ECBC researchers earn Federal Laboratory Consortium awards for interagency coordination

Researchers at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) were recently recognized for developing testing methods for low-volatility agent permeation (LVAP) in clothing and protective gear, and for pioneering a system to use 3D printing to produce tactical gear.

The researchers were recognized during an annual Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) conference that encourages the sharing of ideas and technology across government agencies. ECBC’s participation is coordinated by the Technology Transfer Office, which nominates award recipients.

“By leveraging our partnerships and learning from our peers, we can stay on the cutting edge of the chemical biological field and improve our work, thereby making the warfighter safer on the battlefield,” Amanda Hess, the technology transfer chief at FLC, said. “We’re thrilled that our researchers took home two awards. These awards bolster our reputation and reinforce our position as a world leader in the industry.”

Terrence D’Onofrio, an ECBC research chemist, was named the 2017 FLC MAR Excellence in Technology Transfer Award recipient for developing a contact-based method to quantify the permeation of low-volatility contaminants in clothing and protective gear.

“What I found was that that traditional, vapor-based methods for testing permeation were not suitable for such low-volatility contaminants and could yield unreliable and dangerously misleading results,” D’Onofrio said. “To solve this problem, I created a new technique called the LVAP test method and apparatus.”

The LVAP test method is used by numerous Department of Defense facilities to assess the potential contact hazard under environmental control and standardized contract pressure.

Meanwhile, a team of ECBC researchers earned the 2017 Interagency Partnership Award for collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on 3D-printable tactical gear.

The partnership was spawned by a RAMP MD, a coalition of businesses and government agencies that was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2014. Through the coalition, ECBC entered into an interagency agreement with ATF to develop 3D printing, scanning, interactive modeling, design, and manufacturing capabilities for tactical gear.