Join HDIAC and the Cyber Security and Information Systems Information Analysis Center (CSIAC) Tuesday, August 25, from 1300 to 1400 EDT for our next webinar presentation titled "Big Data and Big Implications for Bio-cybersecurity." In this webinar, Professor James Giordano of Georgetown University Medical Center, and Senior Fellow in Biosecurity, Technology, and Ethics at the US Naval War College describes the uses and value of big data and cyber-capabilities in bioscience and biotechnology; addresses the national security, intelligence, and defense applications of these tools and methods; illustrates vulnerabilities in these systems' infrastructures and functions, and posits the importance and necessity of bio-cybersecurity as a multi-organizational posture and enterprise.
Series: HDIAC Webinars
HDIAC offers free webinars on a regular basis with experts in the technical subject areas of Alternative energy, Biometrics, CBRN Defense, Cultural Studies, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Defense & Security, Medical, and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
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Small Nuclear Reactors – Project Pele
Join HDIAC Thursday, August 13, from 1100 to 1200 EDT for our next webinar presentation titled "Small Nuclear Reactors - Project Pele." The Defense Science Board has identified energy as one of the main enablers of future military operations and has noted that military energy usage could grow significantly in the near future, outpacing improvements to alternative energy sources. In March of 2020, the Pentagon issued several contracts to facilitate a design work “competition” for mobile, small nuclear reactors and the winning prototype will potentially be forward deployed with forces outside the United States. The project is managed through the Strategic Capabilities Office’s “Project Pele” which was formed to ensure the safe development of mobile and advanced nuclear microreactors for a variety of DoD missions. Desired features for the new reactors include quick set-up, shut-down, and the ability to facilitate rapid movement by road, sea, air, or train. This prototyping project will ensure that critical functions remain operational regardless of the status of the local power grid and allow users to combat physical or cyber espionage from weak grids.
Power Beaming & Space Solar Innovation
Wireless power beaming is the transmission of electrical energy without a physical link. In a wireless power transmission system, a transmitter device, driven by electric power from a power source, transmits power across space to a receiver device, which extracts power from the field and supplies it to an electrical load. The technology of wireless power transmission can eliminate the use of the wires and batteries, thus increasing the mobility, convenience, and safety of an electronic device for users. In this presentation, Dr. Jaffe will present the visions for power beaming and space solar, and delve into their technical, regulatory, and economic challenges and opportunities.
Flash Blindness
This webinar discusses the risk of retinal burns or flash blindness to friendly troops following nuclear weapon use. In order to understand this threat, one must have a fundamental understanding of how the eye reacts to extremely luminous objects, considerations for the environment and time of day, and thermal effects of nuclear weapons. Historically, this has been a heavily studied topic, however previous studies have applied the question to pilots and aircrew operating at cruising altitude. Additionally, there are some counterintuitive aspects of the problem involving the inverse-square law applied to the weapon output and how yield influences the potential for eye injury. For planners, modelers, and subject matter experts, it is extremely important to understand the assumptions and technical aspects of the problem set in order to provide safe separation distances to servicemembers on the battlefield.
Nuclear Power for the Modern Grid
Electric power production in the United States faces challenges on several fronts. This includes the near-term retirement of aging coal-fired power plants, grid stability challenges arising from increased penetration of variable power generators, regional energy imbalances, and the need for more carbon-free power to meet government mandates. The reliability and resilience of power production systems are also gaining attention and thought must be given to hardening power generation systems against natural events such as severe weather events and the potential for man-made events such as aircraft impact, cybersecurity attacks, or electro-magnetic pulses. This webinar explores nuclear power and small modular reactors and discusses associated implementation challenges as part the US transformation to a 21st century power grid.
CBRN Survivability
In this webinar, Mr. Mark Diglio, the US Army’s CBRN Survivability Program Manager, discusses the growing CBRN threat, CBRN survivability acquisition policy/requirements, renewed US Army priorities for CBRN survival, rapid acquisition initiatives, development considerations for survivability, mission critical concerns, and future survivability considerations.
Advancing Forensic DNA Analysis in Support of DoD Missions
Forensic DNA analysis has advanced significantly within the last 5 years and developments are beginning to be incorporated that will further push the boundaries of forensic science. By harnessing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the entire genome, forensic investigations are now being solved with the aid of innovative technologies developed by Parabon under DoD research contracts, many of which are now in use by the DoD. In this presentation, Dr. Ellen Greytak will use real life case studies to provide an overview of new forensic technologies such as DNA phenotyping, distant kinship analysis, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and forensic genetic genealogy, discussing the technologies, their use, and their application to the DoD.
Silicon Carbide Thyristor Development to Optimize High-Power System SWaP
This presentation will report on recent analysis of the turn-on speed and dI/dt capability of the n-type SiC thyristors as compared to previously reported 15 kV SiC IGBTs and 15 kV p-doped SiC thyristors. Performance metrics will be described as power density vs. switching frequency and power transmitted vs. power dissipated within the device.
Plug Into NREL’s Resilient CUBE
This webinar presents an overview of the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) Consolidated Utility Base Energy (CUBE), a mobile and flexible hybrid power generation system that converts energy from different sources - solar panels, batteries, generators, and host grid power - into tactical electricity, improving the efficiency and reliability of power for the military’s forward operating bases. Validation tests have shown that the technology can achieve up to 30% savings in fuel use, thereby helping to reduce the number of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who are required to transport fuel across dangerous territory.
Science and Technology of Radiation Detection
In this webinar, Chief Warrant Officer 3 US Marine Corps (Retired) Kerry O’Connell, Senior Training Manager, CBRNE/HAZMAT at the Guardian Centers of Georgia, provides an overview of the science and technology used in radiation detection and response. The presentation will start with an overview of basic radiation terminology, types of meters, and types of ionizing radiation before covering decontamination principles, techniques, and radiation dose understanding.
