The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) — a major scientific breakthrough decades in the making that will pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power. On December 5, a team at LLNL’s National…
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 depolymerize polyester-based plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (known as PET)…
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There are three main kinds of choking agents:Â (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 the lungs (pulmonary edema); nausea; vomiting; severe secretions from the…
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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, stinging and burning of the eyes, sinus pain, nose bleeds,…
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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 spasms, sweating, vomiting, heavy fatigue, interim lack of breathing (apnea),…
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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 filter canisters against various chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial…
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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 important for military medical personnel working in these environments to…
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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 western and central regions. Several significant disease outbreaks have occurred…
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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 on methods to measure and/or demonstrate improvements to software and…
Learn MoreHDIAC hosts live online technical presentations featuring a DoD research and engineering topic within our technical focus areas.
Hosted by: Jason Stewart
January 19, 2023 12:00 pm
The mission of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency’s Office for Bombing Prevention is to protect life and critical infrastructure by building capabilities within the public and across the private and public sectors to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate bombing incidents. This session will look at threat landscape awareness products, training opportunities, and videos to…
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…
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…
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 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…
Senior Electrical Engineer, Collins Aerospace
Benjamin Krawczyk is a Navy Veteran who works as a nuclear effects engineer at Collins Aerospace, where he advises/assists with the development of nuclear hardened electronics for platforms like the B-52 bomber, B-2 bomber, E-4B SAOC, and E-6 TACAMO. He specializes in radiation effects (testing/analysis/assurance) but also supports the Collins’ electromagnetic effects lab as an engineering test lead. As an assistant weapons officer onboard a ballistic missile submarine, he studied nuclear weapons, their effects, and mitigation strategies.
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