Podcast: Power of ERDC

#30: Oil on Ice: Improving spill response in frigid regions

The environmental and economic toll of large-scale oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon incidents, can linger for decades. That’s why research into better techniques and technologies for rapidly responding to these disasters is critical. One aspect of oil spill response that requires particular attention is the effect of ice and frigid…

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#30: Oil on Ice: Improving spill response in frigid regions

The environmental and economic toll of large-scale oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon incidents, can linger for decades. That’s why research into better techniques and technologies for rapidly responding to these disasters is critical. One aspect of oil spill response that requires particular attention is the effect of ice and frigid…

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#28: Advanced manufacturing: Using 3D printing, new materials and optimized designs to produce large-scale components

As America’s civil works infrastructure facilities age beyond their initial design lives, so do the thousands of individual components that keep them functioning. These original components were often fabricated using vintage material and manufacturing methods, making them costly, burdensome and time-consuming to replicate. However, if one of these parts were to suddenly break, that failure…

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#11: Rescue Engineering

After a structural collapse disaster, the eyes of the public are intensely focused on search-and-rescue efforts. Less familiar is the work of a special team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) laboring behind the scenes to ensure the safety of those efforts. The USACE Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) program deploys specially trained…

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#10: DamBot

There are more than 8,000 major dams in the United States, and many of them are beyond their expected design life and require regular inspections and maintenance. The majority are embankment dams that feature outlet works structures that can be up to a half-mile long and that can be dangerous to inspect. Responding to a…

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#7: Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms occur in freshwater when aquatic microorganisms, called cyanobacteria, grow rapidly and sometimes release toxins that are dangerous to humans and aquatic life. Such events have been known to compromise drinking water reservoirs, disrupt recreation, shut down fisheries, and kill fish, birds and other aquatic species. And scientists largely agree that these events…

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#3: Cybersecurity

The importance of cybersecurity continues to increase, both as more functions become connected to the internet and as adversaries exploit cyberattacks as a weapon in future conflicts. From the SolarWinds Orion hack to the breach of a Florida water treatment plant, recent attacks have underscored the critical function cybersecurity plays to national security interests. ERDC…

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Podcast Deep Dive: Post-wildfire flood risk management

On Episode #1, we explored ways ERDC is helping the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local communities better prepare for the increased flooding risk that follows a wildfire. LISTEN TO PODCAST EPISODE Watch the video below to learn more about how ERDC is helping local communities reduce the risk of these destructive floods by…

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Engineering the Theater to Win During Multi-Domain Operations

More than 75 years ago, ERDC delivered innovative ways to support the war effort across multiple domains during D-Day. The contest on land, at sea, and in the air provided valuable lessons for the future of multi-domain operations. It illustrated the need to balance offensive striking power with operational reach. ERDC’s multi-lab, cross-functioning capability teams…

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USACE Civil Works R&D: Value to the Nation

Through its Civil Works missions the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supports the national economy, community resilience, and human and ecosystem health with focus on: Navigation, Flood and Coastal Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration. Inherent in these mission’s is the efficient and effective design, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of our nation’s vast portfolio of infrastructure…

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