Power of ERDC

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Latest Episodes:

#82: Weather Where It Matters: Closing Critical Data Gaps Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

ERDC and ULM are expanding a regional Mesonet to test how localized weather and soil observations can improve modeling and mission support.

#81: Shielding from the Blast: Patented ERDC technology enables safe detonation of underwater unexploded ordnance Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Unexploded military ordnance located underwater pose a significant risk to human safety, aquatic life and marine infrastructure. Better methods are needed to help those tasked with their disposal to safely locate and remove these dangerous munitions.

In response, ERDC researchers invented a patented blast shield that can enable safe detonation while mitigating harmful blast pressures and containing toxic byproducts.

We discuss this innovative apparatus with its inventors – Taylor Rycroft, a research environmental engineer with ERDC’s Environmental Laboratory, and Griffin Donohue, a technical engineer with ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.

Topics include the challenges presented by underwater UXO (1:25), what initiated this effort (4:19), and the blast shield’s unique design and how it works (8:12). We also discuss how the blast shield improves on existing methodologies (15:18), next steps (20:19), and how the team will test and evaluate this technology using unique ERDC capabilities to simulate underwater explosions (24:53).

Read more about the Underwater UXO Blast Shield at https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/4548190/erdc-researchers-granted-patent-for-novel-underwater-uxo-blast-shield-invention.

Watch a video of this episode at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/81-underwater-uxo-blast-shield_video.

#80: Ship simulator takes on key role in civil works projects Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Navigating modern waterways demands precision engineering to safeguard our economy, prevent maritime accidents and eliminate millions in unnecessary construction and dredging costs.

To meet this challenge, an order from U.S. Army leaders and an updated Engineering Regulation have established the U.S. Army Watercraft and Ship Simulator, located at ERDC’s campus in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as the primary authority for all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) navigation projects.

By integrating ERDC’s physics-based hydrodynamic modeling expertise with hands-on evaluations from certified local pilots, this facility significantly reduces project risks and provides measurable cost avoidance long before construction begins.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Keith Martin and Richard Hunt, program leads with the Watercraft and Ship Simulator team, to discuss the simulation facility's capabilities (1:35), the changes brought about by a new mandate from Army leadership (3:45) and the impact the facility and team have had — and continue to have — on critical civil works and maritime projects (7:10). We also discuss the risks — both physical and financial — if design teams decide not to use simulation capabilities (7:53), the differences between ERDC’s ship simulation facility and private-sector facilities (9:12) and the important role experienced boat pilots play in the success of simulation projects (11:13).

For more information on the Watercraft and Ship Simulator, the new engineering regulations, success stories and more, visit PowerofERDCPodcast.org/80-Watercraft-And-Ship-Simulator_Resources. You can also watch a video of this podcast at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/80-Watercraft-And-Ship-Simulator_video.

#79: Dune in the Flume: ERDC team relocates natural structure to laboratory to study dynamics Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

ERDC’s Leigh Langley discusses how she and her team were able to transport a dune to the laboratory to learn lessons that will improve the nation’s coastal management practices.

#78: Defending Communities from Glacial Floods: ERDC seeks to deploy lidar system in rugged Alaskan environment Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Learn how ERDC is deploying advanced lidar technology to monitor Suicide Basin and help USACE design flood mitigation systems to project Juneau, Alaska.

#77: Technical Exchange: ERDC researcher to study flood mitigation strategies in Japan Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Extreme weather events are not unique to the United States. That is why an ERDC researcher will be traveling to Japan to study with experts there and collaborate on strategies that can reduce flood risk in both nations.

Dr. Amanda Tritinger, a research civil engineer at ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, was recently selected for the U.S. Army’s Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP). As principal engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering With Nature® program, she is a renowned expert on natural and hybrid infrastructure and applying it to reduce risks from flooding, erosion and extreme weather.

Tritinger is the first U.S. engineer selected as an ESEP participant in Japan, where she will work alongside Japan’s Ministry of Defense and National Defense Academy to conduct research on the risk assessment of heavy precipitation and typhoon damage in Japan.

We talk with Tritinger about the program and how she came to be involved with it (1:31), the research she will be conducting (10:09), how it builds upon her past research efforts (12:46) and how the things she will learn will strengthen future research endeavors (18:41). Additional topics include Japan’s unique flood mitigation challenges (21:30); and how the Army (22:58), USACE and ERDC (24:47) will benefit from this collaboration.

For more information, visit PowerofERDCPodcast.org/77-Japan-flood-mitigation_resources. Watch a video of this episode at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/77-Japan-flood-mitigation_video.

#76: Printing Big: How ERDC builds complex structures layer by layer Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Learn how ERDC uses large-scale 3D printing, advanced materials and industry partnerships to build complex components and accelerate physical modeling.

#75: Before and After September 11: ERDC research protected lives on 9/11 and in the ensuing conflicts Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Learn how ERDC research in force protection, blast effects and protective design helped prepare the nation to respond to September 11 and the challenges that followed.

#74: High-Tech Hide and Seek: Innovative testbed pushes underwater UXO detection technology to its limits Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Across the country, coastal waters at Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) potentially contain unexploded ordnance. Finding, identifying, characterizing and, when necessary, safely clearing these munitions in shallow-water environments presents an immense challenge.

Cutting-edge robotic systems equipped with advanced sensors, acoustics and precision mapping tools hold potential to locate these hazards. However, these technologies must first be proven in the chaotic, highly dynamic environment of the nearshore zone.

An ERDC research team at the Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, North Carolina, part of ERDC’s Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, is bridging this critical gap.

By establishing an extensive underwater testbed, ERDC is providing the real-world environment needed to test, validate and advance next-generation sensors and robotic platforms in surf conditions — ensuring these technologies are mission-ready.

Joining us to discuss this testbed are Dr. Spicer Bak and Pat Dickhudt, who have been at the forefront of the design and development of this testbed that is helping accelerate the delivery of these important technologies.

Discussion topics include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ involvement in underwater munitions response (1:49), what makes the FRF a perfect location for this testbed (4:55), and how the FRF’s unique capabilities support a high level of accuracy (18:11). We also talk about lessons learned from developing the testbed (19:30), the process of using the testbed (27:49) and some of the key findings from technologies tested at the site (33:03).

Watch a video of this episode at PowerofERDCPodcast.org/74-underwater-UXO-testbed_video.

#73: Building Stronger Levees: Biostabilization research is creating more resilient flood control network Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Learn how ERDC is using biopolymers and vegetation to reduce levee erosion, resist overtopping and explore lower-cost, long-term embankment protection.

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