Latest news with #OfficeofNavalResearch
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Integer Technologies, USM announce $25 million defense contract
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) – Integer Technologies and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) announced the Office of Naval Research awarded their team a $25 million ceiling contract, with a fully funded initial base period of $4.3 million. According to officials, the applied research contract supports the development of novel software to help the U.S. Navy maintain maritime dominance and increase its seabed warfare capabilities. Mississippi State unveils new ice cream flavors for 2026 The Intelligent Autonomous Systems for Seabed Warfare program will enhance underwater missions and data collection for unmanned vessels by improving their decision-making capabilities at the edge. Officials said this will allow unmanned vessels to adapt more effectively to changing environmental conditions and improve their ability to identify objects on the seafloor. This program will develop innovative technology for unmanned underwater systems that can autonomously make sense of large, high-dimensional data sets in real-time. As part of this program, Integer has established an office at USM's Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise Facility (Wicker Center) in Gulfport. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Boston Globe
30-06-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
Why a R.I. PhD candidate is studying seal whiskers for the US Navy
These days, her research, funded by the Office of Naval Research, focuses on seals – specifically their unique whiskers that allow them to locate objects in the water, rivaling sonar. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up 'I wanted to combine my love of the animal kingdom with my strong science aptitude,' Erickson said when asked about what led her to this kind of research. 'So I knew I wanted to do research that was doing animal locomotion stuff, like looking at how animals physically move through their environments.' Advertisement Erickson recently spoke to the Globe about her current research, her autism 'superpower,' and where she plans to set her sights next: Q. What can we learn from animals about the way they move? Erickson: Animals are the best engineers, like evolution is the greatest engineer that exists. They've evolved these mechanisms to improve their lives and make things easier for so many different tasks. So I think it's always very inspiring to look at what the animal kingdom has created to go about its life, and how we can use those things to tackle human challenges with our technology. Advertisement So what are you studying at Brown? I am getting my PhD in engineering and fluid and thermal science, and I am studying how seals use their whiskers to locate objects in water, and how that can be implemented in sensory tech for the Navy. How do seals do that with their whiskers? Seals, of the Phocidae family, have these very unique undulated geometry whiskers, and these whiskers are known to suppress vortex-induced vibrations in a flow, which allows them to have this high-sensitivity sensor… So I am looking at how these vibrations in these unique geometry whiskers can tell us what an upstream object is doing. Is there a very specific tech that this kind of research would benefit, in terms of a particular gadget or a form of a device? Right now, the prime sensing technique that is used for vehicles underwater is sonar. But sonar sends out signals that are very damaging to marine life – a lot of noise pollution in the ocean, which is dangerous to whales, other animals. And so this is a suggested alternative to that that would be more passive, so picking up on the wake trails of something instead of sending out a noise signal. Is there a stealth benefit to that? Certainly. With sonar, when you're sending out a signal, you're giving out information about your own position, whereas a passive sensor would not be giving away any information on your location, while still [being] able to pick up information about where something else in a flow is moving. Advertisement You've described your autism diagnosis as a 'superpower.' Has your experience with autism aided you in your research or how you work? And if so, how? Absolutely. Autism gives me challenges that are different than other people, but also gives me so many strengths that others don't have. One of those strengths goes way back to my great gifts in math, like when I was in middle school, I completed all of my high school math – I was taking college courses. I got to college, had completed all of my college math. I'm very, very quick picking up on things related to math and science. And that has certainly set me off down this career, working as a physicist, as an engineer, which all comes back to this strong fixation on mathematics as a kid and general aptitude for that. In general, a lot of my autism is characterized by these fixations, and I have learned how to channel these fixations for good and fixate on a goal, and then set out to achieve that goal. So I have set lofty goals for myself, but I fixate on those and get after them, and now I thinkthat is part of what has made me very successful in all areas of my life, including in my research currently. Speaking of goals, what do you hope to do when you finish your PhD in two years? I had gone into research and everything because I wanted to combine my love of animals with my love of science. But now, I have done that. I loved it. I'm interested in trying something new. I would love to combine my love of sports with my love of science, and really want to get into the sports equipment industry. I would love to do [research and development], especially if it was for something hockey related, since that is my biggest passion. But I definitely want to do research, and I think I just want to find a research project in [an] industry that I'm very passionate about and will keep me excited to be doing the work I'm doing. Advertisement The Boston Globe's weekly Ocean State Innovators column features a Q&A with Rhode Island innovators who are starting new businesses and nonprofits, conducting groundbreaking research, and reshaping the state's economy. Send tips and suggestions to reporter Alexa Gagosz at . Christopher Gavin can be reached at
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
BioAegis Therapeutics Announces US Navy Contract to Support Phase 2 Study of Recombinant Human Gelsolin, for Inflammasome-Driven Decompression Sickness (DCS)
Phase 2 proof-of-concept study for rhu-pGSN, a promising intervention across a spectrum of inflammatory diseases, to be studied as an intervention for the negative outcomes of decompression in SCUBA Divers NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioAegis Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech company at the forefront of innovative therapies for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, announces that it will conduct a Phase 2 study of rhu-pGSN for decompression sickness (DCS) under a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research to the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM). This work is the culmination of an extended collaboration with Dr. Stephen Thom, Professor of Emergency Medicine at UMSOM. The Company's portfolio is built around gelsolin, a highly conserved and critical immune regulatory protein which rebalances dysfunctional inflammation without suppressing immune function. Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Rhu-pGSNThe study, 'Rhu-pGSN to Mitigate Proinflammatory Responses to Decompression in Healthy SCUBA Divers,' NCT06216366 is being conducted under a contract with the Office of Naval Research with the University of Maryland. It will investigate the use of rhu-pGSN as a pre- or post-exposure intervention in healthy trained SCUBA divers exposed to controlled hyperbaric conditions. The study is designed to assess the impact of rhu-pGSN on key inflammatory responses and microparticle production associated with decompression. Decompression sickness occurs when inert gas bubbles form in the bloodstream and tissues due to rapid pressure changes, triggering an inflammatory cascade. Previous studies have shown that individuals with DCS exhibit depleted levels of plasma gelsolin and elevated levels of microparticles that contain inflammatory cytokines. In animal models, supplementation with rhu-pGSN both prevented and mitigated DCS-related complications. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll healthy trained SCUBA divers at a single site and expose them to a standardized hyperbaric protocol (30 meters of seawater for 35 minutes). Participants will be randomized into three groups to receive either pre-exposure or post-exposure rhu-pGSN, or placebo. The study will assess a broad range of outcomes including plasma gelsolin levels, inflammatory markers like IL-1β, gas bubble formation, and well-being metrics. Dr. Thom states, 'If successful, this study could transform the way we manage decompression sickness by providing a portable, field-deployable treatment option. Reducing our reliance on hyperbaric chambers would greatly expand our ability to treat DCS in remote or operational environments, improving outcomes and readiness, a key goal for the Navy.' BioAegis and University of Maryland are co-applicants on a patent filing listing Dr. Thom as an inventor. Gelsolin: A Multitasking Protein for Complex Inflammatory ConditionsRhu-pGSN holds immense promise as a therapeutic intervention for serious acute and chronic conditions due to its multifaceted mechanism of action. In critical illness, gelsolin levels collapse, causing adverse outcomes. Supplementing gelsolin addresses this deficit directly, restoring immune balance while preserving host defense and rhu-pGSN has been shown in animal studies to: Modulate the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Enhance uptake and killing of microbial pathogens by innate immune cells. Bind to and remove harmful inflammatory mediators and toxic actin released from damaged cells. Regulate macrophage phenotype to modulate inflammation. Supplementation with the recombinant gelsolin protein holds promise to address the overzealous inflammatory response associated many inflammatory diseases without suppressing immune function. About BioAegisBioAegis Therapeutics Inc. is a NJ-based clinical-stage private company whose mission is to capitalize on a key regulatory component of the body's immune system, plasma gelsolin, to prevent adverse outcomes in diseases driven by inflammation. BioAegis has the exclusive license to broad, worldwide intellectual property through Harvard-Brigham and Women's Hospital. It holds over 40 patents issued for coverage of inflammatory disease, infection, renal failure, neurologic disease, and frailty. BioAegis will also have U.S. biologics exclusivity and has recently filed new IP in areas of unmet need. BioAegis' lead product, rhu-pGSN, is currently being studied in a 600-patient global Phase 2 trial for patients with moderate to severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number 75A50123C00067. NCT05947955 Investor Inquiries:Steven Cordovano203-952-6373scordovano@ Media Inquiries:Christine Laganaclagana@ This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations of management. These statements relate to, among other things, our expectations regarding management's plans, objectives, and strategies. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. BioAegis assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements appearing in this press release in the event of changing circumstances or otherwise, and such statements are current only as of the date they are in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US-Israel team up to build hydrogen drones with HIMARS-like 180-mile strike range
In a significant development in the military drone sector, California-based Mach Industries has announced its collaboration with Israeli drone manufacturer Heven Drones to make hydrogen drones for the US military. Together, they aim to produce hydrogen fuel cell-powered drones designed for military applications. This partnership seeks to counteract China's growing dominance in the drone market by introducing advanced technologies that they believe will enhance operational capabilities. The centerpiece of their proposal is the new H2D250 drone, which leverages hydrogen fuel cells to achieve remarkable operational range and payload capacity. According to reports, this drone can strike targets located up to 180 miles away while carrying a warhead weighing up to 22 pounds. Benzion Levinson, CEO of Heaven Drones, stated in a recent interview with Defense One that the companies had set an ambitious production goal of around 1,000 H2D250 drones each month, with hopes to escalate to daily production levels of 1,000 units in the future. The venture capitalizes on decades of research into hydrogen fuel cells in the United States. In the 1990s, NASA conducted a series of experimental projects exploring the viability of unmanned aircraft operated by solar and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Designed by AeroVironment, Inc., these experimental drones were originally intended as precursors for high-altitude platforms that could be used for atmospheric research and communications. In tandem with NASA's efforts, the Office of Naval Research has also investigated hydrogen power options in collaboration with military and private sector partners, aiming to develop practical fuel alternatives for battlefield conditions. According to the Office of Naval Research, hydrogen fuel cells present advantages for operations that require stealth. The electrochemical processes employed in fuel cells generate less noise and operate at lower temperatures than traditional combustion engines, resulting in a decreased thermal signature. Furthermore, a significant benefit of hydrogen fuel cells is their environmental impact. Water is the only byproduct of the electrochemical reaction used to generate energy, which aligns with the Pentagon's commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Levinson emphasized that research progress has demonstrated that just one pound of hydrogen fuel can provide a drone with about 10 hours of flight time. The latest hydrogen fuel cell technology advancements enable operators to implement sophisticated autonomy features in these drones. This could reduce reliance on human operators who would otherwise need to relay instructions through channels vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, Heven Drones has worked on developing hydrogen refueling stations that can be deployed at remote locations, diminishing reliance on potentially vulnerable supply chains for fuel resupplies. Despite the promising technology, both companies face a significant hurdle. China remains the primary supplier of critical components for battery production, including materials essential for developing these drones. This partnership aims to innovate in drone technology and establish a domestic supply chain for drone components and systems. As Mach Industries and Heven Drones move forward with their innovative plans, the collaboration underscores a shift towards more sustainable and advanced military technologies when global competition in the drone market intensifies. As they develop, there is keen interest in how these advancements could reshape aerial capabilities and strategic dynamics in military operations.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
University of West Florida gets $478K grant for robotics research
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — The University of West Florida's Institute for Human Machine & Cognition research team was awarded a $478,000 grant for 'the acquisition of advance robotics platforms,' according to a UWF news release. Fairhope is one of two remaining single-tax colonies in the U.S. — what it means The grant will enable IHMC to buy specialized equipment from the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program of the Office of Naval Research, the release said. UWF faculty members Dr. Robert Griffin, Dr. Matt Johnson, and Dr. Hakki Erhan Sevil worked together on the application process. Only 64 grants are reportedly awarded nationwide. 'The DURIP program equips universities to perform state-of-the-art research that boosts the nation's technological advantage, while ensuring that the future science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce remains second to none' Johnson said. 'We're looking forward to the next phase of this work, which will allow us to take our state-of-the-art robotic systems out of the lab and into the real world.' 'This award is a significant milestone for the Intelligent Systems and Robotics program and a reflection of the outstanding collaborative work between UWF and IHMC,' said Dr. Brent Venable, director of the ISR program. 'The continued support from the Office of Naval Research is instrumental in enabling cutting-edge research, and this new equipment will provide our students and faculty with the tools they need to lead in the field of robotics. 'We're proud to contribute to both scientific advancement and the growth of high-tech innovation in our region.' Coffee creamer shipped to Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, among other states, recalled To learn more about the doctoral program in Intelligent Systems and Robotics at UWF, visit . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
