Physics, Physical Science facilities
35 facilities across 9 states
Aquatic and Wetlands Ecosystems Research and Development Center
Vicksburg, MS
Biotechnology Laboratories
West Bethesda, MD
The Biotechnology Laboratories provide expertise and facilities for studies in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, biosensors, and materials-microbe interactions. It includes equipment and capabilities in microscopy (transmitted and reflected light, epifluorescence, autoscan, photomicroscopy), protein/enzyme purification and characterization, protein patterning, genetic analysis, gas and liquid chromatography, microbial characterization and identification, image analysis, biodegradation & biodeterioration analysis, and microbiological monitoring.
Cold Regions Science & Technology Information Analysis Center
Hanover, NH
At some point during each year nearly half of the Earth's surface becomes subject to snow, ice or frozen ground. Gaining new knowledge of these cold regions and putting that knowledge to work for the Corps of Engineers, the Department of Defense, and the nation is the task of the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Columbia River Basin Research Facility
Vicksburg, MS
Located in North Bonneville, Washington near the Bonneville Dam and the Columbia River, the Fisheries Engineering Team (FET), of the Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory, conducts fish passage investigations in support of Portland and Walla Walla Districts' Anadromous Fish Evaluation Program and Seattle Districts' Lake Washington General Investigation Study. The FET uses state-of-the-art hydroacoustic, video, and acoustic camera systems to monitor and evaluate juvenile salmon passage at Corps hydropower dams within the Columbia River Basin and a navigation lock on the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle, WA. The FET has extensive experience evaluating behavioral technologies (e.g., sound and light) and has developed capabilities for characterizing complex flow fields using Doppler-based instrumentation. Additionally, the FET is developing a sophisticated computational tool that integrates hydrodynamic and aquatic biological concepts that will enable Computational Fluid Dynamics models to simulate detailed individual movements of fish species in three dimensions.
Dosimetry Laboratories
West Bethesda, MD
The Dosimetry Laboratories are dedicated to all aspects of the Navy’s personnel dosimetry program. A gamma radiation range provides calibration and quality assurance to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the system. Gamma, beta, and x-ray radiation as well as mono-energetic neutrons produced from a 3MeV tandem positive ion accelerator are available for dosimeter calibration. Complementary laboratories are used to investigate the fundamental optical properties of materials for potential use in dosimetry as well as development, testing, and evaluation of prototype dosimetry badges and their accompanying electronics.
Eau Galle Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (EGAEL)
Vicksburg, MS
Electron Microscopy Center
Washington, DC
Energetics Technology
Indian Head, MD
The Energetics Technology Division is the premier center for energetic technology innovation that takes emerging concepts and applies novel design techniques to develop and field new energetic products. Systems include conventional and non-traditional warfare applications across the full spectrum of energetic competencies. The division sustains and nurtures a workforce possessing the critical talents necessary to function as national stewards for energetic technology.
Environmental Chemistry Branch Omaha Facility
Vicksburg, MS
The analytical chemistry facility, located in downtown Omaha, NE, provides an extensive range of high quality analytical chemistry services to support Corps environmental programs. Primary mission-functions are: environmental analytical chemistry research, quality assurance analysis, analytical chemistry in support of research projects, water quality analysis, analytical method development, and quality assurance program technical support. A staff of over 30 well-trained, experienced employees including numerous Ph.D. and Master of Science chemists operate state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation in support of research and environmental programs. The analytical chemistry expertise and technical capabilities are utilized to assist Corps technical personnel in completing environmental investigation, remediation, and solving environmental related technical problems.
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Facility
Vicksburg, MS
The mission of the Environmental Chemistry Branch is to serve as a center for research and methods development in the field of environmental analytical chemistry; support environmental programs at the Waterways Experiment Station with state of the art analysis in the areas of water quality, environmental restoration, and contaminated sediment and dredged material management; provide Quality Assurance (QA) support to the Corps' Hazardous, Toxic, Radiological Waste (HTRW) programs; and support the Lower Mississippi Valley Division as the Division Laboratory.
Frost Effects Research Facility
Hanover, NH
Other uses include full-scale, controllable freeze/thaw tests, evaluation of digging, ripping, and augering equipment, mobility in thawing soil, soil erosion, pavements testing, utility systems, and large-scale cold-weather testing.
Geophysical Research Facility
Hanover, NH
Self-contained refrigeration system allows early season growing of ice sheets and maintains the character and thickness of established ice sheets
Geosciences Research, Applications, and Test Facility
Kirtland AFB, NM
This facility provides the most extensive near-surface geophysics equipment and applications capability in the Department of Defense (DoD). Research conducted in this facility specializes in engineering, environmental, archeological, and groundwater geophysics and geology. The facility supports the DoD requirements for foundation investigations, installation restoration, cultural resource assessments, military groundwater supply, tunnel detection, and environmental site characterization. In addition, a 15,000-sq ft Engineering Geophysics Training Facility, consisting of metallic and nonmetallic targets buried at various depths and orientations, is used for evaluating geophysical instruments and providing hands-on training with the equipment.
Geospatial Data Analysis Facility (GDAF)
Vicksburg, MS
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Laboratory maintains a state-of-the-art Geospatial Data Analysis Facility (GDAF) devoted to the application of spatial information analysis technologies, including GIS, RS (including image processing), and global positioning systems (GPS).
Greenhouse
Hanover, NH
Carrying out basic and applied Environmental Quality research in the areas of land management, revegetation, habitat protection, and cleanup of contaminated soils
Health Physics Lab
Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
Description: This facility contains two dry cell self shielded irradiators for assessing the effects of high intensity radiation on items of interest. One of the irradiators, known as the Dougherty Box, is a heavily shielded chamber that contains a cobalt-60 source, which emits gamma photons at 1.17 and 1.33 Mev. The other irradiator contains Cs-137, which emits gamma photons at 0.667 Mev. These devices are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for R&D; purposes.
High-Power Microwave (HPM) Facility
Washington, DC
Ice Engineering Research Facility
Hanover, NH
A unique research and testing complex that houses special-purpose research areas for studying ice impacts on civil works flood control and navigation structures and waterways
Large Area Plasma Processing System (LAPPS)
Washington, DC
Long Pulse Accelerator Laboratory
Washington, DC
Magnetic Materials Laboratory
West Bethesda, MD
The Magnetic Materials Laboratory has a variety of instruments to measure magnetic properties, e.g., magnetostriction and magnetization as a function of magnetic field with forces as high as 100,000 pounds applied. A vibrating sample magnetometer can measure magnetization from cryogenic temperatures to above room temperature.
Metrology Laboratory
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Mobile IR Test Facilities
Point Mugu, CA
We enjoy close working relationships with the test ranges at Point Mugu and China Lake, as well as the Foreign Military Exploitation (FME) community.
Plume Measurement Facility (PMF)
China Lake, CA
Pressure Lab Facility
Panama City, FL
The Pressure Lab provides a state-of-the-art facility for measuring the performance of pressure transducers. The professional, experienced staff, of the pressure lab conducts tests in accordance with customer specifications. In addition, pressure laboratory features include: accurate static and dynamic pressure measurements, pressure transducer calibration, and a complete data acquisition system.
Reliability Physics/Failure Analysis Laboratory
Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
The Reliability Physics / Failure Analysis Laboratory provides excellent capabilities. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), equipped with both wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometers, enables the observation of microstructures and performs full elemental (both qualitative and quantitative) analysis. The SEM can produce images with resolutions as fine as 4nm. The laboratory contains all the equipment required to sample preparation and surface analysis, including high quality optical microscopes, carbon and gold coaters and a dedicated machine shop. Coupled with other fine facilities in the A&IFD; Laboratories, this lab can perform a number of analytical techniques in the area of semi-conductor failure analysis, such as voltage contrast and current induced failure detection. In the voltage contrast mode, a suspect device can be lowered while being examined with the microscope. All positively charged metalization runs will appear dark while negatively charged runs will appear light. While functioning, isolation of defective areas can easily be accomplished.
Ruth H. Hooker Research Library
Washington, DC
Sediment Physical and Geoacoustics Properties and Sediment Biogeochemistry Laboratories
Washington, DC
Shaftline Component Development Facility
Philadelphia, PA
The SCDF is a complete SSN 688 shaft assembly - from the thrust bearing / vibration reducer to the Propeller. This land based test site can be used to qualify or develop acoustic and/or life span advances in shaftline components including thrust bearing /vibration reducer, stern tube and propeller bearings, and shaft materials. Includes acoustically isolated machinery foundations.
Soil and Rock Mechanics Lab
Kirtland AFB, NM
The 10,000-sq ft soil mechanics research facility is the largest in the Department of Defense and has a loading capability of 250,000 lb on triaxial specimens up to 15 in. in diameter. Also included are direct shear devices for 3- to 24-in. specimens, automated consolidometers, and rock-testing capabilities including anchor pullout tests.
Soil Microbiology Laboratory
Hanover, NH
Stores, Weight and Inertial System Facility
Edwards AFB, CA
This facility provides stores weight, center of gravity, and inertia measurements in support of weapon/aircraft compatibility testing. System provides store weight from 0-4000 pounds to an accuracy of +/- 1 pound, stores center of gravity to within .25 inch, and store inertia to within 4 slug feet squared. The system will accept standard 16-inch and 30-inch lug mounts. Provisions are available to support nonstandard configurations as well.
Subsonic Wind Tunnel
West Bethesda, MD
The 8- by 10-foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel located at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center was designed for maximum flexibility in mounting and testing a wide variety of models. The tunnel specializes in the support of naval ship technology, but it serves all branches of the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, other Government agencies, and industry in almost every type of experiment in which the mechanics of fluids are of interest. Studies include turbulence in the airwake behind ships; performance and stability of air, water, and surface vehicles; and the effects of wind on static structures.
Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Washington, DC
Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Laboratory
Edwards AFB, CA
Specialized facilities in the Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Laboratory include a 68-degree dimensional room for dimensional measurements of highly accurate dimensional test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment; Radioactivity Detection Indication and Computation (RADIAC) Equipment calibration room for the calibration of radioactive test equipment; F-16 Type IV Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) for the calibration of F-16 specific support equipment; and F-15 Type IV PMEL for the calibration of F-15 specific support equipment.