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  • Chemo-Electrochemical Evolution of Cathode–Solid Electrolyte Interface in All-Solid-State Batteries

    Abstract: The stability of the interface between the cathode and the solid electrolyte (SE) has been found to be a key determinant of solid-state battery (SSB) performance. While interfacial failure from electro-chemical cycling has been studied, temperature effects on the chemical and electrochemical evolution of interface properties are not well-understood. We utilize a dense additive-free LiCoO2 cathode, which provides controlled morphology and crystallography, and well-known high voltage halide SEs (Li₃InCl₆ and Li₃YCl₆) to eliminate the need for cathode coating to explore the nature of interface deterioration induced by operating at up to 100 °C. By promoting temperature-induced accelerated interfacial failure, we show that at elevated temperatures (>60 °C) and higher states of charge, a significant chemo-electrochemical contribution to interfacial resistance results in rapid cell performance degradation. Our findings show that beyond the well sought-after SE electrochemical voltage stability, the atomic-scale restructuring of the cathode surface interfaced with the SE must be considered when designing stable interfaces.

  • A Bellwether for Microplastic in Wetland Catchments in the Great Lakes Region

    Abstract: This study is intended as a bellwether for the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in Great Lakes wetlands. In 2020, sediment, surface water, and atmospheric deposition samples were collected from wetland catchments in or near five National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in the Great Lakes region: Horicon-WI, Seney-MI, Shiawassee-MI, Ottawa- OH, and Montezuma-NY. Sediment and surface water samples were taken from river, stream, and canal inflows and outflows to and from wetland areas. Atmospheric deposition samples were collected in carboys placed near established rain gauges. These sample sites were chosen as indicators of MP deposition into and out of the region’s wetland systems. MPs were extracted from each sample, enumerated, and categorized by particle morphology and polymer type. Average MP particle abundances in the sediment and surface water samples ranged from 344 to 538 particles kg⁻¹ (dry weight) and 2–68 particles m⁻³, respectively. Atmospheric MP deposition ranged from 5.8 to 22.6 particles m⁻² d⁻¹. Fibers were the most abundant MP particle type found in each sample type (sediment, surface water, and atmospheric deposition), followed by fragments. These results suggest that input and retention of MPs are pervasive in the Great Lakes region and surrounding wetland areas.

  • Prediction of Waterborne Freight Activity with Automatic Identification System Using Machine Learning

    Abstract: This paper addresses latency issues related to publicly available port-level commodity tonnage reports. Predicting commodity tonnage at the port-level, near real time vessel tracking data is used with historical WCS with a machine learning model. Commodity throughput is derived from WCS data which is released publicly approximately two years after collection. This latency presents a challenge for short-term planning and other operational uses. This study leverages near real time vessel tracking data from the AIS data set. LSTM, TCN, and TFT machine learning models are developed using the features extracted from AIS and the historical WCS data. The output of the model is the prediction of the quarterly volume of commodities at port terminals for four quarters in the future. Uncategorized and Categorized models were developed. The uncategorized outperformed the categorized based on the Mean Absolute Percentage Error. The uncategorized LSTM model has the highest accuracy. Results show the model has higher accuracy for port terminals that handle a specific type of vessel, compared to the port terminals handling more than one vessel type. The application of the model enables port authorities and stakeholders to make short-term capacity expansion and infrastructure investment decisions based on commodity volume.

  • Liz Suarez earns prestigious award for disaster recovery efforts

    Internal Review Office Chief, Liz Suarez, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, was recently selected as the George A. Sullivan Award recipient due to her efforts during hurricane disaster recovery operations, where she ensured improvements for the Blue Roof missions were implemented and for her fieldwork to improve operations during debris missions.

  • Mapping the Future: How wetland mitigation banking balances conservation and progress

    Deep in the heart of the Brosnan Forest located in Dorchester County, towering longleaf pines stretch across the vast 14,400-acre ecological preserve. The air thickens with the scent of pine needles as damp soil softens underfoot. A cacophony of squawks, chirps and calls echo through the air. In constant battle with the glaring and looming sun above, a team of regulatory specialists from the Charleston District push through and navigate the habitat terrain by foot on a crucial mission.

  • Four ERDC researchers earn DoD SMART awards

    Four researchers in two laboratories at ERDC were recently awarded the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholar & Mentor of the Year Awards. The recipients are scholar Dr. Andrew Groeneveld and mentor Dr. Michael “Wes” Trim, both with the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), and scholar Dr. Andrew Jin and mentor Dr. Igor Linkov, both with the Environmental Laboratory (EL).

  • New York District Honors 250 Years of Army Engineering Excellence

    NEW YORK – As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marks its 250th Anniversary in 2025, the New York District proudly joins in celebrating a legacy of engineering excellence that dates back to the Continental Congress’ appointment of the first Army engineers on June 16, 1775.

  • Army Corps of Engineers waives day use fees at recreation areas in observance of Army Corps of Engineers’ Birthday and Juneteenth Celebration

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will waive day use fees at its more than 2,600 USACE-operated recreation areas nationwide in observance of the USACE birthday, June 16, and Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19.

  • USACE Day Use Fees waived June 16 and June 19

    This year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue its tradition of waiving all day use fees

  • Caribbean District Prepares for Hurricane Season with TTX

    To prepare for this year’s potential onslaught of storms, the Caribbean District held a Hurricane Tabletop Training Exercise (TTX) on June 11, 2025, at Fort Buchanan. In attendance were district leaders, program managers and members of the Emergency Operations Management team. Also in attendance were leaders from across the Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division providing technical support.