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  • Corps of Engineers reimagines barracks construction with mass timber material

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District, JBLM Army Garrison, and 1st Special Forces Group leadership joined together to celebrate the Department of War's largest-to-date construction project using mass timber structural materials during a groundbreaking ceremony, Dec. 12, 2025. The pilot program will evaluate the use of mass timber as the primary construction material in military construction projects and its effect on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, cost-effectiveness, and construction timeliness of similar projects.

  • Rooted in strength: JBLM barracks tap into Pacific Northwest’s timber legacy for new military construction era

    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, JBLM Army Garrison, and 1st Special Forces Group leadership joined together to celebrate the Department of War's largest-to-date construction project using mass timber structural materials during a groundbreaking ceremony, Dec. 12, 2025. The pilot program will evaluate the use of mass timber as the primary construction material in military construction projects and its effect on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, cost-effectiveness, and construction timeliness of similar projects.

  • US Army Water Reuse: 2023 Survey of Wastewater Reuse at US Army Installations

    Abstract: The US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USACE ERDC-CERL), partnered with the US Army Material Command (HQAMC G4) to collect information on water use and wastewater to understand water re-use at the installation level by distributing a water reuse questionnaire. From May to September 2023, ERDC-CERL compiled the 98 responses received from all Army installations and established the following baseline data for water reuse: the US Army produces 35.9 million gallons per day (MGD) of effluent, 30.4 MGD of which receives a minimum of secondary treatment making it potentially eligible for reuse, however the US Army currently only reuses 4.51 MGD. Current reuse practices save the Army up-wards of $751,849 every month in potable water cost offsets; however, the Army could potentially save approximately $4.3 million every month if they expanded their water reuse to its current full capacity (including re-use of effluent receiving secondary or tertiary treatment). This project will be foundational for continual studies of water reuse in the Army. It will aid in creating installation energy and water plans (IEWPs), in developing a proposed geospatial dashboard tool, and in further water reuse projects with other Department of Defense departments.

  • Alkaline Hydrolysis for Degrading the Emerging Munitions Contaminant Methylnitroguanidine and Regenerating Graphene Nanoplatelets for Sustainable Adsorption of Munition Compounds

    Abstract: Alkaline hydrolysis has proven to be an effective treatment technique for several emerging and legacy munition compounds. This study evaluates its effectiveness in degrading the emerging insensitive MC methylnitroguanidine in comparison to NQ. Additionally, the feasibility of regenerating graphene nanoplatelets following adsorption of MCs, including MeNQ, NQ, NTO, TNT, DNAN, and RDX, is investigated. This study is among the first to successfully evaluate MeNQ treatment and proposes a novel strategy to regenerate GnPs for further environmental remediation. Regeneration performance in high-pH solutions was compared with processes using a 30:70 solution of acetonitrile:water and reagent water alone to further determine pH- and solvent-based interactions. In high-pH solutions, NTO was desorbed via electrostatic repulsion, while the other MCs degraded, generating breakdown products consistent with previous studies and current findings. The aqueous ammonium produced during degradation may have been removed by GnPs. The organic-aqueous blend enhanced MC removal, with recovery largely correlating with aqueous solubility, though π-π interactions may have hindered desorption. Adsorption following desorption with these techniques resulted in higher capacities compared to systems using reagent water alone, where desorption aligned with adsorption isotherms. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into MeNQ treatment and the reuse of GnPs for sustainable water remediation.

  • Literature Review and Environmental Concerns Regarding Lithium-Ion Batteries

    Abstract: This study investigates the environmental and technical challenges associated with the production, use, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are critical components in consumer electronics and electric vehicles (EVs). As the demand for LIBs continues to grow, the concerns related to the mining and processing of key materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese are also increasing. The extraction and refining processes for these metals are energy-intensive and produce significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas emissions, toxic waste, and resource depletion. The review emphasizes the need for improved recycling technologies and sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental footprint of LIBs and secure a more sustainable supply chain for the future of clean energy storage solutions. This study also analyzes LIB components to assess the presence of environmentally hazardous metals and compounds. Advanced analytical techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed significant leaching of toxic elements and PFAS from battery parts, underscoring the environmental and health risks associated with improper disposal. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved recycling methods to mitigate these risks and enhance the sustainability of LIB use.

  • Investigation of Bioplastic Degradation for Military In-Field Applications Implementation of Sustainable Practices into the US Military for Rapid Biodegrading Polylactic Acid (PLA) Plastic in Compostable Environments

    Abstract: The Army Climate Strategy has identified goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach net-zero Army GHG emissions by 2050. Producing fossil-fuel-based plastics releases GHG emissions and plastic bottles are difficult to dispose, especially in contingency locations. Soldiers prefer hydrating with plastic water bottles, which leads to GHG emissions. This project investigates using bioplastics for water bottles. These bioplastics are produced from natural materials and can break down faster with alternative disposal methods, such as composting. Challenges include finding a material with a stable shelf life and the capability to hold water, but also one that that degrades with ease in the right composting environment. As part of this project, partners at the University of Minnesota are developing a new polylactic acid (PLA) material to fit the material properties needed for this application. Their research is ongoing. Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) researchers tested commercial PLA in calorimeter and incubator studies and with a full-scale demonstration of the commercial composting Sustainable Generation Mobile System. The PLA did not completely degrade, and testing showed mixed results on finished compost quality. Recommendations included continued testing, experimenting with other bioplastics, and changing compost feedstock variables.

  • Innovative Bioreactor Technology for Treating Industrial Residues

    The “Method for Treating Reducible Compound Residues Using Iron-Containing Bioreactor” provides a sustainable solution for managing industrial waste by utilizing iron’s unique properties in bioreactors. Filed in September 2017 and granted in September 2024, the patent was developed by two researchers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

  • ERDC Celebrates Milestone with GridStar® Flow Battery Installation at Fort Carson

    The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Operational Energy (OE) team is celebrating the construction and installation of the GridStar® Flow system, a redox flow battery solution designed for long-duration, large-capacity energy storage applications. The flow system is installed at Fort Carson, Colorado, and ERDC has led the technical evaluation and project management since 2022.

  • Operation renovation: Chinook hangar undergoes vital modernization efforts

    Originally built in the 1940s as a U.S. Navy Reserve facility, the Aviation Support Facility Olathe located in New Century, Kansas, is currently home to Bravo and Delta Companies, 7/158th General Support Aviation Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve. Supporting U.S. military missions across the nation and around the world, the units provide critical maintenance to a fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters and consist of the pilots and crew members who execute the mission.

  • Unified Facilities Criteria and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications for Sustainable Military Construction : Concrete, Asphalt, Wood, and Life-Cycle Assessment Perspectives

    Abstract: Construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, and wood are essential components for Department of Defense (DoD) Military Construction (MILCON) and construction for contingency operations around the world. From housing facilities, to airfields, to magazines and hardened structures, each of these materials fulfill numerous Army building applications. However, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stemming from the manufacturing, application, maintenance, and disposal of concrete and steel exact a significant climate burden. Thus, due to their pervasive use and commodity status, the advancement of sustainable concrete, asphalt, and wood materials are a critical driver for GHG mitigation. This report communicates a first step toward decarbonization-focused updates to UFC and UFGS by outlining major specifications related to concrete, asphalt, and wood with near- and long-term strategies to facilitate modernization. The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is poised to make a significant impact on the identification and integration of sustainable materials to meet regulatory goals for the re-duction of GHG emissions in MILCON. New guidance will be integrated into UFC and UFGS by leveraging unique re-search, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) capabilities in materials science, life-cycle assessment, and federal relationships with discipline working groups