Archives: Episode

#50: Permafrost Microorganisms: Newly discovered species could aid U.S. military Arctic operations

March 17, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Basic Research, Military Engineering 0:37:28 0 Comments

ERDC researchers recently discovered 26 new species of microorganisms frozen in permafrost that was approximately 40,000 years old. Studying the properties of these new species could unlock capabilities with the potential to support U.S. military operations in extreme cold regions. We discuss this discovery with Dr. Robyn Barbato, a senior research microbiologist and the leader…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

 #49: Coastal Physical Modeling: Validating for Resilience and Defense

March 10, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering 0:35:56 0 Comments

Even in the age of supercomputing, engineers still demand tangible models to fully understand the complex interaction between coastal infrastructure and dynamic ocean forces. ERDC has nearly a century of expertise in building scaled representations of real-world systems and testing them to evaluate civil works and military project designs. We discuss ERDC’s coastal physical modeling…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#48: The Network Behind the Waterway: How LOMA keeps traffic moving

March 3, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works 0:24:04 0 Comments

Built on Automatic Identification System vessel broadcasts and supported by a nationwide network of fixed receiver sites and mobile trailer deployments, the Lock Operations Management Application (LOMA) helps lock operators and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts better understand vessel traffic, anticipate delays and communicate changing conditions to mariners. Dr. Marin Kress of ERDC’s Coastal…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#47: From the Frontlines to the Homefront: Battlefield Damage Assessment Tool is helping with natural disaster response

February 24, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Geospatial Research and Engineering, Installations and Operational Environments, Military Engineering 0:26:08 0 Comments

What if a tool designed for combat could become a lifeline in the wake of natural disasters? The Battlefield Damage Assessment Tool, a system that provides rapid analysis in combat environments, has been deployed to help first responders allocate key resources more efficiently following wildfires and hurricanes. We discuss the technology and its development with…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#46: Building Capacity for Discovery: Craftsmen, technicians work behind the scenes to bring ERDC research to life

February 17, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Military Engineering 0:29:45 0 Comments

We are exploring a pair of unsung teams whose efforts magnify ERDC’s research capabilities. That includes three fabrication shops where master craftsmen – welders, machinists and model makers – turn research concepts into a tangible reality. Meanwhile, ERDC’s Directorate of Public Works, or DPW, is responsible for maintaining the organization’s facilities and infrastructure – including…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

 #45: Robot coyote prototype blends engineering with natural world expertise

February 10, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Military Engineering 0:36:22 0 Comments

Bird strikes are a persistent and costly threat to aviation safety. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 13,000 strikes are reported in the U.S. each year, costing hundreds of millions in damages and endangering both civilian and military aircraft. We are joined by ERDC’s Dr. Jake Jung and Dr. Brian Washburn with the…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#44: Frontline Robotics: Enabling safer execution of one of the Army’s most dangerous tasks

February 3, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Military Engineering 0:40:15 0 Comments

Combat engineers perform some of the military’s most dangerous duties, from breaching obstacles and clearing minefields to constructing front-line defensive positions while under enemy assault. ERDC’s Robotics for Engineer Operations – or REO – program is helping them do so safely. REO develops robotic capabilities that allow combat engineers to operate from safe standoff distances….

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#43: Strengthening the joint force with mechanics-based pavement innovation

January 27, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Military Engineering 0:27:41 0 Comments

When most people think about the military being ready for the fight, they picture aircraft and vehicles, not the pavements beneath them. We talk with Dr. Jeremy Stache, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, about why pavement science is essential to military mobility and power projection. Topics include the direct connection…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#42 Constructing AI’s Future

January 20, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Engineered Resilient Systems, Military Engineering, Power of ERDC 0:40:23 0 Comments

Artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction. Today, AI is powering critical processes across the Department of War and serving as a force multiplier throughout the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ military and civil works portfolios. In this episode of the Power of ERDC podcast, Dr. Robert Moser, director of ERDC’s Information Technology Laboratory, discusses…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

#41: Antarctic Expertise: ‘Explorer’ has helped shape, advance cold regions engineering

January 13, 2026 Christopher Kieffer Civil Works, Military Engineering, Power of ERDC 0:30:15 0 Comments

George Blaisdell’s career is one for the record books. His contributions to engineering in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments are legendary, but for a man with more than 30 trips to Antarctica, the work is far from over. Today’s guest is Blaisdell, a research civil engineer with ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering…

Read More

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

To receive ongoing updates and notifications on new episodes, please sign up and we’ll make sure to keep you in the loop!

    ERDC Podcast Logo Option-Final

    Harness the Power of ERDC at ERDCInfo@usace.army.mil

    Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Globe Linkedin
    Recent Episodes
    Pages
    Official website of the Power of ERDC podcast