The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) have announced $12 million in funding for new projects focused on improving the chemical and material resilience of Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems and platforms.
Military assets are increasingly at risk due to supply chain instability and regulatory restrictions on critical materials and chemicals. These projects will focus on extending the lifecycle and performance of mission-critical equipment and developing assets that are resilient to supply chain disruptions. Selected topics include PFAS-free firefighting foams, weapons platform resilience, improved demilitarization techniques, and alternatives to emerging chemicals of concern in energetics and coatings.
The table below is organized by topic and includes each project's title, principal investigator, and lead organization. Detailed project overviews will be posted at https://serdp-estcp.mil/projects.
| Alternative Demilitarization of Explosives and Gun Propellants | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP25-4813 | Photocatalytic Super-reductant to Degrade Explosives and Gun Propellants | Shubham Vyas | Colorado School of Mines | SERDP |
| Alternatives to Emerging Chemicals of Concern in Energetic Formulations and Energetics Processing | ||||
| WP25-4684 | Pyrotechnic Properties of Alternative Thermitic Systems | Anthony P. Shaw | U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center | SERDP |
| WP25-4901 | Alternative Stabilizers for Gun Propellants and Down Selection Methodology | Kathy Yang | U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center | SERDP |
| WP25-4993 | Molecular Perovskite Replacements for Pyrotechnic Ingredients | Jared Moretti | U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center | SERDP |
| WP25-4773 | Development of a Scalable Process to TNT which Avoids Both “Redwater” and “Isotrioil” Production | David Boruta | Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head | SERDP |
| Demonstration of PFAS-Free Foams for Firefighting | ||||
| WP25-8642 | Demonstration, Validation, and Optimization of Ionic Liquid-based Firefighting Foam | Jaspreet Dhau | Molekule | ESTCP |
| Alternative Resins for Coatings and Sealants | ||||
| WP25-4826 | Alternative Resins for DoD-Grade Thermosetting Polymer Networks | James Martin | U.S. Naval Research Laboratory | SERDP |
| WP25-4608 | Rapid Cure Polysilazane Topcoats | Lauryn Baranowski | TDA Research, Inc. | SERDP |
| WP25-4956 | Epoxy Functional Polyurethanes with Tunable Structures and Properties for Coatings and Sealants | Dean Webster | North Dakota State University | SERDP |
| Weapons Systems and Platforms | ||||
| WP25-8888 | Energy Efficient, Chrome-free, Abrasion and Corrosion Resistant Alternative to Hard-Chrome Plating | Lindsey Blohm | U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory | ESTCP |
| WP25-8745 | M734/M783 fuze for 60mm, 81mm and 120mm mortar rounds | Neha Mehta | U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center | ESTCP |
| WP25-8891 | Alternative Structural Adhesives for Aircraft | Diane Kleinschmidt | Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division | ESTCP |
| Separating Inorganic Particulates from Fluoropolymers | ||||
| WP25-0269 | Defluorination of Metal-Fluoropolymer Composites | Elijah Thimsen | Washington University | SERDP |
| WP25-0283 | A Cost-Effective Method to Separate Fluoropolymers from Metal Powders | Rocio Perez | Georgia Southern University Research and Service Foundation, Inc. | SERDP |
| WP25-0273 | Two Processes for Separating Inorganic Particulates from Fluoropolymers | Ralph Lloyd | Lloyd Technologies, Inc. | SERDP |
| WP25-0276 | Separation and Hazard Elimination of Fluoropolymer-metal Composites Using Cryogenic Grinding Followed by Salt-assisted Dissolution | Geletu Qing | RTX Technology Research Cente | SERDP |
| WP25-0277 | Gallium Removal of Aluminum Particle Energetics from Associated Polymer Exteriors | Jarod Gagnon | Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab | SERDP |
| Alternative Solvents for Vapor Degreasing and Other Cleaning Applications | ||||
| WP25-0255 | Design and Evaluate Novel Basic Ionic Liquids and Closed-Loop Degreasing Systems | Jaspreet Dhau | Innovationmust LLC | SERDP |
| WP25-0236 | Utilizing Plasma-Activated Water for Solvent Replacement in Military Cleaning Applications | Jinjie He | Drexel University | SERDP |
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About SERDP & ESTCP
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) develop and demonstrate innovative, scalable technologies that enhance military readiness, improve warfighter capabilities, and strengthen defense infrastructure. SERDP invests in basic and applied research to secure military installations, and ESTCP puts innovations to the test, fielding real-world solutions that enhance military operations. The programs report to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy Resilience & Optimization headquartered at the Pentagon. For more information, visit https://serdp-estcp.mil.
