HOMELAND DEFENSE

& Security Digest

17 AUGUST 2021

HDIAC collects and publishes articles related to our technical focus areas on the web to share with the DoD community.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Image of a satellite directing a laser to the surface of the Earth.

What is the near-term state of the art in research or testing for space-based power beaming?

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) is seeking information on what research exists in space-based power beaming to the surface of the Earth. Of particular interest would be capabilities that would be used in/for expeditionary military facilities (as opposed to naval or airborne platforms), but any power-beaming research, including terrestrial power beaming…

Read More...

Can a chronological list be provided on what chemical exposure events (on and off the battlefield) involving chemical warfare agents have occurred in the last 50 years, along with major events that involve toxic industrial chemicals or pesticides?

Read More...
Technical Inquiry Default Image

What water-barrier technologies exist that are commercially available and ready for deployment?

Read More...

Is there an available artificial-intelligence-enabled tool that can be integrated into a learning management system and/or scheduling system to reduce the administrative burden on things such as schedule changes, facility problems, and student/instructor ratio?

Read More...

What are the connection nodes between overt/acknowledged U.S. Department of Defense installations/facilities and public energy/transport/telecom/water/sewer?

Read More...
The crystal structure of CHD_r1 (gray) is very similar to the computational design model (colored). (Image by Linna An, et al., Science.)

Breaking Boundaries in Biomedicine: Advanced Photon Source Enables Protein Design

From growth hormones to cancer drugs, small molecules play a crucial role in our health. Monitoring them is essential to keeping us healthy; it enables physicians to calculate dosages and patients to monitor their medical conditions at home, for example. Monitoring small molecules depends on sensing where they are and in what concentrations. While scientists…

Read More...
Hines stands beside the Arktis, a drone-based radiation detection system. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Jairus Hines: Detecting Radiation With Drones

Jairus Hines has accomplished what many spend their weekends dreaming of:  turning a hobby into a career. Hines is an electronics and unmanned systems technician with the Autonomous Systems group at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Part of the National Security Sciences Directorate, or NSSD, this group is the most active drone…

Read More...
Butanol molecules trigger changes in a microbial cell membrane model in this illustration of research that used neutron scattering and supercomputing to understand fundamental processes for the efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals and materials from plant biomass. Credit: Morgan Manning/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Solving a Molecular Mystery for Better Bioproducts

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Cincinnati achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the butanol they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. The discovery could pave the way for more efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals, and materials. The team used ORNL’s neutron…

Read More...
Meteorology and Oceanography Battlespace Surveillance Company 1st Intelligence Battalion Marines and NRL Ocean Science Division engineers observe surf conditions and LittoralLens system performance during amphibious combat vehicle operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)

Next-Gen Tactical Decision Aid: A Naval System-of-Systems Approach

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during the Office of Naval Research’s Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., on August 20-23….

Read More...
abstract fusion

Researchers Address Material Challenges to Make Commercial Fusion Power a Reality

Imagine if we could take the energy of the sun, put it in a container, and use it to provide green, sustainable power for the world. Creating commercial fusion power plants would essentially make this idea a reality. However, there are several scientific challenges to overcome before we can successfully harness fusion power in this…

Read More...

Featured Notable Technical Inquiry

Image of a satellite directing a laser to the surface of the Earth.

What is the near-term state of the art in research or testing for space-based power beaming?

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) is seeking information on what research exists in space-based power beaming to the surface of the Earth. Of particular interest would be capabilities that would be used in/for expeditionary military facilities (as opposed to naval or airborne platforms), but any power-beaming research, including terrestrial power beaming for smaller assets, would be of interest. If you have…

Learn More

Can a chronological list be provided on what chemical exposure events (on and off the battlefield) involving chemical warfare agents have occurred in the last 50 years, along with major events that involve toxic industrial chemicals or pesticides?

Learn More
Technical Inquiry Default Image

What water-barrier technologies exist that are commercially available and ready for deployment?

Learn More

Is there an available artificial-intelligence-enabled tool that can be integrated into a learning management system and/or scheduling system to reduce the administrative burden on things such as schedule changes, facility problems, and student/instructor ratio?

Learn More

What are the connection nodes between overt/acknowledged U.S. Department of Defense installations/facilities and public energy/transport/telecom/water/sewer?

Learn More
The crystal structure of CHD_r1 (gray) is very similar to the computational design model (colored). (Image by Linna An, et al., Science.)

Breaking Boundaries in Biomedicine: Advanced Photon Source Enables Protein Design

From growth hormones to cancer drugs, small molecules play a crucial role in our health. Monitoring them is essential to keeping us healthy; it enables physicians to calculate dosages and patients to monitor their medical conditions at home, for example. Monitoring small molecules depends on sensing where they are and in what concentrations. While scientists have developed sensors to detect some small molecules, these sensors…

Learn More
Hines stands beside the Arktis, a drone-based radiation detection system. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Jairus Hines: Detecting Radiation With Drones

Jairus Hines has accomplished what many spend their weekends dreaming of:  turning a hobby into a career. Hines is an electronics and unmanned systems technician with the Autonomous Systems group at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Part of the National Security Sciences Directorate, or NSSD, this group is the most active drone team at the lab. As a result, Hines — who…

Learn More
Butanol molecules trigger changes in a microbial cell membrane model in this illustration of research that used neutron scattering and supercomputing to understand fundamental processes for the efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals and materials from plant biomass. Credit: Morgan Manning/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Solving a Molecular Mystery for Better Bioproducts

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Cincinnati achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the butanol they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. The discovery could pave the way for more efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals, and materials. The team used ORNL’s neutron scattering capabilities and molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the fermentation…

Learn More
Meteorology and Oceanography Battlespace Surveillance Company 1st Intelligence Battalion Marines and NRL Ocean Science Division engineers observe surf conditions and LittoralLens system performance during amphibious combat vehicle operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)

Next-Gen Tactical Decision Aid: A Naval System-of-Systems Approach

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during the Office of Naval Research’s Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., on August 20-23. The SUROB Tool fuses Navy and Army operational wave and…

Learn More
abstract fusion

Researchers Address Material Challenges to Make Commercial Fusion Power a Reality

Imagine if we could take the energy of the sun, put it in a container, and use it to provide green, sustainable power for the world. Creating commercial fusion power plants would essentially make this idea a reality. However, there are several scientific challenges to overcome before we can successfully harness fusion power in this way. Researchers from the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE)…

Learn More

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UPCOMING WEBINAR

Image of a satellite directing a laser to the surface of the Earth.

What is the near-term state of the art in research or testing for space-based power beaming?

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) is seeking information on what research exists in space-based power beaming to the surface of the Earth. Of particular interest would be capabilities that would be used in/for expeditionary military facilities (as opposed to naval or airborne platforms), but any power-beaming research, including terrestrial power beaming…

Read More...

Can a chronological list be provided on what chemical exposure events (on and off the battlefield) involving chemical warfare agents have occurred in the last 50 years, along with major events that involve toxic industrial chemicals or pesticides?

Read More...
Technical Inquiry Default Image

What water-barrier technologies exist that are commercially available and ready for deployment?

Read More...

Is there an available artificial-intelligence-enabled tool that can be integrated into a learning management system and/or scheduling system to reduce the administrative burden on things such as schedule changes, facility problems, and student/instructor ratio?

Read More...

What are the connection nodes between overt/acknowledged U.S. Department of Defense installations/facilities and public energy/transport/telecom/water/sewer?

Read More...
The crystal structure of CHD_r1 (gray) is very similar to the computational design model (colored). (Image by Linna An, et al., Science.)

Breaking Boundaries in Biomedicine: Advanced Photon Source Enables Protein Design

From growth hormones to cancer drugs, small molecules play a crucial role in our health. Monitoring them is essential to keeping us healthy; it enables physicians to calculate dosages and patients to monitor their medical conditions at home, for example. Monitoring small molecules depends on sensing where they are and in what concentrations. While scientists…

Read More...
Hines stands beside the Arktis, a drone-based radiation detection system. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Jairus Hines: Detecting Radiation With Drones

Jairus Hines has accomplished what many spend their weekends dreaming of:  turning a hobby into a career. Hines is an electronics and unmanned systems technician with the Autonomous Systems group at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Part of the National Security Sciences Directorate, or NSSD, this group is the most active drone…

Read More...
Butanol molecules trigger changes in a microbial cell membrane model in this illustration of research that used neutron scattering and supercomputing to understand fundamental processes for the efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals and materials from plant biomass. Credit: Morgan Manning/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Solving a Molecular Mystery for Better Bioproducts

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Cincinnati achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the butanol they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. The discovery could pave the way for more efficient production of domestic fuels, chemicals, and materials. The team used ORNL’s neutron…

Read More...
Meteorology and Oceanography Battlespace Surveillance Company 1st Intelligence Battalion Marines and NRL Ocean Science Division engineers observe surf conditions and LittoralLens system performance during amphibious combat vehicle operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)

Next-Gen Tactical Decision Aid: A Naval System-of-Systems Approach

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during the Office of Naval Research’s Technical Concept Experiment 24.2 (TCE 24.2) at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif., on August 20-23….

Read More...
abstract fusion

Researchers Address Material Challenges to Make Commercial Fusion Power a Reality

Imagine if we could take the energy of the sun, put it in a container, and use it to provide green, sustainable power for the world. Creating commercial fusion power plants would essentially make this idea a reality. However, there are several scientific challenges to overcome before we can successfully harness fusion power in this…

Read More...

UPCOMING EVENTS

What is the near-term state of the art in research or testing for space-based power beaming?

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) is seeking information on what research exists in space-based power beaming to the surface of the Earth. Of particular interest would be capabilities that would be…

Can a chronological list be provided on what chemical exposure events (on and off the battlefield) involving chemical warfare agents have occurred in the last 50 years, along with major events that involve toxic industrial chemicals or pesticides?

What water-barrier technologies exist that are commercially available and ready for deployment?

Is there an available artificial-intelligence-enabled tool that can be integrated into a learning management system and/or scheduling system to reduce the administrative burden on things such as schedule changes, facility problems, and student/instructor ratio?

What are the connection nodes between overt/acknowledged U.S. Department of Defense installations/facilities and public energy/transport/telecom/water/sewer?

Breaking Boundaries in Biomedicine: Advanced Photon Source Enables Protein Design

From growth hormones to cancer drugs, small molecules play a crucial role in our health. Monitoring them is essential to keeping us healthy; it enables physicians to calculate dosages and patients to monitor their medical…

Jairus Hines: Detecting Radiation With Drones

Jairus Hines has accomplished what many spend their weekends dreaming of:  turning a hobby into a career. Hines is an electronics and unmanned systems technician with the Autonomous Systems group at the Department of Energy’s…

Solving a Molecular Mystery for Better Bioproducts

Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Cincinnati achieved a breakthrough in understanding the vulnerability of microbes to the butanol they produce during fermentation of plant biomass. The…

Next-Gen Tactical Decision Aid: A Naval System-of-Systems Approach

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Research Development Center (ERDC) demonstrated the Marine Corps Surf Observation (SUROB) Tool for Littoral Expeditionary Operations during…

Researchers Address Material Challenges to Make Commercial Fusion Power a Reality

Imagine if we could take the energy of the sun, put it in a container, and use it to provide green, sustainable power for the world. Creating commercial fusion power plants would essentially make this…

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