Opportunity: Bacterial cellulose aerogels functionalized for capture os Rare Earth Elements

Opportunity Number:

DEVCOMSC-001

Opportunity Location:

Natick, MA

Opportunity Description:

Research involves growth of cultures for bacterial cellulose (BC) production and processing. Standard microbiological/aseptic techniques will be used growing bacterial strains in liquid fermentataion, cleaning and treatment of BC for chemical functionalization. Growth conditions will be chosen to produce various form factors including production of films/membranes, microspheres/pellets, and transforming BC into advanced materials such as aerogels. BC processing includes treatment with base, extenstive washing and freexe drying.

Opportunity Skill Set:

Some knowledge of biology (particularly microbiology) or biotechnology and comfortable with hands on lab work (to also include following protocols, taking notes and communicating results with the project team. Previous resaerch experience is desirable but not required.

Opportunity Host Facility

DEVCOM Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC)

Natick, MA and Orlando, FL

DEVCOM Soldier Center (SC) is located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) which was established in the 1950s in Natick, Massachusetts. Known locally as ‘Natick Labs’, it is deeply rooted in the area’s innovative academic and industrial Science & Technology (S&T) communities and is the lead organization for the Army’s Soldier Domain Technology. DEVCOM SC focuses on the Soldier and incorporates the latest innovations to maximize the Warfighter’s combat readiness, survivability, sustainability, mobility, combat effectiveness and field quality of life. Soldier Center is “The Science Behind the Soldier” as diverse groups of scientists and engineers provide the Army with innovative Science and Technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers. DEVCOM SC maintains and enhances core competencies such as Soldier Performance/Integration, Individual/Collective Protection, Material Science Fiber/Textile, Military Nutrition/Food Service Logistics, Aerial Delivery, and Army Training Technology that are relevant and critical to support the Soldier of today and tomorrow. We leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum effects, autonomy, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to see, sense, decide, and act faster than their adversaries. Our Simulation and Training Technology Division located in Orlando, FL continues the mission to develop, mature and transition innovative training and simulation technologies to maximize Soldier effectiveness and Warfighter readiness.

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