Armed with Science | Tag Archive

Top Tech – The Flying Transformer

Filed under Top Technology by jtozer on February 15, 2013 at 7:24 am {no comments}

The Top Tech Series highlights the latest and greatest federal laboratory inventions that are available for transfer to business partners. Want to suggest an invention? Email us at science@dma.mil.

Technology: Stop-Rotor Rotary Wing Aircraft

Agency: Naval Research Laboratory

What is it?

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed a patented system and method of transitioning an aircraft between helicopter and fixed wing flight modes. It’s called the Stop-Rotor Rotary Wing Aircraft. This one in particular is a multi-purpose unmanned aircraft that can do what only toys used to be able to do; change shape. So to speak.

What does that mean?

See the picture? It does that. This system turns a plane into a helicopter. Now, my first thought when I saw this was one of those James Bond car/plane/helicopter/dirigible/spaceship vehicle things that he has (Aston Martin notwithstanding). This is clearly a more reasonable approach to that concept, and arguably less costly. Sorry, Q. They’re like turbo transforming UAVs. I like it.

What does it do?

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BioZen, The Biofeedback Mobile App

Filed under Technology by jtozer on February 13, 2013 at 7:28 am {no comments}

Times Square BIOZEN ad

The Department of Defense has released a smart phone mobile application to help service members use the therapeutic benefits of biofeedback.

BioZen, a mobile app from the Defense Department’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology, known as T2, uses wireless sensors to show the user their physical level of relaxation.

It is the first portable, low-cost method for clinicians and patients to use biofeedback in and out of the clinic.

“Mastering biofeedback successfully is difficult and frustrating for many people,” said Dr. David Cooper, T2 psychologist.

“This app takes many of the large medical sensors found in a clinic and puts them in the hands of anyone with a smart phone. BioZen makes it easier for anyone to get started with biofeedback.”

BioZen shows real-time data from multiple body sensors including electroencephalogram (EEG), electromyography (EMG), galvanic skin response (GSR), electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), respiratory rate, and skin temperature. Each sensor sends a separate signal to the phone so users can see how their body is responding to their behavior.

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Lab Testing Seeks Data on Modified Gunner Protection Design

Filed under Technology by jtozer on February 8, 2013 at 9:45 am {no comments}

The best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a product is to put it in the hands of the user, obtain feedback, and make adjustments accordingly.

With a newly developed Virtual Environment Test Bed scientists and engineers at the Target Behavioral Research Laboratory at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., can record how soldiers react and perform inside a newly modified Objective Gunner Protection Kit. (Photo by Todd Mozes)

With a newly developed Virtual Environment Test Bed, or VETB, scientists and engineers at the Target Behavioral Research Laboratory at Picatinny Arsenal can record how soldiers react and perform inside a newly modified Objective Gunner Protection Kit, or OGPK.

The OGPK is an armored turret that provides much-needed protection for tactical vehicle gunners in combat situations. Soldiers voted the OGPK as one of the Army‘s top 10 Greatest Inventions in 2007, the year it was first fielded.

“The purpose of testing the OGPK in a virtual test bed is to evaluate gunner performance in various threat scenarios,” said Thomas Kiel, chief, Turret Engineering and Force Protection in the Systems Engineering Directorate, part of the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, known as ARDEC.

A customized version of the “America’s Army” gaming environment was integrated with the actual OGPK hardware and weapon system to provide a more realistic simulation.

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Army Supports Science, Technology Youth Activities

Filed under Education & Culture by jtozer on February 6, 2013 at 7:13 am {no comments}

This Boston Green Academy student (right) is at SolidWorks facility in Waltham, Mass., just outside of Boston. It was the Army-sponsored kickoff to that region. With him is Tony Schumacher, the Army-sponsored NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driver.(courtesy photo)

Today’s soldiers are strong and technologically savvy, and the Army aims to continue to attract these young people to its ranks, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Marketing Mark S. Davis.

The Army also wants to educate the public about the many opportunities it offers young people who want careers in science and technology, said Davis, who also is the director of Army Marketing and Research Group, or AM&RG, which was created in April 2011.

“The more we expose the public to our soldiers, civilians and family members, the stronger our brand becomes, the more our story is understood and believed, and the more comfortable influencers and potential prospects are in recommending or serving in our ranks.”

One AM&RG initiative, started a year ago, involves science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, activities and competitions in high schools across the country.

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NASA: Change the World

Filed under Videos by jtozer on January 29, 2013 at 7:26 am {no comments}

What’s it like to be in a NASA wind tunnel holding a wand releasing a stream of smoke across the wing of a 2,500 pound aircraft model? Student researcher Jonathan Lichtwardt tells us, and says his NASA experience made him feel good because he’s doing work that can “change the world.”

Video provided by NASA

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Communications and Sensing 2.0

Filed under Videos by jtozer on January 11, 2013 at 7:55 am {no comments}

For decades, researchers have to attempted better understand how data transfers and interacts with other environments, and how communication sources can be enhanced for the benefit of the warfighter. Current Air Force basic research pushes the boundaries of quantum physics and plasma chemistry, supporting designs for innovations in communications technology.

See how AFOSR is leading the way in supporting designs for innovations in communications technology:

Video provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Youtube Channel

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Free Search Engine Connects Classrooms with Science and Technology

Filed under Education & Culture by jtozer on January 3, 2013 at 7:19 am {no comments}

An educational search engine funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has gone mobile with the release of an iPad app.

Gooru, a free search engine for learning that brings together science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational materials on the web-developed the Gooru Collections iPad app to bring thousands of assorted multimedia resources to teachers and students on the go.

Launched with initial investment from ONR, Gooru provides a one-stop shop for fifth- to 12th-graders and their teachers to discover and share high-quality videos, games, digital textbooks, quizzes and other interactive products related to STEM and eventually other subjects.

“ONR’s STEM efforts are looking for ways to inspire, engage and educate current and future STEM leaders,” said Cmdr. Joseph Cohn, ONR’s deputy director of research for STEM. “This technology promises to have a broad reach and would facilitate millions of students and teachers in developing a deeper understanding of a range of STEM disciplines.”

Last year, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced plans to strengthen the service’s future workforce by doubling the investment in STEM education over the next five years. The secretary shared this vision at a conference sponsored by ONR, which coordinates the Navy’s STEM efforts and offers a collaborative website at STEM2Stern.org.

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STEM In Real Life

Filed under Education & Culture, Videos by jtozer on November 28, 2012 at 7:02 am {no comments}

The STEM program, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, is geared toward fostering an interest in these fields in young people. United States Navy and the Office of Naval Research Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) efforts and specific programs give students an interesting look at how those skills are used in innovative, real world situations.

Check this out: