Armed with Science

Jennifer Ouellette, director of the National Academy of Sciences' Science and Entertainment Exchange, and Jamie Paglia, co-creator and executive producer of the SyFy Channel’s EUREKA, will discuss their experiences connecting the entertainment industry with top scientists and engineers to bring the reality of cutting-edge science to engaging storylines. The Science & Entertainment Exchange bridges this gap and addresses the mutual need of the two communities by providing the credibility and the verisimilitude upon which quality entertainment depends. Spanning the range of science topics, from insects to military science to extraterrestrial life and the mysteries of the ocean, The Exchange can find experts to identify and effectively portray the science details that complement a storyline. By constructing an informational nexus between science and entertainment, The Exchange is able to facilitate a valuable connection between the two communities.The Science and Entertainment ExchangeThe Exchange on TwitterEUREKA Website EUREKA blogS.A.R.A.H. on TwitterThe appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transcript

Dr. George Doschek, head of the Solar Terrestrial Relationships Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and Dr. Russell Howard, astrophysicist at NRL, join us for a discussion of solar physics research. Solar events such as flares and coronal mass ejections have potentially damaging effects on such diverse things as space-based operations, communication and navigation systems, and electrical power grids. The goal of the solar physics research program at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is to develop a fundamental physical understanding of varying solar phenomena, the radiative and particulate emissions associated with the phenomena, and the behavior of the heliosphere, and the ionospheric and thermospheric components of the Earth's atmosphere in response to the phenomena.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transscript Naval Research LaboratorySolar Physics Branch

The Naval History and Heritage Command Underwater Archaeology Branch addresses issues related to underwater research, including the science and technology used to locate and study wrecks, recover artifacts, restore and protect them.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transcript Underwater Archaeology BranchNaval History and Heritage CommandWATCH: Artifacts from the Underwater Archaeology lab

The Defense Department Cyber Crime Center (DC3) has conducted their DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge for the last 4 years to identify and recognize the Top Guns in the community and solve real-world challenges that digital forensic examiners face every day. The real-world cases could be the forensic examination of a terrorist's laptop, the artifacts of a sophisticated intrusion by an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) into a critical infrastructure system, the desktop of a suspected spy, or to identify the producer of child abuse images. As technology proliferates into every aspect of daily life, the crucial evidence that proves or disproves an allegation may be found in a desktop computer at work or home, a GPS reciever, wrist watch, thumb drive, CD, DVD, cell phone, camera, or game system. Jim Christy (SA Ret), director of Future Exploration for DC3, will discuss why he created the contest and the future plans for the Challenges. Curt Barnard, a Cyber Operations master's student at the Air Force Institute of Technology and one of this year's Challenge winners, will discuss his experiences in the competition and his interest in digital forensics.DoD Cyber Crime Center(DC3)DC3 Digital Forensics ChallengeThe appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transcript

For almost 60 years, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) has expanded the horizon of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force’s basic research program. The resulting accomplishments have led to the creation of numerous revolutionary capabilities, which have been the result of a continuous search to identify and fund exceptional talent working on the frontiers of science. The many AFOSR-funded breakthroughs throughout its history have been the cornerstones in critical areas that directly support the Air Force mission; from lasers and stealth to space weather and self-healing materials. Dr. Brendan Godfrey, director of AFOSR, will discuss the organization’s plans for continued success and the development of the next generation of outstanding scientists and engineers throughout the world.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transcript AFOSR HomepageAFOSR on Twitter

Dr. Andy Young, chief of the Military Nutrition Division at the US Army Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), and Mr. Gerry Darsch, director of the Combat Feeding Program at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, will discuss how military organizations work together to provide Soldiers healthy, good-tasting, sustainable, and nutritionally sound combat rations.Read Transcript USARIEM homepageUSARIEM Publications and DownloadsUS Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Ft. Detrick, MDNatick Soldier Systems Center, Natick, MANatick Soldier Research Development & Engineering Center, Natick, MACombat Feeding ProgramMilitary NutritionThe appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Dr. Robert Heinssen, acting director of Division of Services and Intervention Research at the National Institute of Mental Health, will discuss the largest study of suicide and mental health among military personnel ever undertaken--the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members (Army STARRS). Suicide rates among Army personnel have risen substantially since the beginning of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan despite major surveillance and intervention efforts introduced by the Army. With $50 million in Army funding, NIMH investigators aim to identify risk and protective factors for suicide among Soldiers and provide a science base for effective and practical interventions to reduce suicide rates and address associated mental health problems.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site.Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members Read Transcript

In its 50th year of operations, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) provides tropical cyclone reconnaissance, forecasts and warnings in the 110 million square miles encompassed by the Pacific and Indian Oceans for the U.S. Department of Defense. LCDR Jeremy Callahan, the JTWC Operations Officer, will discuss the basics of tropical meteorology along with how the Joint Typhoon Warning Center is able to complete their mission with the use of the latest weather satellite technology, improvements in computer modeling, and through partnerships with other agencies.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site. Joint Typhoon Warning Center Read Transcript

Small embedded transducers gathering sound-wave information are delivering real-time vehicle armor health monitoring systems that could eventually help protect our Nation’s warfighters. Dr. Thomas Meitzler, scientist at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), will discuss how this sensor-enhanced armor could provide Soldiers with better situational awareness.U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC)TARDEC on Twitter Read Transcript The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, of the products or services advertised on this site.

Ron Meyers, quantum physicist at the Army Research Laboratory, will discuss a new way of seeing objects that were once hidden from sight. He and his team are credited in taking quantum ghost imaging from a physics curiosity and making it a discipline with many applications. Through computing the quantum effect of objects, this “ghost image” has the ability to appear not by actually seeing it, but by calculating the light patterns coming from it. Using virtually any light source, from a fluorescent bulb, lasers, or even the sun, quantum ghost imaging can give a clearer depiction of objects by eliminating atmospheric conditions that conventional imaging can’t. Army Research Laboratory The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site. Read Transcript

Dr. Cynthia Lundgren, chief of the Electrochemistry Branch in the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate at Army Research Laboratory, will discuss fuel cell technology that has the potential to lower the weight burden carried by soldiers by lessening the number of batteries that they carry for missions lasting longer than 24 hrs.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site. Army Research Laboratory Read Transcript

Dr. Barry Spargo, head of the Chemical Dynamics and Diagnostics Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory, will discuss research options that show great promise for providing new sources of power and energy for force mobility and reducing dependence on domestic and foreign fuels. Energy is an essential component in the protection of vital interests in an interconnected and uncertain world. As global first responders, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps rely on readily available, reliable sources of energy to perform a variety of missions, and the vulnerability of energy supplies could jeopardize naval forces' ability to support forces afloat and ashore. The Department of the Navy's energy strategy aims to decrease U.S. naval forces’ dependence on foreign fuel sources. Science and technology investments will provide many solutions.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site.Naval Research Laboratory Read Transcript

Col. Dave Belote, commander of the 99th Air Base Wing, will discuss one of the Air Force's most ambitious green initiatives, the Nellis Air Force Base Solar Array, which is comprised of more than 72,000 solar panels containing 6 million solar cells. The Nellis Solar Array took only three years of planning and 26 weeks to complete, and debuted as North America's largest renewable venture. The project, which was completed in December 2007, represents a public-private partnership between the Air Force, Sunpower Corporation, Nevada Power Company and MMA Renewable VenturesThe appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site. Nellis Air Force Base Solar Array Read Transcript

Barbara McQuiston, Special Assistant for Energy at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), will discuss DARPA's comprehensive research and development effort aimed at creating technologies that can lead to tactical energy independence. DARPA's goal is to generate cost-effective alternative energy technologies for the military by addressing energy generation, conversion, control, and conservation from sustainable sources. By addressing the military's own energy needs and security, we can contribute to larger solutions that are relevant to us all. The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Read Transcript

Students enrolled in Defense Department schools deserve and need the best science education possible, one that enables them to fulfill personal ambitions and career goals in an ever-changing world. The challenge is enormous and meeting it is essential. Ms. Kim Day, Chief of Science at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA), and Dr. Marc Mossburg, Chief of Curriculum at DoDEA, will discuss the critical factors that help students achieve in science: high quality science curricula, competent and knowledgeable teachers who can integrate instruction with assessment, education policies that enhance and support learning, classrooms with ready access to technology, and a commitment to both equity and excellence. They will also discuss the DoDEA Science Program, which offers courses for students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve, including 19 specific secondary science courses offered in traditional and virtual classrooms.The appearance of advertising on this Web site, does not constitute endorsement by the (Department of Defense), of the products or services advertised on this site. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Read Transcript