USI, Crane Research to Focus on Chemical Reactions
(photo courtesy NSWC Crane)
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe University of Southern Indiana and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane have announced a research partnership. The two entities have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to study the effects of chemical reactions from munitions and pyrotechnics.
Crane says the agreement allows both parties to leverage each other’s laboratory space, high-tech equipment, and experts in the subject matter. Principal Investigator Jonathan Dilger, who also serves as director of research and NSWC Crane, says the partnership comes from a military need to study the chemical outputs of special munitions and pyrotechnic reactions.
"We noticed there was research surrounding the sustainable reformulation of special munition and pyrotechnic compositions," says Dilger, "But there wasn’t much understanding about the toxic chemical reaction byproducts those devices create. We wanted to research the potential harmful effects these chemical reactions could have on the environment and Warfighters themselves. The partnership is a great fit for both USI and Crane that gets us one step closer to understanding the potential toxicity of these chemical reactions."
Brooke Pyne, technology transfer and small business innovation research manager at Crane, says the agreement will further expand the R&D climate in the region. She says the area will gain expertise and technology advances that "could have a lasting economic impact."
The agreement is the latest of its kind for Crane, which recently renewed its CRADA with Indiana University on cybersecurity.
Pictured left to right: USI President Ronald Rochon and NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Oesterreich.