefik, an industrial engineer at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory. We also talk about the impact it can have in supporting emergency response efforts to natural and man-made disasters. Created to address many of the logistical challenges involved in any response, the H2Rescue vehicle – a 33,000-pound power plant on wheels – went from idea to reality in a few short years, becoming a world-class example of what power-providing emergency systems – powered by hydrogen – can deliver. Topics include the idea and mission behind the development of the H2Rescue Vehicle (02:39), details on the amount of power the vehicle can generate (04:37) and how this vehicle’s capabilities best fit in an emergency response scenario (05:59). We also discuss why hydrogen was the fuel of choice in the vehicle’s development (07:55); the federal, military and industry partners who worked together on the vehicle (11:21); and the behind-the-scenes details on how the team earned Guiness Book of World Records recognition (18:08). Watch the video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/38-h2-rescue-vehicle_video. For additional information, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/38-h2-rescue-vehicle_resources.

When the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing needed to find a suitable location to land its massive LC-130 Hercules cargo plane during an Arctic exercise in March 2025, it turned to ERDC for help. Although the nearby sea ice was not thick enough to support the maneuver, ERDC devised a plan to land the plane on a nearby freshwater lake, a novel approach that required less ice. Leaning into ERDC’s deep expertise in developing ice and snow runways, the 109th completed the landing at Parsons Lake in Canda’s Northwest Territories – the first time the U.S. military has landed an LC-130 on a frozen freshwater surface. We discuss this feat with T.J. Melendy, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Topics include Melendy’s experience with ice and snow runways (5:02), how the idea to land on a freshwater lake originated (11:44) and the differences between freshwater ice and saltwater ice (3:53). We also discussed the process of testing the potential freshwater ice landing (13:30), why this achievement was significant for the U.S. military (24:20) and what is next for this effort (27:01). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/37-lc130-landing_video. For additional information, including photos from the landing, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/37-lc130-landing_resources.

For several sweltering weeks along the North Carolina coastline, an ERDC teampushed a quadruped robot with a suite of advanced sensors to its limit to test its abilityto conduct critical beach landscape surveys. The research – known as the SandHound Project – is working to validate whether thequadruped can operate at all levels of the coastal landscape and collect critical data thatone day can support emergency response and military landing operations. We visit with Jacob Stasiewicz, a master’s student at the University of Delaware whohas worked with ERDC for the past two years, to discuss the technology, its capabilitiesand its future impact on advancing coastal engineering and sciences. Topics discussed include the genesis behind the SandHound Project and early lessonslearned (5:22); the experience of testing this robot platform on a busy, public beach(7:18); and the future of this type of system for use across the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers and emergency management operations (10:14). We also discussed thetypes of sensors that were deployed during testing and their capabilities (12:07), thecapabilities and the expertise of ERDC’s Field Research Facility where the testing wasconducted (15:54), and the future of robotic platforms in further supporting andadvancing costal engineering and sciences (22:11). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/36-sandhound_video. For additional resources about the SandHound Project, visitPowerofERDCpodcast.org/36-sandhound_resources.

ERDCWERX and ERDC’s Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT) are accelerating innovation for the Warfighter and the nation. Through its collaboration with ERDCWERX, ERDC is expanding the Army’s ability to quickly adopt, adapt and deliver technologies that enhance readiness, strengthen protection, and provide dual-use solutions for both military and civilian applications. We explore how ERDC accelerates innovation from the lab to the marketplace with Paul Sumrall, Director of ERDCWERX, and Tisa Webb, Chief for Technology, Knowledge and Outreach with ERDC’s ORTT. From simplifying the front door for business to developing dual-use technologies that protect both warfighters and communities, we discuss how ERDC turns breakthrough science into real-world solutions. Topics discussed include: What “technology transition” means at ERDC and how ERDCWERX and Technology Transfer team up to make it happen (0:59) How ERDCWERX serves as the “front door for business” (3:38) ERDC Tech Challenges—what they are, who should apply, and the outcomes they’ve produced for industry (6:52) The importance of dual-use technologies and examples with both defense and civilian applications (14:01) How ERDC and ERDCWERX partner to fill capability gaps (17:17) How ERDC is lowering barriers and increasing opportunities for businesses nationwide (18:59) Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/35-tech-transfer_video. You can also see additional information about ERDCWERX and ERDC’s technology transfer efforts at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/35-tech-transfer_resources. Learn more about ERDCWERX at ERDCWERX.org. For inquiries about ERDC’s technology transfer, contact [email protected].

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages hundreds of locks and dams, which are critical components of a complex navigation system that is central to our nation’s economy and security. Inspecting this aging aquatic infrastructure often requires costly and dangerous processes, such as deploying divers or dewatering structures, halting the flow of goods and materials. To help USACE districts perform these inspections in a safer and more cost-effective manner, and with higher quality, ERDC has been testing the use of an underwater remotely operated vehicle – or ROV. We visit with Shea Hammond, a wildlife biologist with ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory who leads a team taking commercially available technology and pushing it – and related science – to its limits, validating and developing systematic and best practices. Topics include how the ROV’s capabilities assist USACE engineers (:56), the types and scale of infrastructure components the ROV is being used to inspect (3:39), how deploying an ROV can improve cost and safety of infrastructure inspection (5:18), and how ERDC “stumbled upon” using the ROV in civil works missions (6:34). We also discuss how the ROV is supporting USACE dive teams (9:14) and how ERDC fosters programs that benefit both military engineering and civil works missions (20:04). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at PowerofERDCpodcast.org/34-underwater-rov_video. For additional resources about ERDC’s underwater ROV research, visit PowerofERDCpodcast.org/34-underwater-rov_resources. For inquiries about the underwater ROV program, email [email protected]. For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier. The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be used to load/unload armored vehicles from a train without the need for a fixed railyard facility. That system has since been repurposed for new uses, such as enabling gap crossings as a vehicle-launched bridge and serving as a foundation for Arctic infrastructure. We talk about the versatile PODS and RAIL system with ERDC’s Justin Strickler and August Johnson and GVSC’s Ashley Genna. Strickler, ERDC’s lead technical director for the Military Engineering Research and Development Area, and Johnson, a research mechanical engineer, are both based at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. Genna is a project engineer with the bridging team at GVSC. Topics discussed include how the system began and how it has evolved (1:52), how its versatility is meeting a need for the Warfighter (5:01) and the collaboration between ERDC and GVSC (9:39). We also talked about the system’s use as a vehicle-launched bridge (24:13) and a foundation for Arctic infrastructure (16:30), as well as its recent deployment to the United States Indo-Pacific Command (21:28). Watch a video of this podcast on our website at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail_video. You can also see additional resources about the system, including photos, at www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail_resources. For inquiries about the PODS/RAIL system, email [email protected]. For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

We would like to announce some exciting changes that are coming soon to the Power of ERDC podcast. Beginning in October, we will relaunch the Power of ERDC podcast as a combined video and audio product that will be available each week. Episodes will continue to feature in-depth interviews with ERDC researchers about the many ways they are solving the toughest challenges facing the nation and the Warfighter, with Tim Reeves, Shelley Tingle and Chris Kieffer rotating as hosts. Audio podcasts will continue to be available in all major podcast players, and you can also watch video of the interviews on ERDC’s LinkedIn page or at https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org. Look for new episodes each Tuesday at 10 a.m. Central, beginning Oct. 7.

A low-cost unmanned ground vehicle capable of producing 3D maps, the Muddy robot has solved a variety of mapping challenges since 2017. Developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Muddy is often used to test more expansive robotic platforms and to enable other projects. Its combination of autonomous navigation, affordability and flexibility makes it an ideal system to validate new technologies and to operate in dangerous, extreme or difficult to access environments – giving Warfighters superior situational awareness of the battlespace and a platform that can support missions across any domain. We discuss Muddy with Dr. Garry Glaspell, a research chemist at ERDC’s Geospatial Research Laboratory who has worked with the robot since its first days. We talk about Muddy’s creation and maturation (4:06), its capabilities (12:42) and the programs it has supported (15:04). We also discuss how Muddy got its name (24:52), the lessons learned from various field tests (33:14) and what modifications are on the wish list (36:29). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

The nation’s levees and dams depend upon relief wells to alleviate underground pressure when water levels are high. However, microorganisms and natural chemicals in the water gradually leave a residue that clogs the wells’ porous screen walls, reducing their practical value and increasing the risk of dam or levee failure. Existing maintenance methods are costly, dangerous and labor intensive. To improve this process, ERDC has developed an autonomous system that can clean relief wells in a safer and more cost-effective manner. Wellbot uses ultraviolet light and an oscillating wire brush to remove biofilm and chemical scale from the well screen. Costing about $5,000, the reusable system can be programmed to treat a relief well in days and then deployed to treat another. We discuss Wellbot with Taylor Rycroft, a research environmental engineer at ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory. We talk about relief wells (2:51), the current challenges of maintaining them (6:57), and what led to the development of Wellbot (18:48). We also discuss Wellbot’s capabilities (10:30), the collaborative effort that launched it (19:49) and other ways this technology can be applied (26:43). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

The environmental and economic toll of large-scale oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon incidents, can linger for decades. That’s why research into better techniques and technologies for rapidly responding to these disasters is critical. One aspect of oil spill response that requires particular attention is the effect of ice and frigid temperatures, which can change oil properties and make the substance more difficult to locate or extract. Through the world-class expertise and facilities at its Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), ERDC has developed a unique capability to enable in-depth research into mitigating oil spills on ice. As ERDC collaborates with partners to find these innovative solutions, first responders will be better equipped to have the greatest impact should a disaster occur. We discuss ERDC’s oil-on-ice research with Kate Trubac, a research general engineer at CRREL. We talk with Kate about the challenges of oil spill cleanup (3:34), how icy conditions make it even more difficult (4:26), and why it is important to study this topic (6:27). We also discuss ERDC’s role in this research (9:30, 10:52), how it supports a variety of strategies (18:01), its collaboration with partners (9:49), and what the future holds (35:12). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

The ships calling upon U.S. ports have grown larger, and navigation channels must be dredged to greater depths to handle them. However, dredging is expensive, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) needs more data-driven tools to prioritize limited resources more efficiently. Responding to this need, ERDC developed Underkeel Clearance. Applying newly available ship location data and combining it with other data points, this metric directly measures how often ship keels approach the bottom of a channel. By analyzing how ships are using the dredging USACE already provides and highlighting the areas with the highest volume of ships with limited clearance, Underkeel Clearance gives USACE waterway managers new insight to better quantify channel maintenance requirements. The project falls under the USACE Coastal Inlets Research Program. We discuss Underkeel Clearance with Dr. David Young and Dr. Brandan Scully, research civil engineers at ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory. Topics include how dredging decisions have traditionally been made (3:07), how Underkeel Clearance can improve this methodology (5:33) and surprises that have emerged as researchers began analyzing Underkeel Clearance data (14:46). We also talk about how this tool could change USACE dredging operations (17:23), other use cases of this data (21:32) and what the future holds for the effort (33:47). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.

As America’s civil works infrastructure facilities age beyond their initial design lives, so do the thousands of individual components that keep them functioning. These original components were often fabricated using vintage material and manufacturing methods, making them costly, burdensome and time-consuming to replicate. However, if one of these parts were to suddenly break, that failure could shut down a facility for months, causing significant national economic damage.  Faced with this challenge, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is studying how innovative techniques, such as additive manufacturing (large-scale 3D printing), advanced materials and design optimization can be used to replace vintage infrastructure components faster and at a lower cost while maintaining, and even improving, their properties. This research resulted in a recent collaboration with the USACE Detroit District and Lincoln Electric to manufacture the largest U.S. civil works infrastructure component produced by a 3D printer – a 12-foot-long, 6,000-pound metal part for the ship arrestor system on the Poe Lock, one of two active locks on the Soo Locks facility. We discuss ERDC’s advanced manufacturing research with Dr. Robert Moser and Dr. Zack McClelland from ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. Moser is a Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Materials, Manufacturing and Structures, and McClelland is a research mechanical engineer. We talk about the existing state of aging infrastructure and the role additive manufacturing can play to meet this challenge (3:49), how ERDC became involved in 3D printing and how that capability has evolved (7:09), ERDC’s focus areas for advanced manufacturing R&D (11:36), and the project to manufacture the largest U.S. civil works infrastructure component produced by a 3D printer (18:40). We also discuss how ERDC is working to overcome some of the challenges of 3D-printing large infrastructure components (25:27), how ERDC’s high-performance computing capability boosts this effort (28:49), how it has benefitted from military research (39:02) and what the future holds (49:11). For more information on the Power of ERDC podcast, visit https://www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org.