19 OCTOBER 2021

HOMELAND DEFENSE

& Security Digest

19 OCTOBER 2021

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

FEATURED ARTICLE

NSF Supports Infrastructure-Focused Research Projects Grounded in Behavioral and Social Science

The U.S. National Science Foundation is supporting more than 20 exploratory research projects examining the interactions of people and society with physical and digital infrastructure. Through NSF’s Strengthening American Infrastructure initiative, researchers will investigate a variety of areas — from bridges and electrical grids to online education — with the shared goal of producing fundamental…

Featured Notable Technical Inquiry

Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center recently conducted research and analysis on possible DoD applications for CS-GAG hydrogels. Background CS-GAG hydrogels are a modification of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA, found naturally in the human body, is produced in the plasma membrane of vertebrate cells [1]. HA hydrogels have been used successfully in cell delivery and many other biomedical applications [2]. Modification of natural…

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FUTURE WEBINARS

HDIAC hosts live online technical presentations featuring a DoD research and engineering topic within our technical focus areas.

Moshan Kahandawala, Ph. D.

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What is the role of cutinases or esterase activity on biodegradation of man-made structures?

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What are choking agents?

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What are blister agents?

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What are nerve agents?

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What information is available for M61 filter breakthrough times?

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What information is available regarding resources and training for medics to perform in austere environments and conduct prolonged care?

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What are the key emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in west and central Africa?

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The 2nd Annual Research and Development (R&D) Workshop “Protecting the Software and Hardware Supply Chain: Demonstrating Improvement Over Time”

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Where can combatant commands access established international agreements allowing/enabling science and technology collaboration (i.e., information exchange, meetings, experiments, field tests, field observations, training and exercises)?

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UPCOMING WEBINAR

Moshan Kahandawala, Ph. D.

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What is the role of cutinases or esterase activity on biodegradation of man-made structures?

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The biodegradation of synthetic polymers is a key element for achieving a circular economy with high material reuse and environmentally friendly waste products. Laccase enzymes, which play a key role in lignin degradation, have been shown to degrade high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE) and nylon-66 membranes using a laccase-mediator system. Additionally, esterases and cutinases are known to…

Two U.S. Army soldiers in gas masks with yellow smoke surrounding them in a simulated chemical attack exercise

What are choking agents?

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There are three main kinds of choking agents: (1) ammonia, (2) chlorine gas, and (3) phosgene. Symptoms vary by agent type, severity, dosage, and exposure route (inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eyes) [2]. General symptoms applicable to all choking agents include, but are not limited to, irritation of the airway; difficulty breathing; accumulation of fluid in…

A USAF medic applies moulage around the eyes of another medic ahead of a simulated blister agent attack exercise

What are blister agents?

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There are three main types of blister agents: (1) sulfur mustard, (2) mustard-lewisite mixture, and (3) lewisite. The onset and severity of symptoms for each blister agent are dose- and route-dependent (inhalation, ingestion, skin, or eyes). General symptoms of blister agents include tissue damage, cell death, DNA damage, shortness of breath, severe cough, lung damage,…

What are nerve agents?

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Nerve agents listed as Schedule 1 agents by the Chemical Weapons Convention include (1) tabun (GA), (2) sarin (GB), (3) soman (GD), (4) VX, and (5) cyclosarin [2]. Each has its own distinct physical properties but produces similar symptoms. Constriction of pupils (miosis), clouded vision, runny nose, tight chest, shortness of breath, headache, salivation, muscle…

What information is available for M61 filter breakthrough times?

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The M61 filter canister is fielded to the U.S. military for use with the M50 joint service general purpose mask. The filter canister is designed to receive incremental upgrades as new materials and designs are developed. Since their fielding in the late 2000s, various tests have been conducted to measure the breakthrough time of the…

What information is available regarding resources and training for medics to perform in austere environments and conduct prolonged care?

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The Homeland Defense & Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) was asked to provide resources and trainings available for medics to perform in austere environments and conduct prolonged care. Military medical professionals must often provide prolonged care in austere environments that have a lack of resources and pose logistical challenges and potential dangers. Therefore, it is…

What are the key emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in west and central Africa?

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The United States has had a growing interest in Africa for nearly 30 years, as evidenced by an increase in military and humanitarian activities there, not overlooking the 2007 creation of the U.S. Africa Command. Apart from insurgencies, terrorism, and political upheaval, infectious disease is a major challenge to operations in Africa, especially in the…

a hand holding digital gearwheels with digital network lines

The 2nd Annual Research and Development (R&D) Workshop “Protecting the Software and Hardware Supply Chain: Demonstrating Improvement Over Time”

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The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (DHS S&T) cyber community of interest (COI) and the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Cyber Security and Information Assurance Interagency Working Group (CSIA IWG) are excited to once again co-host the workshop on protecting the software and hardware supply chain. This year’s focus is…

Where can combatant commands access established international agreements allowing/enabling science and technology collaboration (i.e., information exchange, meetings, experiments, field tests, field observations, training and exercises)?

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UPCOMING EVENTS

2025 Advanced Functional Fabrics Summit

September 23, 2025 - September 24, 2025

This event gathers Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) members and the greater ecosystem from across the United States each year at the Advanced Functional Fabric Summit. Attendees will learn about new advanced fiber and…

Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition

August 27, 2025 - August 29, 2025

Explore the innovations that will help shape national security for the next century at NDIA’s flagship Emerging Technologies Conference! Hear directly from technology leaders in government, defense industry, the commercial sector, and academia on cutting-edge…

GridSecCon 2025

October 7, 2025 - October 10, 2025

NERC, the E-ISAC, and WECC are cohosting the 14th annual Grid Security Conference, GridSecCon, from October 7-10 in Las Vegas. Join cyber and physical security leaders for four days of collaboration, networking, and expert training…

TechNet Indo-Pacific 2025

October 28, 2025 - October 30, 2025

TechNet Indo-Pacific is the largest strategic event of its kind in the Indo-Pacific Rim. USINDOPACOM works closely with partners to enable resilient, survivable and secure collaboration across the spectrum of contingencies. TechNet Indo-Pacific, now in…

Voice From the Community

Lisa Del

Director, Ohio Federal Research Network

Lisa Delp is the Director of the Ohio Federal Research Network Commercialization Team. She has operated as the interface between academic labs, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, and Ohio industry. This work provided the insight to develop a repeatable, measurable, and scalable process to aid in identifying technology solutions to meet the needs of the DoD. She also co-founded the GDI Partners TRIAD (Technology Requirements & Innovation Awareness Days) program that provides education and advocacy to stimulate small business growth and the commercialization of new technology for the U.S. Warfighter.