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At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

The military gear microbiome: risk factors surrounding the warfighter

ABSTRACT Combat extremity wounds are highly susceptible to contamination from surrounding environmental material. This bioburden could be partially transferred from materials in immediate proximity to the wound, including fragments of the uniform and gear. However, the assessment of the microbial bioburden present on military gear during operational conditions of deployment or training is relatively unexplored. Opportunistic pathogens that can survive on gear represent risk factors for infection following injury, especially following combat blasts, where fibers and other materials are embedded in wounded tissue. We utilized 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the microbiome composition of different military gear types (boot, trouser, coat, and canteen) from two operational environments (training in Hawai’i and deployed in Indonesia) across time (days 0 and 14). We found that microbiome diversity, stability, and composition were dependent on gear type, training location, and sampling timepoint. At day 14, species diversity was significantly higher in Hawai’i samples compared to Indonesia samples for boot, coat, and trouser swabs. In addition, we observed the presence of potential microbial risk factors, as opportunistic pathogenic species, such as Acinetobacter , Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus , were found to be present in all sample types and in both study sites. These study outcomes will be used to guide the design of antimicrobial materials and uniforms and for infection control efforts following combat blasts and other injuries, thereby improving treatment guidance during military training and deployment. IMPORTANCE Combat extremity wounds are vulnerable to contamination from environments of proximity to the warfighter, leading to potential detrimental outcomes such as infection and delayed wound healing. Therefore, microbial surveillance of such environments is necessary to aid the advancement of military safety and preparedness through clinical diagnostics, treatment protocols, and uniform material design.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Section 110 Documentation of a Douglas AD-2 Skyraider Crash Site, Area 1, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

The National Nuclear Security Administration, Nevada Field Office has undertaken a Section 110 current condition assessment of the unanticipated discovery of an aviation crash site in Nye County, Nevada. Because no undertaking is planned, an area of potential effect (APE) was not defined. A study area of 0.55 acres was established to delineate the general extent of the debris scatter and establish a boundary for the cultural resource documentation of the site by Desert Research Institute (DRI). The Douglas AD-2 Skyraider drone crash site (26NY17011) is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Significance Criterion A, as a physical remnant of Project 5.1 “Atomic Weapons Effects on AD Type Aircraft in Flight,” one of the series of military effects studies conducted as part of Shot Simon during Operation Upshot-Knothole in 1953. Furthermore, the site is eligible under Criterion D because closer examination of the debris could address research questions concerning the Type 1 Remote Control Equipment developed by the Naval Air Experimental Station that was onboard to remotely pilot the aircraft.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Publishing Challenges in Energetic Materials Science

The editorial addressed the ethical dilemma that energetic materials scientists face in advancing their field for societal good and not providing information that could be used for nefarious purposes. The reaction to the editorial was heated, both pro and con. Here we concluded that PEP had done a good job in catalyzing a thoughtful debate in our community about what information should or should not be published.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Testosterone undecanoate administration prevents declines in fat-free mass but not physical performance during simulated multi-stressor military operations

This study demonstrated that a single intramuscular dose of testosterone undecanoate (750 mg) administered to physically active males before a 20-day simulated, multi-stressor military operation increased circulating total and free testosterone concentrations within normal physiological ranges and spared FFM. However, testosterone administration did not attenuate decrements in physical performance across multiple measures of power, strength, anaerobic or aerobic capacity.

Physiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

Occupational Experience Effects on Physiological and Perceptual Responses of Common Soldiering Tasks

Abstract Cohen BS, Redmond JE, Haven CC, Foulis SA, Canino MC, Frykman PN, Sharp MA. Occupational Experience Effects on Physiological and Perceptual Responses of Common Soldiering Tasks. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): 894–901, 2023—This study measured the impact of occupational experience (i.e., time spent deployed, in military service, and in job and task performance frequency in training, deployment, and study practice) on the physiological (heart rate [HR] and oxygen consumption [VO 2 ]) and perceptual (rate of perceived exertion [RPE]) responses to performance of critical physically demanding tasks (CPDTs). Five CPDTs (road march, build a fighting position, move under fire, evacuate a casualty, and drag a casualty to safety), common to all soldiers, were performed by 237 active duty soldiers. Linear regression models examined the association between measures of experience and physiological and perceptual performance responses to task demands. The level of significance was adjusted for multiple comparisons and set at ρ ≤ 0.0125 for this study. Significant and notable effect sizes included the impact of time spent deployed on the physiological measures of the road march (PostHR F = 24.84, p < 0.0001, β=-9.65), sandbag fill (PostHR F = 8.26, p = 0.005, β = −2.83), and sandbag carry (MeanHR F = 7.51, p = 0.007, β = −1.12; PostHR F = 7.35, p = 0.007, β = −0.87). For the road march task, there was a nearly 10 bpm decrease in postperformance HR for every year spent deployed. Road march, sandbag fill, and sandbag carry tasks PostHRs were also notably negatively associated with the experience measures of time in their MOS (job and time in military service but not for other physiological and perceptual responses, including VO 2 and RPE. Frequency of task performance in training, deployment, and study practice was not meaningfully associated with experience. The results suggest that increasing task familiarization through on-the-job occupational operational experience may result in greater proficiency and reduced physiological effort.

Sport Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2025

OPCW Twining Project Visit by the National Laboratory of Scientific and Technical Police (LNPST) to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Forensic Science Center (LLNL)

PURPOSE FOR TRIP Through the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Twinning and Assistance Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Forensic Science Center (LLNL) has been paired with Morocco’s National Laboratory of Scientific and Technical Police (LNPST), with the goal of mentoring LNPST to become an OPCW Designated Laboratory. The purpose of this visit was for LLNL staff to mentor staff from LNPST as they participated in hands-on, laboratory-based exercises to analyze proficiency test samples prepared by LLNL. This visit was designed to help LNPST scientists strengthen their skills in OPCW proficiency testing.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2025

Empowering Lineworkers: The Case for Active Exoskeletons in Utility Work

Exoskeletons have evolved from early medical prototypes to advanced systems capable of addressing physical demands in various industries. This report explores the potential of active exoskeleton technology within the utility sector, focusing on its application for linemen who face significant risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). By analyzing existing literature on exoskeletons across industries such as construction, manufacturing, and military, the study identifies a gap in utility-specific applications. Task-specific design features like gravity compensation, limb support, and advanced safety measures, improve exoskeletons’ potential to alleviate physical strain, reduce workplace injuries, and enhance productivity. This review emphasizes the need for targeted research and development to optimize exoskeleton designs for the utility sector to provide benefits for workers, companies, and the broader community.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

First DIII-D-West hybrid scenario similarity experiments for iter-relevant long-pulse operation

For the first time, similarity experiments between DIII-D and WEST were performed in the ITER "hybrid-like" regime during dedicated campaigns in April and May 2025. The matched parameters include elongation, triangularity, ion ∇B drift direction toward the X-point, qprofile, and core normalized physics quantities in terms of normalized pressure, normalized gyroradius, electron collisionality, ratio of ion to electron temperature, T i /T e . Core transport physics is explored with different aspect ratio (R/a) values (typically 3 at DIII-D and 5 on WEST). DIII-D explored high-beta conditions (electromagnetic effect) with low torque injection (~0 ± 0.5 N•m) using high heating power (up to 6 MW NBI and 2 MW ECRH powers), while scanning the heating mix (ion vs electron), beta, T i /T e , core radiation via controlled tungsten injection using the Laser Blow-Off system. WEST extended operation toward long-duration pulses using its actively cooled tungsten divertor, achieving dominated electron heating regimes with reduced tungsten contamination. Boron impurity injection were scanned on WEST to control edge conditions and core performance. It is found that core confinement improves-manifested by higher electron temperature, total energy content, neutron rate, and ion temperatureunder conditions of low separatrix density, consistent with previous observations [Bourdelle et al., Nucl. Fusion 63 (2023) 056021]. Conditions for Hmode access and for ion heating in electron-dominated regimes in both WEST and DIII-D will be discussed and compared. The ratio of the thermal energy confinement time (τ E ) to the volume-averaged electron-ion collisional heat exchange time (τ e-i ) is a key parameter to enhance ion heating and potentially facilitate H-mode access in electron-heated regimes. These first-of-a-kind coordinated DIII-D and WEST experiments provide a unique multi-machine dataset to validate predictive models and to optimize ITER hybrid-scenario performance under diverse core and edge conditions.

DIII-D↗
DOE OSTI2025

Sequencing and analysis of 131 SARS-CoV-2 isolates in previously sampled and unsampled regions of Jordan from 2020 to 2023

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan remains an understudied country for next generation sequencing analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected during the 2019 pandemic. Here we provide 131 additional reference genomes collected between 2020–2023 from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients across Jordan. Phylogenetic analysis supports existing pandemic narratives of changing clade dominance over time and adds genomes in novel Jordanian locations and timepoints to make Jordan SARS-CoV-2 databases more comprehensive. Samples from the less-sequenced cities of Ajloun, Jaresh, Karak, and Madaba identified previously unreported lineages while Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa have existing sequencing efforts bolstered. Despite many incomplete patient records and a relatively small sample size, we observe interesting symptom patterns that support existing global and Jordanian pandemic narratives. We note how in-country COVID-19 pandemic genomic studies showcase Jordan’s efforts to expand next generation sequencing capabilities, especially through the leveraging of EDGE COVID-19, a bioinformatics platform for performing rapid, batched analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing that streamlines sample processing prepared from a network of hospital locations.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Autonomous System Subversion Tactics: Prototypes and Recommended Countermeasures

One of the fielding requirements for Advanced and Small Modular Reactors (AR/SMR) is the ability to support remote and autonomous operations. Autonomous Control Systems (ACS) are found on platforms such as Autonomous Space Vehicles, Cruise Missiles, and advanced driver-assistance systems. Each of these ACS implementations depends upon a set of decision support subsystems responsible for supporting Autonomous Mission Managers (names vary based upon field and author preferences). These Autonomous Mission Managers receive inputs from system sensors (e.g., LIDAR collection from an automobile travelling down a street; transients from a nuclear reactor), and perform a set of classifications (e.g., Red Traffic Light; Small Pedestrian at 10m; Load Rejection; Single Coolant Pump Trip), and then use these classifications in combination with recommendation algorithms to achieve platform goals (e.g., Stop the Vehicle at the Traffic Light, Avoid the Small Pedestrian; Trip the Reactor to prevent a Safety Event). The design, implementation, and fielding of an ACS capability will alter the cyber-attack surface such that existing risk management plans will need to be updated to include how to protect and defend against data-science and decision-support-system attack classes. These attack classes would include protection of the design and training environments where algorithm selection and testing and training data would be obvious attack vectors. These attack classes would also require an informed set of detection and response procedures to identify anomalous behaviors and document best practices for anomaly assessment and vulnerability mitigation and remediation. Last year we published a Cyber Threat Assessment Methodology for Autonomous and Remote Operations for AR/SMRs along with a companion publication on Cyber Attack and Defense Use Cases. The focus of the methodology was on describing and enumerating ACS processes, components, and functions such that security engineers could: evaluate subversion options against the target; identify threat actor attributes and capabilities derived from each subversion option; and identify security controls and response countermeasures. The Use Cases document offered detailed methodology examples including an assessment of a Military Base SMR, an Autonomous System Decision Loop, and implementation of AR/SMR Machine Learning algorithms. Our proposal at the end of last year was to focus on implementation of subversion prototypes related to the last Use Case area: AR/SMR Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms. We included six attack scenarios in our Use Cases paper: a Poisoning Attack against ML functions implemented using an FPGA; a Trojaning Attack against ML classifiers exploiting the excitability of Nuclear Engineers; a Backdooring Attack against ML Training environments to ensure persistence of an attack vector; a False Positive Evasion Attack against multi-factor Access Control Systems using clever inputs; an Inference Attack against ML models by an Insider with access to the Operational environment; and an Adversarial Reprogramming Attack against a Material Access Control Video Surveillance System. At the beginning of this year these six attack scenarios were provided to our research teams at Georgia Tech and Idaho State University and each team successfully implemented a subversion attack against a ML implementation to include transient misclassifications. While this is a notable outcome from this type of research, this paper offers the reader insight into not only how to structure and execute these types of attacks, but into the thought process behind how the researcher investigated the problem space, performed initial algorithm implementation, and the trial-and-error behind arriving at the successful subversion prototypes. We include in this paper a set of associated Scenarios on how these subversion prototypes could be implemented and an initial set of guidance for AR/SMR architects, Nuclear Regulators, and Cyber Defenders to implement awareness and defense capabilities into their current operational portfolios.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of the linear and nonlinear stability of Alfven eigenmodes and fish-bones in JET DT discharges: mode identification and shear flows generation

The plasma in future nuclear fusion reactors will be heated by neutral beam injectors (NBIs) and high frequency electromagnetic waves as well as fusion born alpha particles. Energetic particles (EPs), with energies up to two orders of magnitude larger than the thermal plasma, can trigger EP driven modes and induce harmful EP losses, reducing the plasma heating efficiency and the economical viability of the reactor. The present study is dedicated to analyze the Alfven Eigenmode (AE) activity in JET D–T discharges, the closest experiment to reactor-like operation performed until now. There, EP driven modes are induced by the combined effect of tangential NBIs and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) driven EP. Linear and nonlinear simulations are performed with the gyro-fluid FAR3d code to analyze the AE activity observed in the discharge 99896. The linear simulations reproduce the unstable n = 3 to 5 toroidal AEs (TAE) at the inner plasma region observed in the experiment, triggered by highly energetic passing deuterium populations injected by the tangential NBIs, further accelerated by the effect of the ICRH up to 1 MeV. In addition, fish-bones triggered by energetic trapped hydrogen induced by the ICRH are also reproduced. On the other hand, the alpha particles density is too small to destabilize AEs in the experiment. Nonetheless, increasing artificially the alpha density by one order of magnitude, an n = 1 beta induced AE can be destabilized in the inner plasma region. Nonlinear simulations indicate the generation of zonal structures during the AE/fish-bone saturation phase. TAE and fish-bones causes a rather weak increase of the passing D and trapped H EP (around 2%), respectively. Shear flows and zonal currents are generated during the saturation of TAE and fish-bones. Nonlinear simulations performed for D–T and pure deuterium thermal plasma indicate AE/fish-bone activity is weaker and shear flows are less intense in the pure deuterium case, trends consistent with the experimental observations that also indicates a deterioration of the thermal plasma confinement. Therefore, both numerical studies and experimental evidence indicate the generation of shear flows by AE/fish-bones could be connected with an improvement of the thermal plasma confinement.

AE↗
DOE OSTI2025

NCERC 2024 Highlights

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is entrusted with ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile while advancing programs aimed at reducing global nuclear proliferation. These critical mission objectives are achieved through the expertise of a highly skilled team of professionals. The operations at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) play a vital role in developing and enhancing knowledge and expertise in advanced nuclear technologies. NCERC supports a wide range of mission areas, including nuclear criticality safety, nuclear emergency response, and nuclear nonproliferation, safeguards, and arms control. It also provides support to the Department of Homeland Security, advances stockpile stewardship science, and delivers scientific expertise to other government agencies, such as NASA and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. NCERC conducts experiments utilizing diverse nuclear materials, from small neutron-emitting sources for testing radiation detection equipment to larger quantities of uranium and plutonium for criticality experiments. A cornerstone of NCERC's mission portfolio includes the operation of four critical mass assembly machines—Planet, Comet, Flattop, and Godiva-IV—which are instrumental in advancing nuclear science and ensuring the nation’s nuclear security objectives.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Elevation Radiation Array (HERA) detectors for airborne thunderstorm investigations

A high-energy atmospheric physics phenomenon, referred to as a terrestrial gamma ray flash (TGF), is associated with lightning and produces large bursts of energetic photon radiation. TGFs will be investigated using a suite of gamma-ray instruments designed and constructed to fly on ten United States Air Force (USAF) WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft as part of an aircrew ionization study led by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), in cooperation with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS). Each instrument consists of one NaI and one plastic detector, a GPS timing device, and an instrument computer that performs data acquisition. High Elevation Radiation Array (HERA) detectors will be employed to maximize the chances of observing TGFs near their source and to gain a better understanding of their origin, mechanism, ubiquity, and to assess potential hazards posed to military and commercial aircrew and passengers. The HERA program, deployed on 10 separate Air Force aircraft over a multi-year campaign, will result in thousands of observational flight hours and be the largest concerted effort to date to observe TGFs in situ through aircraft observations. In this paper, we give an overview of the scientific goals of this campaign and how the HERA instruments have been designed to meet those goals. Here, we include a detailed description of the HERA instrument, along with mass model and signal processing simulations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program (OSELP) Software and Computing Strategy for the Future of Weapons Physics Applications [Slides]

Mission drivers at the national level are evolving to accommodate a broadening landscape. The U.S. faces a rapidly evolving, threat-based environment with an associated expansion of national-level priorities. Priorities continue to include all aspects of sustaining the existing, aging stockpile. Now, however, we must also include consideration of options for a future deterrent, including efficacy of the deterrent against new threats (threat assessment and response), capability needs associated with new materials and modern manufacturing and production processes, and efficiency requirements for a modern workflow for weapons design. Executing this complex strategy will come with challenges. We must execute our current mission, while we prepare for future missions and an increasingly uncertain future.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laser-based ultrasound interrogation of surface and sub-surface features in advanced manufacturing materials

Abstract Structures formed by advanced manufacturing methods increasingly require nondestructive characterization to enable efficient fabrication and to ensure performance targets are met. This is especially important for aerospace, military, and high precision applications. Surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated by laser-based ultrasound can detect surface and sub-surface defects relevant for a broad range of advanced manufacturing processes, including laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). In particular, an all-optical SAW generation and detection configuration can effectively interrogate laser melt lines. Here we report on scattered acoustic energy from melt lines, voids, and surface features. Sub-surface voids are also characterized using X-ray Computed Tomography (CT). High resolution CT results are presented and compared with SAW measurements. Finite difference simulations inform experimental measurements and analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Proteomic and metabolomic profiling of acute and chronic stress events associated with military exercises

By characterizing physiological changes that occur in warfighters during simulated combat, we can start to unravel the key biomolecular components that are linked to physical and cognitive performance. Viable field-based sensors for the warfighter must be rapid and noninvasive. In an effort to facilitate this, we applied a multiomics pipeline to characterize the stress response in the saliva of warfighters to correlate biomolecular changes with overall performance and health. In this study, two different stress models were observed – one of chronic stress and one of acute stress. In both models, significant perturbations in the immune, metabolic, and protein manufacturing/processing systems were observed. However, when differentiating between stress models, specific metabolites associated with the “fight or flight” response and protein folding were seen to be discriminate of the acute stress model.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Passive high explosive neutron inspection (PHENIX): a new method to confirm the presence or absence of high explosives for nuclear treaty verification

Advanced instruments and methods need to be developed now to create a technical basis to support the negotiation of future nuclear arms control treaties. One new capability that is anticipated is the ability to confirm either the declared presence or declared absence of high explosive (HE) material in the presence of special nuclear material (SNM). Towards this goal, Passive HE Neutron Inspection (PHENIX) has been developed and demonstrated as a method for confirming the presence or absence of HE in the presence of plutonium. The method exploits the inherent presence of neutrons associated with the decay of plutonium as an internal probe source for performing prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), searching for the presence of HE as revealed by the emission of characteristic gamma rays following neutron absorption in hydrogen and nitrogen which are building blocks of present-day, military-grade HE. Tests using stoichiometrically-correct hemishells of mock HE with plutonium show that a system can be expected to positively confirm the presence or absence of these signatures, supporting determination of HE presence or absence with Pu, in a few hours. To protect other potentially sensitive gamma-ray signatures from a treaty accountable item, an analog information barrier has been conceptualized and tested which physically prevents the collection of gamma-ray spectral data outside of user selected energy windows strategically chosen to view only narrow spectral regions corresponding to the hydrogen (2223.2 keV) and nitrogen (9807.2 keV, 10,318.2 keV, and 10,829.2 keV) PGNAA signatures.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Virtual Reality for Shoot/No-Shoot Decision Training in Law Enforcement: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

Virtual reality (VR) can materially improve “shoot / no-shoot” (SNS) training by giving officers realistic, repeatable practice making high-stakes decisions under pressure. Traditional tools—live-fire ranges and video simulators—build basics, but they cannot adapt to each officer in real time or fully mirror the complexity of the field. VR closes that gap by creating immersive scenarios that are safer, more flexible, easier to scale across units, and able to capture objective performance data. SNS decisions are not just about marksmanship; they rely on perception, judgment, memory, and the ability to hold fire when a threat is uncertain. Effective training therefore needs realism, decision complexity, and branching outcomes that reflect the true consequences of choices. These elements strengthen recognition of hostile intent while reducing false positives and building the self-control required in ambiguous situations. VR brings specific advantages: dynamic environments, full-body interaction, and the ability to measure performance with precision—enabling targeted feedback and better transfer of learning to the street. At the same time, responsible deployment must address scenario quality (credible environments and behaviors), lawful decision models, and user wellbeing (appropriate stress levels, comfort, and safety). Sandia’s VIPER Lab is positioned to lead this work. The team combines human-performance science, AI/ML, and VR/AR development with a deep equipment bench (e.g., omnidirectional treadmill, eye-tracking, haptics, multiple HMDs). This ecosystem supports building and validating next-generation SNS training that is immersive, measurable, and trustworthy. Bottom line: Investment in VR-enabled SNS training that blends evidence-based design with careful validation and legal safeguards is expected to pay off in safer, more consistent decision-making and improved community trust, delivered through training that is practical to deploy at scale.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗