Podcast episodes

#62: Advanced Materials: Novel polymer research unlocks unique properties

June 10, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:38:01 0 Comments

From energy absorption to temperature resistance to self-healing, polymers hold vast potential. ERDC is combining its historic materials expertise with cutting-edge polymer research to unlock unique properties for the Warfighter and the nation. ERDC’s work is enabling advanced materials with diverse military and civil works applications, such as stopping projectiles, resisting corrosion and visualizing shockwaves….

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#61: ERDC collaboration with industry is accelerating operational energy capabilities

June 2, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:33:40 0 Comments

Modern military command and control units demand an unprecedented amount of power in the field, pushing traditional fuel resupply lines to their logistical limits and risking Warfighter lives. To confront this challenge, and overcome the risk to life and equipment, the Department of War and ERDC are accelerating the development of operational energy sources to…

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#60: Building Airfields at the Speed of Mission

May 26, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:27:00 0 Comments

In a contested environment, the ability to land, refuel and launch aircraft can determine mission success. Dr. Abby Cisko, a research mechanical engineer at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, is helping modernize how U.S. Forces build and sustain expeditionary airfields in austere conditions. Legacy airfield matting systems, like the decades-old AM2, remain effective but come…

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#59: Expedition ARCHIE: Water resilience for Arctic installations

May 19, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:28:55 0 Comments

Water is critical to life and essential for Warfighter operations. However, accessing it in frigid Arctic conditions can be a challenge. To meet this need, a portable water treatment system developed by ERDC was successfully demonstrated at the U.S. Department of War’s northernmost installation. The Deployable Resilient Installation water Purification and treatment System (DRIPS) supplied…

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#58: Building Energy Resilience in the Arctic & Elsewhere

May 12, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:21:17 Comments Off

As the Department of War increases its focus on the Arctic, ensuring our forces can operate effectively in one of the world’s harshest environments has become a critical priority. From energy and infrastructure to the simple challenge of keeping equipment from freezing, the region’s demands require new and creative solutions, including the Mobile Insulation System…

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#57: Transforming the Built Environment: ERDC team guides DOW, USCAE on cutting-edge techniques for building, maintaining facilities

May 5, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:37:02 Comments Off

Technological advancements are dramatically changing how facilities are designed, constructed and maintained. Given the rapid pace of change, it is important for the Department of War and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to stay updated on the latest advancements and promote consistent standards across their facilities, while also seeking new innovations to improve…

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#56: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Workshop helps researchers

April 28, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:21:43 Comments Off

ERDC has a long legacy of bringing together researchers from various disciplines to make new discoveries that no one could have found alone. That cross-laboratory, cross-disciplinary collaboration is one of ERDC’s greatest strengths, enabling engineers and scientists to tackle problems in innovative ways. However, with seven laboratories spread across four states, it requires intentional effort…

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#55: Testing the Future of our Nation’s Infrastructure

April 21, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:28:21 Comments Off

Once completed, a new ERDC model will fundamentally change the way navigation infrastructure components in our nation are designed, built and tested. The Hydraulic Structures Experiment and Validation Model, currently set to go into operation in 2028, will be a one-of-a-kind testbed, advancing and accelerating the revitalization of our nation’s waterways. On this episode, Dr….

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#54: A Forecasting Advantage: Improved weather models protect Soldiers & operations

April 14, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:27:38 Comments Off

Massive dust storms from the Gobi Desert pose a significant and unpredictable threat to military operations across the Indo-Pacific region. For years, forecast accuracy has been a challenge, with models often failing to account for dynamic conditions, like seasonal snowpack, that can intensify these hazardous events. On this episode, Dr. Ted Letcher, a member of…

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#53: Liquid Logistics: Securing the frontline power & water our military needs

April 7, 2026 Christopher Kieffer 0:32:09 Comments Off

On the modern battlefield, supplying essential power and water in austere environments is a major logistical challenge. The effort to quickly develop and deploy essential technologies to provide these “liquid logistics” is at the forefront of several ERDC research programs and projects. Leading that effort are the world-class research teams at ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research…

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Podcast episodes

#62: Advanced Materials: Novel polymer research unlocks unique properties

#61: ERDC collaboration with industry is accelerating operational energy capabilities

#60: Building Airfields at the Speed of Mission

#59: Expedition ARCHIE: Water resilience for Arctic installations

#58: Building Energy Resilience in the Arctic & Elsewhere

#57: Transforming the Built Environment: ERDC team guides DOW, USCAE on cutting-edge techniques for building, maintaining facilities

#56: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Workshop helps researchers

#55: Testing the Future of our Nation’s Infrastructure

#54: A Forecasting Advantage: Improved weather models protect Soldiers & operations

#53: Liquid Logistics: Securing the frontline power & water our military needs

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#61: ERDC collaboration with industry is accelerating operational energy capabilities

#59: Expedition ARCHIE: Water resilience for Arctic installations

#57: Transforming the Built Environment: ERDC team guides DOW, USCAE on cutting-edge techniques for building, maintaining facilities

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