Engineer Research and Development Center News Releases

FIMOFs: Fiber-Integrated Metal–Organic Frameworks through Electrospinning

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:29:00 GMT

Abstract: Green synthesis plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability within materials science. This study explores the integration of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), obtained through green synthesis, using an electrospinning post-processing technique to develop MOF-based composite materials. The resulting novel multifunctional composites demonstrate enhanced stability and functionality, compared to their control counterparts. The integration of four types of MOFs into an electrospun fiber network was investigated using a specific polymer solution. Characterization and preliminary adsorption studies were conducted to elucidate the chemistry, morphology, and adsorptive capabilities of the resulting MOF composites. Electrospinning MOFs into polymer fibers improved their stability and dye removal capabilities. More specifically, optimization of MOF-to-polymer ratios and processing conditions yielded composites that are thermally stable, with modified surface area and porosity. Post-processing MOFs resulted in a fiber diameter increase of 44 and 109%, enhancing the composites by providing more MOF active sites and improved mechanical strength. Zirconium-based post-processed MOFs demonstrated superior dye removal, different from the copper-based dyes. Electrospinning technology has demonstrated significant potential in the fabrication of high-performance multifunctional MOF composites. This has helped to create advanced sustainable composites with tailored properties, paving the way for more targeted and efficient applications. The applications of these composites show promise for military engineering where durable, light weight, and multifunctional materials are critical in contributing to improved performance, operational efficiency, and safety.

GREAT v1.0: Global Real-time Early Assessment of Tsunamis

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:26:00 GMT

Abstract: We introduce a tsunami warning technology towards a global real-time analysis. The technology is based on the analysis of acoustic signals generated together with the tsunami, due to the compression of the water layer. The acoustic signals propagate much faster than the tsunami and thus can be recorded at hydrophone stations, which in turn enables the analysis in real time. The presented technology comprises a collection of models that have been integrated into a software with the goal to make it operational and to complement efforts by warning centres and provide a more reliable assessment, globally. The main models that were integrated into the software are presented and briefly discussed. Test cases performed by the software are compared with DART buoy observations, showing satisfactory agreement, though discrepancies arise in particular at far distances and locations separated by land. The calculation time of a full global-scale analysis is in the order of tens of seconds on a standard multi-core machine, without reliance on pre-computations, making it an appropriate real-time forecast.

Engineer Research and Development Center Process Automation System (E-PAS) Database Checker

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:24:00 GMT

Abstract: The purpose of this document is to specify the software requirements, architecture, and design for the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Process Automation System (E-PAS) Database Checker, a tool that monitors the E-PAS database and provides notifications based on its size. This document is designed for the software engineers and developers maintaining Database Checker and is intended to aid them in understanding its architecture and underlying functionality.

Technical Regional Execution Center No Effect Table (TREC NET)

Press Operations — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:22:00 GMT

Abstract: The purpose of this document is to specify the software requirements, architecture, and design for the Technical Regional Execution Center (TREC) No Effect Table (NET) macro suite, a collection of automated software routines and functions developed to manage and operate the NET. This document is designed for the software engineers and developers maintaining the macro suite and is intended to aid them in understanding its architecture and underlying functionality.

Rapid Assessment of Airfield Pavements

Press Operations — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:06:00 GMT

Abstract: The US Navy identified pavement assessment shortfalls under its Facilities Shore Readiness (FSR) program. Two assessment needs were related to (1) rapidly assessing the condition of existing concrete structures such as roads, parking lots, and airfields of port facilities and (2) using nondestructive devices to determine pavement thickness. The project described in this report evaluated the efficacy of two technologies: WayLink Systems Corporation’s automated pavement condition surveys and the MIRA Shear Wave 3D Tomographer, which identify real-time pavement surface conditions and pavement thicknesses, respectively. These commercial off-the-shelf systems offer great potential value, especially when historical construction and maintenance data are unavailable. Test data for this project were collected on asphalt and concrete runways, taxiways, aprons, parking lots, and roads. The overall results indicated that automated pavement surveys are not currently ready for full implementation on airfield pavements. The MIRA tomographer had success in estimating pavement thickness and is recommended for implementation in pavement evaluations.

Development of High-Performance Cold Mix Asphalt for Asphalt Patching

Press Operations — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:48:00 GMT

Abstract: Cold mix asphalt (CMA) is commonly used to perform small asphalt patching repairs. It is readily available even when hot mix asphalt (HMA) is not due to distance from a plant or cold weather; it is convenient and can be kept on hand; and it can be used at ambient temperatures. Unfortunately, these advantages are generally offset by marginal performance, especially under heavy loads and at quick return-to-traffic times. For military airfields in particular, both logistical factors and adequate performance are critically important; typical CMAs cannot deliver both, and HMA is not always readily available. Consequently, the objective of this project was to develop a new high-performance CMA that combines convenience and logistical advantages of conventional CMA with the performance expected from HMA. This objective was met using an asphalt-modified polyurethane binder to design cold mix that far outperforms conventional CMA and rivals (exceeds, in some cases) HMA performance, based on both laboratory and full-scale field testing. This two-part material can be field mixed without special mixing equipment; once cured, it is highly elastic, exhibits little temperature sensitivity, and can withstand up to 300 passes of F-15E aircraft traffic with a 3 hr return-to-traffic time (1 in. rutting threshold).

Evaluation of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Response to Herbicides Using Unmanned Aerial System Imagery

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:59:00 GMT

Abstract: Water hyacinth is a highly invasive aquatic species in the southern United States that requires intensive management through frequent herbicide applications. Quantifying management success in large-scale operations is challenging with traditional survey methods that rely on boat-based teams and can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. In contrast, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) allows a single operator to survey a waterbody more efficiently and rapidly, enhancing both coverage and data collection. Therefore, the objective of this research was to develop remote sensing techniques to assess herbicide efficacy for water hyacinth control in an outdoor mesocosm study. Experiments were conducted in spring and summer 2023 to compare and correlate data from visual evaluations of herbicide efficacy against nine vegetation indices (VIs) derived from UAS-based red-green-blue imagery. Penoxsulam, carfentrazone, diquat, 2,4-D, florpyrauxifen-benzyl, and glyphosate were applied at two rates, and experimental units were evaluated for 6 wk. The carotenoid reflectance index (CRI) had the highest Spearman’s correlation coefficient with visually evaluated efficacy for 2,4-D, diquat, and florpyrauxifen benzyl (> −0.77). The visible atmospherically resistance index (VARI) had the highest correlation with carfentrazone and penoxsulam treatments (> −0.70), and the excess greenness minus redness index had the highest correlation for glyphosate treatments (> −0.83). CRI had the highest correlation coefficient with the most herbicide treatments, and it was the only VI tested that did not include the red band. These VIs were satisfactory predictors of mid-range visually evaluated herbicide efficacy values but were poorly correlated with extremely low and high values, corresponding to nontreated and necrotic plants. Future research should focus on applying findings to real-world (nonexperimental) field conditions and testing imagery with spectral bands beyond the visible range.

Automated Workflows for Airborne Lidar and Photogrammetry Snow Depth Analyses

Press Operations — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:57:00 GMT

Abstract: Lidar and photogrammetry techniques provide highly accurate methods for mapping snow depth distribution. However, postprocessing point clouds for snow depth estimation is more complex compared to other earth science applications. This paper presents ice-road-copters (IRC), an open-source Python toolkit that facilitates processing and georeferencing of lidar and photogrammetry point clouds. Case studies demonstrate the tool’s utility across different sensors and platforms over a complex mountainous study area. Results show that a well-configured digital elevation model (DEM) filter effectively removes most noise and outliers from point cloud data. The Simple Morphological Filter (SMRF) generally perform well for ground segmentation but optimal results across diverse terrains may require site-specific tuning, particularly of the elevation threshold and scalar parameters in more complex landscapes. Different methods, including manual depth measurements or snow-free features, can be used to coregister DEMs, reducing vertical errors, eliminating large bias and achieving comparable accuracy to using exposed control surfaces. Derived snow depth rasters showed strong agreement with in situ probe measurements—root-mean-square error (RMSE) of less than 16 cm. Overall, IRC simplifies the transformation of raw point clouds into high-resolution DEMs and value-added snow products, facilitating efficient multitemporal analysis to support military and hydrology applications.

Evaluation of Elevated Band Height for Basal Bark Triclopyr Applications to Schinus terebinthifolia

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:05:00 GMT

Abstract: Basal bark application involves applying an oil-soluble herbicide in an oil carrier to the lower 0 to 45 cm of woody stems. For triclopyr, basal bark application typically requires the butoxyethyl ester formulation; however, this cannot be applied when standing water is present, which is common in seasonally flooded wetlands. Recently, the intermediate oil and water-soluble triclopyr acid formulation was registered for use in aquatic sites, allowing for basal bark applications in wetlands where standing water is present. Recent studies indicated that flooding after basal bark treatment can result in triclopyr release to surface waters and subsequent non-target injury. Elevated band application height (i.e., treating a higher band on each stem) may reduce non-target injury potential; however, this modified application technique has not been well tested on woody invasive species. To evaluate this approach, a field study on Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) was conducted near Melbourne and Wimauma, FL, on well-established and juvenile rootstocks. Treatments included triclopyr acid at 17, 34, and 69 g L−1 applied in an oil carrier and treatment band heights of 0 to 45 cm and 61 to 107 cm from the groundline. At Melbourne, both band heights treated with 34 or 69 g L−1 resulted in 75% to 100% mortality of mature rootstocks. However, triclopyr applied at 17 g L−1 to the low and elevated band heights resulted in 70% and 11% mortality, respectively. All treatments resulted in 90% to 100% mortality at Wimauma, where the rootstocks were juvenile and much smaller. These findings indicate elevated band heights may be a useful approach for woody plant control and may support an effective management strategy in inundated wetlands that provides better prevention of non-target injury.

Examination of Analytical Shear Stress Predictions for Coastal Dune Evolution

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:50:00 GMT

Abstract: Existing process-based models for simulating coastal foredune evolution largely use the same analytical approach for estimating wind-induced surface shear stress distributions over spatially variable topography. Originally developed for smooth, low-sloping hills, these analytical models face significant limitations when the topography of interest exhibits large height-to-length ratios and/or steep, localized features. In this work, we utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine the error trends of a commonly used analytical shear stress model for a series of idealized two-dimensional dune profiles. It is observed that the prediction error of the analytical model increases compared to the CFD simulations for increasing height-to-length ratio and localized slope values. Furthermore, we explore two data-driven methodologies for generating alternative shear stress prediction models, namely, symbolic regression and linear, projection-based, non-intrusive reduced-order modeling. These alternative modeling strategies demonstrate reduced overall error but still suffer in their generalizability to broader sets of dune profiles outside of the training data. Finally, the impact of these improvements on aeolian sediment transport fluxes is examined to demonstrate that even modest improvements to the shear stress prediction can have significant impacts on dune evolution simulations over engineering-relevant timescales.

Demonstration of a Remotely Operated Vehicle for Inspecting Holt Lock and Dam

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:17:00 GMT

Purpose: This report describes the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center–Environmental Laboratory (ERDC-EL), Robotic Characterization of Battlefield and Operational Environments (RCBOE) Team’s application of a small inspection-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to inspect underwater structures at the Holt Lock and Dam located near Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Water Quality and Sediment Dispersal from Placement of Dredged Material over Former Shell Mining Beds in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Press Operations — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:15:00 GMT

Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to advance regional sediment management practices including Beneficial Use of Dredged Material (BUDM) to reduce dredging costs while improving outcomes for coastal communities and ecosystems. This report describes two field studies conducted to better understand sediment retention and water quality implications associated with in-bay strategic placement of dredged material within former oyster-shell mining areas within Mobile Bay, Alabama. Deployed instrumentation and periodic campaigns of bed and water quality sampling provided data prior to dredged-sediment placement through more than a year after placement. Bed sampling and acoustic sub-bottom profiling indicated that the dredged material deposit was spatially variable in thickness and composition. Placed sediment accumulated quickly, within hours of placement, followed by a 2–4 month period with relatively small adjustments. Beyond 6 months, bed elevation changes became stable at near-background levels. Water quality data indicated that impacts to dissolved oxygen and turbidity associated with the dredged material placement are minor and short-lived. Notably, all water quality parameters remained within the normal range of variability observed within the dynamic Mobile Bay ecosystem. Collectively, these sediment bed and water quality studies support future data driven BUDM decision-making within the Mobile Bay region.

Beach-fx Application Guide: A User’s Trail Guide to Beach-fx

Press Operations — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:59:00 GMT

Abstract: Beach-fx is a comprehensive analytical framework used for the evaluation of the physical performance and economic benefits of shore-protection projects related to beach nourishment. The model employs an event-driven Monte Carlo simulation of a project’s life cycle and tracks the physical and economic evolution of the beach. The computational architecture of Beach-fx is set up such that the model relies on external databases that are accessed at run time. There are three external databases: the Input Database (IDB), Output Database (ODB), and Shore Response Database (SRD). The IDB and SRD describe the coastal area under study, the environmental forcing that can impact the area, the structures in the area that are susceptible to damages, and estimates of the morphologic response to the environmental forcing. The ODB stores output data and statistics for each simulation. This document summarizes the steps necessary to prepare the external databases, build a Beach-fx study, and understand the results from model runs. The aim is to provide the Beach-fx user with a comprehensive guide that provides insight to the Beach-fx process from beginning to end.

Environmental Fate of Monosodium Methanearsonate (MSMA)—Part 1: Conceptual Model

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:29:00 GMT

Abstract: Monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), the sodium salt of monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), is used as a selective, broad‐spectrum contact herbicide to control weeds in cotton and a variety of turf. In water, MSMA dissociates into ions of sodium (Na+) and of MMA−, which is the herbicide's active component. Certain soil microorganisms can methylate MMA to dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) other microorganisms can demethylate MMA to inorganic arsenic (iAs). To predict the groundwater concentration of iAs that may result from MSMA application, the processes affecting the environmental behavior of MSMA must be quantiﬁed and modeled. There is an extensive body of literature regarding the environmental behavior of MSMA. There is a consensus among scientists that the fate of MMA in soil is controlled by microbial activity and sorption to solid surfaces and that iAs sorption is even more extensive than that of MMA. The sorption and transformation of MMA and its metabolites are affected by several factors including aeration condition, temperature, pH, and the availability of nutrients. The precise nature and extent of each of these processes vary depending on site‐speciﬁc conditions; however, such variability is constrained in typical MSMA use areas that are highly managed. Monomethylarsonic acid is strongly sorbed on mineral surfaces and becomes sequestered into the soil matrix. Over time, a greater portion of MMA and iAs becomes immobile and unavailable to soil microorganisms and to leaching. This review synthesizes the results of studies that are relevant for the behavior of MSMA used as a herbicide to reliably predict the fate of MSMA in its use conditions.

Natural vs. Genetically Engineered Microbiomes: Understanding Public Attitudes for Indoor Applications and Pathways for Future Engagement

Press Operations — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:27:00 GMT

Abstract: This study examines public preferences for natural microbiomes and support for genetically engineered (GE) microbiomes in the built environment, focusing on the demographic, sociographic, and attitudinal factors that inﬂuence these preferences. Using data from a nationally representative survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, we employed hierarchical regression analyses to assess the relative contribution of these variables. While demographic and sociographic factors explained limited variance, topic-speciﬁc attitudes, including positive perceptions of microbiome engineering’s potential to improve quality of life, were the most signiﬁcant predictors of support. Conversely, age, distrust in science, and perceived knowledge negatively inﬂuenced support for GE microbiomes, reﬂecting skepticism among some audiences. The ﬁndings highlight the potential of the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework to align the development of microbiome engineering with societal values and to address diverse public perspectives. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and communicators seeking to navigate the complexities of public engagement with emerging biotechnologies.

Automated Snow Cover Detection on Mountain Glaciers Using Spaceborne Imagery and Machine Learning

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:21:00 GMT

Abstract: Tracking the extent of seasonal snow on glaciers over time is critical for assessing glacier vulnerability and the response of glacierized watersheds to climate change. We present an automated snow detection workflow for mountain glaciers using supervised machine-learning-based image classifiers and Landsat 8 and 9, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope satellite imagery. We develop the image classifiers by testing numerous machine learning algorithms with training and validation data. The workflow produces daily to twice monthly time series of several glacier mass balance and snowmelt indicators from 2013 to present. Workflow performance is assessed by comparing automatically classified images and snow lines to manual interpretations at each glacier site. The image classifiers exhibit over-all accuracies of 92 %–98 %, κ scores of 84 %–96 %, and F scores of 93 %–98 % for all image products. The median difference between automatically and manually delineated median snow line altitudes is −31 m across all image products. The Sentinel-2 classifier produces the most accurate glacier mass balance and snowmelt indicators and distinguishes snow from ice and firn the most reliably. Although they are less accurate, the Landsat- and PlanetScope-derived estimates greatly enhance the temporal coverage of observations. The transient accumulation area ratio produces the least noisy time series, making it the most reliable indicator for characterizing seasonal snow trends. The temporally detailed accumulation area ratio time series reveal the timing of minimum snow cover conditions varies by up to a month between Arctic and midlatitude sites, underscoring the potential for bias when estimating glacier minimum snow cover conditions from a single late-summer image. Widespread application of our automated snow detection workflow has the potential to improve regional assessments of glacier mass balance, land ice representations within Earth system models, water resources, and the impacts of climate change on snow cover across broad spatial scales.

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Accumulation and Surface Roughness in Interior Greenland with a GNSS-IR Network

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:19:00 GMT

Abstract: The dry-snow zone is the largest region of the Greenland Ice Sheet, yet temporally and spatially dense observations of surface accumulation and surface roughness in this area are lacking. We use the global navigation satellite system interferometric reflectometry (GNSS-IR) technique with a novel, low-cost GNSS network of 12 stations in the vicinity of the ice sheet summit to reveal temporal and spatial patterns of accumulation of the upper snow layer. We show that individual measurements are highly precise, while the aggregate of hundreds of daily measurements across a large spatial footprint can detect millimeter-level surface changes and is biased by −2.7 ± 3.0 cm com-pared to a unique validation data set that covers a similar spatial extent to the instrument sensing footprint. Using the validation data set, we find that the reflectometry technique is most sensitive to the surrounding 4–20 m of the surface, with the GNSS antenna at a height of 1–2 m above ground level. Along with an exceptionally high accumulation rate at the beginning of the study, we also detect an across-slope dependence in accumulation rates at yearly timescales. For the first time, we also validate GNSS-IR sensitivity to meter-scale surface heterogeneities such as sastrugi, and we construct a time series of surface roughness evolution that suggests a seasonal pattern of heightened wintertime roughness features in this region. These surface accumulation and rough-ness measurements provide a novel data set for these critical variables and show a statistically significant relationship with occurrences of both high winds and precipitation events but only moderate correlations, suggesting that other processes may also contribute to accumulation and enhanced surface roughness in the interior region of Greenland.

EcoHydraulic Modeling to Inform Sustainable Sediment Management: A Priori Modeling of Reservoir Sediment Release to Estimate Geomorphic and Ecological Response

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:16:00 GMT

Abstract: With decreasing storage capacity and increasing operational costs in reservoir management, sediment release is considered a potential alternative to traditional dredging. However, passing sediment through reservoirs may have unexpected effects on downstream river morphology and ecosystem resources. This study uses numerical modeling and a conceptual ecological model to assess the relative effects of sediment load, stream flow magnitude, and grain size distribution in downstream river morphology and aquatic habitat in a case study system of the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers downstream of Tuttle Creek Reservoir, Manhattan, Kansas. The effects of sediment grain size, clearwater flushing rate, and backwater effects from the Kansas River were all found to be relevant in affecting sediment transport and deposition patterns. High-volume water/sediment releases were found to be most effective at emulating historical conditions. Additionally, sediment release was found to increase desirable physical habitat areas that have been lost in the channel. Clearwater flushing further increased the distribution of sediment to support physical habitat creation. These findings can inform sediment release management decisions regarding the timing, duration, and magnitude of sediment releases, particularly in relation to flows at the downstream confluence and for target ecosystem function goals.

Adsorption of the Microbial Exopolysaccharide from Rhizobium Tropici (ATCC 49,672) on Birnessite Facilitates Mn Reduction and Dissolution: Structural Interactions and Morphological Transformation

Press Operations — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:04:00 GMT

Abstract: The study addresses the broader question of how microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) can modulate the reactivity and stability of manganese (Mn) oxides in environmental systems. The objective of this study is to investigate the adsorption process of EPS from Rhizobium tropici on birnessite (MnO2) and mechanisms of induced Mn reduction and dissolution and its further transformation. EPS adsorption isotherms and kinetics on birnessite and the induced dissolution of birnessite were analyzed. Adsorption kinetics could best be described with the Parabolic Diffusion Model while EPS adsorption isotherm was best ﬁtted with the Freundlich model. Adsorbed EPS facilitated Mn reduction and dissolution, releasing Mn²⁺ into the solution. This was also conﬁrmed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results with the Mn-O vibrations, O–H groups and C = O carbonyl stretching. The pre-presence of EPS hindered the formation and growth of crystalline structure of birnessite and further hindered its transformation into more stable β-MnO2. The presence of Mn oxide signiﬁcantly aggregated EPS, forming large aggregates. This study reveals the importance of EPS in inﬂuencing both the adsorption behavior and the redox state of Mn, providing signiﬁcant insights into the interactions of EPS with birnessite in environmental systems.

Simulation of Dredged Material Placement in the San Francisco Bay Using a Multi-Dimensional Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport Model

Press Operations — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:55:00 GMT

Abstract: The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, has developed an Adaptive Hydraulics (AdH) 2D, hydrodynamic and sediment transport model for San Francisco Bay. This model supports the US Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, in informing navigation and sediment management decisions as part of the Regional Dredged Material Management Plan (RDMMP), which evaluates dredging methods and placement alternatives over a 20-year planning horizon. There is a need to assess the long-term fate of dredged material placed at in-bay sites to better understand associated benefits and potential impacts. This report documents the development, calibration, and validation of the AdH 2D model for conditions in 2022. The model was applied to simulate the multimonth dispersion and transport of dredged material from four sites. Model results demonstrate that sediment transport patterns are influenced by seasonal hydrodynamic forcing and grain-size composition, with coarser material forming stable deposits that persist over time. The findings of this study inform sediment management strategies under the San Francisco Bay RDMMP and support efforts to reduce navigation risks and enhance beneficial use opportunities. The study recommends field data collection to improve sediment characterization at placement sites and strengthen predictive modeling and planning efforts.