Assessment of the In-House Laboratory Independent Research at the Army's Research, Development, and Engineering Centers (2020) / Chapter Skim
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2 Chemistry
2 Chemistry
Pages 15-28
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From page 15... ...
ARMAMENT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING CENTER Project: Investigations in Glyoxal Condensations This project focuses on the development of cheaper and more efficient synthetic routes for the production of a specific (classified) caged nitramine.
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From page 16... ...
The possibility of complementing synthetic work with theoretical calculations was discussed during the review, and it became clear that the application of computational tools could help determine reaction pathways and associated energy barriers, which, in turn, could provide fundamental insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms. Identifying alternative, cost-effective synthetic pathways for the production of caged nitroamines will be particularly beneficial to the Army, enabling widespread use of these materials in emerging technologies, such as amorphous explosives and additive manufacturing.
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From page 17... ...
COMMUNICATIONS–ELECTRONICS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING CENTER Project: Enhanced Electrochemical Couple Through sp3d2 Hybrid Covalent Bond Stabilization This project aims to enhance the electrochemical performance of MnO2-based cathode materials of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries through the application of the sp3d2 hybrid covalent bond theory.
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From page 18... ...
Recommendation: CERDEC should consider exploring simulation approaches that could guide ongoing experimental efforts aimed at optimizing the mechanisms that can prevent manganese dissociation through hybrid covalent bond stabilization. Recommendation: CERDEC should consider publishing its research findings in peer-reviewed journals to maximize the impact of the research carried out in its laboratories.
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From page 19... ...
Recommendation: CERDEC should encourage its principal investigators to interact more in tensively with the battery-related research groups at the Army Research Laboratory and with the broader community of materials research outside of the Department of Defense laboratories. CERDEC Crosscutting Findings In two CERDEC projects, Enhanced Electrochemical Couple Through sp3d2 Hybrid Covalent Bond Stabilization and Improving Li-ion Cathode Materials Through Surface Modification and Enhanced Electrode Deposition, there appears to be a preference for filing patents and presenting at conferences as primary methods of disseminating findings.
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From page 20... ...
The relevance to the Army derives from the acquisition of fundamental knowledge that is key to the development of new and effective defense solutions that can keep the warfighter safe from chemical and biological threats. A molecular view of aerosol chemistry is extremely complex, with several aspects related to particle formation and growth, collision and coagulation behavior, and heterogeneous and multiphase processes on aerosol particles remaining poorly understood.
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From page 21... ...
Interfacing with researchers interested in different aspects of aerosol chemistry could advance the current understanding of both physicochemical properties and the behavior of aerosol particles at the molecular level. Recommendation: ECBC should continue to take advantage of its current collaboration with Clarkson University and also consider promoting interactions of its researchers with the broader scientific community through participation and research presentations at conferences, symposia, and workshops, as well as research periods in academic and other Army laboratories.
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From page 22... ...
TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING CENTER Project: Diesel Engine Heat Transfer Model Development at Military-Relevant Conditions This project focuses on understanding the fundamentals of in-cylinder heat transfer and the extent to which it can be reduced in diesel engines through the use of thermal barrier coatings on pistons and other in-cylinder surfaces. The program is experimentally based and has acquired an array of piston temperature measurements on four different pistons, with different thermal barrier coating thicknesses and surface finishes, for a range of engine operating conditions.
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From page 23... ...
The investigators are using CFD analysis to promote a deeper understanding of the fundamental phenomena affected by changing the test conditions, such as the effect of smoothing the surface of the thermal barrier coating. Like most experimental efforts, some of the data seem confounding -- for example, the observation that for the same engine operating conditions the metal substrate temperature for the thermal barrier coated–pistons increased relative to the non-coated piston.
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From page 24... ...
Recommendation: TARDEC should seek to publish its important findings on diesel engine heat transfer model development for military-relevant conditions as soon as is practical after completing the initial phase of this work. Project: Modeling Tribofilm Formation of Chemically Inert Nanoparticle and Oil Dispersions This project considers the effect of metal oxide nanoparticle additives in Poly-α-Olefin (PAO)
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From page 25... ...
The prior literature suggests that these benefits accrue over time and are a result of a nanoparticle-rich tribofilm that concentrates in the wear track and mediates physical contacts between metal components. Fundamental science questions related to the film formation process, including the roles played by nanoparticle dispersion in the base oil, surface chemistry, dispersion stability, and mass transport under the high interfacial loads in the wear track are of fundamental interest.
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From page 26... ...
The TARDEC project could benefit from more interactions with other RDECs and Army laboratories. For the first TARDEC project, Diesel Engine Heat Transfer Model Development at Military-Relevant Conditions, if the development of thermal barrier coatings in engines is successful, it will also be closely linked to advancements in materials and lubrication capabilities.
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From page 27... ...
. Recommendation: ARDEC, CERDEC, ECBC, and TARDEC should adopt a structured pro cess for mentoring and active engagement with researchers involved in the ILIR projects, which could include periodic meetings between ILIR researchers and senior scientists and external subject matter experts, poster sessions as part of the annual review, and regular ex ternal reviews of each RDEC's portfolio.
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From page 28... ...
Recommendation: To increase visibility of their research activities, ARDEC, CERDEC, ECBC, and TARDEC should consider organizing workshops and symposia open to external subject matter experts and should consider broader advertisement of the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship program.
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