Participating Lab: DEVCOM Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC)

Bioceramic Repellency Project

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
Our mission at DEVCOM SC is to provide the Army with innovative science and technology solutions to optimize the performance of our Soldiers. This internship involves developing bioceramics for application onto textiles. Inspired by the complex structures found in mollusk shells, this effort uses biomimetic methods learned from the mollusk to precipitate bioceramics onto textiles to act as an omniphobic repellant surface.This is a lab intensive internship involving methods from biology, biochemistry, analytical and organic chemistry. Equipment that may be used includes both optical and electron microscopes, FPLC, lyophilizer and others as needed.

Create 3D animated avatars from 3D skeleton data captured from MoCap systems

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
Create 3D animated avatars from 3D skeleton data captured from MoCap systems with or without markers. DEVCOM SC has advanced MoCap system to capture dynamic skeleton motions. Incorporated with 3D whole body scanners in our 3D scanning lab, this project is aiming to create 3D dynamic body models with individual shape that can follow MoCap data sequence. The 3D posable body model will be based on open-source SMPL/SMPLX model.

Develop a graphic software to display 3D human body model (whole body or head) from a principal component analysis (PCA) model

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
Develop a graphic software to display 3D human body model (whole body or head) from a principal component analysis (PCA) model by selected principal components (PCs). Establish a model (linear regression or neural network based) to map anthropometric measurements to PC space and generate 3D body model from given measurements, by leveraging 2012 US Army Anthropometric Survey database (ANSUR II).

Development of novel catalytic materials through calixarene modifications

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM Soldier Center’s Soldier Protection Directorate is working on projects to develop novel catalytic materials using calixarenes. The investigation of these novel materials will be used to develop new technologies ranging from chemical decontamination to fuel production and storage to protect and support America’s Warfighter. We are looking for talented and driven individuals with experience in wet chemistry laboratories and using analytical instruments/equipment and have an interest in organic chemistry or materials science.

Enhancing Squad-Level Training Through Augmented Reality Headmounted Displays

Research Opportunity Location:
Orlando, Florida

Research Opportunity Description:
This research opportunity focuses on exploring the use of Augmented Reality (AR) Headmounted Displays (HMDs) as an interactive tool for training squad-level soldiers. Interns will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of AR technology in simulating real-world scenarios, providing hands-on training for soldiers, and improving the learning curve when using new military equipment. The project involves prototyping AR training applications, testing the usability and effectiveness of the HMDs in operational settings, and analyzing feedback to optimize the training experience. Interns will also engage with interdisciplinary teams, contribute to the design of training scenarios, and help measure the impact of AR-based training on soldier readiness, retention, and performance. This opportunity is ideal for individuals interested in the intersection of military training, human-computer interaction, augmented reality, and technology-enhanced learning. Interns will gain firsthand experience in cutting-edge military training technologies and have the opportunity to contribute to the future of military preparedness.

Footwear Research Development Test & Evaluations

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
Assist Project Engineers with performing research studies that comprises of conducting tests and evaluations of military footwear product designs; project tasking involves characterizing novel materials, and other footwear components against performance specifications, and writing testing procedures for research operators to be able to conduct these tests according to specific test methods. Taskings will also include assisting the researchers with building a state-of-art laboratory which involves setting up the laboratory with specialized footwear testing apparatuses, machinery, and instrumentation for collecting test data. These efforts will enable the Army to be able to qualify current and future footwear products, and work with industry to advances these designs for a wide range of military operational relevant environments.

Geospatial Data Processing for Military Applications

Research Opportunity Location:
Orlando, Florida

Research Opportunity Description:
In order to ensure geospatial datasets are current and representative of the real-world, novel change detection methods are required to enable efficient and accurate updates to databases. Student will leverage advancements in deep learning, computer vision (CV), and retrieval augmentation generation (RAGs) to enable the alignment of disparate data (e.g., within or across satellite and ground/aerial imagery data) and predict missing information due to temporal and frequency gaps. Advancements in this technology are necessary to ensure geospatial content is suitable for training and operational domains.

Improving and verification of RF measurements

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
Intern will develop code to automate a free-space RF measurement setup. Python will be used to write the drivers. Intern should be comfortable working in Python, reading other’s code, and writing simple libraries. Intern will also be working on the hardware. Intern will also be assisting in performing measurements of samples to verify. Intern should be comfortable with calculating basic geometry and basic antenna quantities.

Intelligent AI/ML -driven image and video analytics for automated requirements development and performance assessment.

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
This research opportunity focuses on developing and applying advanced AI/ML driven image and video analytcs techniques to support complex system design and evaluation. The goal is to create intelligent tools that can automatically process large volumes of visual data, extract key features, and translate them into actionable insights and quantitative performance metrics for evaluation. This work advances state of the art AI/ML applications in engineering, supporting the development of adaptive , data driven design and evaluation frameworks.

Investigating methods for controlled assembly of nanomaterials

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM Soldier Center’s Soldier Protection Directorate is working on projects to develop new methods for controlled assembly of nanomaterials. The controlled assembly methods will be used to make new metamaterials and explore their unique properties to develop new technologies to protect and enhance America’s Warfighters. We are looking for talented and driven individuals that have experience working in wet chemistry laboratories and experience using analytical instruments/equipment.

Synthesis of a Paper-Based Sensor to Detect Bacteria in Water

Research Opportunity Location:
Natick, MA

Research Opportunity Description:
This project aims to create a paper-based test that can rapidly detect bacteria in water using DNA amplification. The method relies on LAMP, an isothermal technique that produces a clear color change when bacterial genetic material is present. By combining this simple readout with a portable and low-cost format, the system is designed to bring reliable water quality testing directly to the point of need.