Yellowstone Times

A researcher from Montana State University has been awarded a $1.5 million grant by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. The funding supports a collaborative effort to develop technologies for sustaining military operations in cold regions, such as the Arctic Circle.

The project is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Ice Control for Cold Environments program, which aims to find natural solutions to challenges like frostbite and ice buildup on military equipment. Kevin Hammonds, an associate professor at MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, explained that the project focuses on identifying biomolecules from Arctic organisms capable of influencing ice formation.

Hammonds stated, "The project is focused on identifying natural biomolecules from organisms that thrive in the Arctic." These include fungi, mosses, fish, and polar bears known for their ice-controlling properties.

The primary objective is to create a database of these biomolecules to identify candidates for further development. Hammonds' team will employ techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and thermal hysteresis to study these molecules. Additionally, they plan to develop hyperspectral imaging methods to analyze molecular structures.

"We're going to try and put the hyperspectral imager on a microscope," Hammonds said. This approach could reveal insights into how these molecules interact with ice.

Hammonds highlighted potential applications: "Imagine if we were to come up with a cream that people can put on their fingers to prevent frostbite or a thin film that can keep ice from forming on aircraft."

The use of organic molecules suggests non-toxic solutions. Hammonds noted the importance of using natural substances: "It's really important that we're using something that's derived from nature."

Team members contributing biomolecules include organizations like the Army ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and several universities.

"Suppose that the path they need to drive their vehicles down in the Arctic has gotten slushy," Hammonds explained. "Perhaps we can develop a solution that freezes the path so they can drive over it."

Though controlling water crystallization might seem unlikely, Hammonds sees potential: "At first it sounds like science fiction," he said. However, he believes there is significant opportunity for discovery in this field.