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Project Details
Defense
Biotechnology Rapid Experimentation and Applications Laboratory
The Biocementation Rapid Experimentation and Applications Laboratory (BioREAL) will provide the USAF and industry with a unique, specialized capability to enable the rapid assessment, maturation, and demonstration of biologically-hardened materials and structures to sustainably support future aerospace operations from austere environments. The project addresses current testing infrastructure shortfalls to accelerate transition of this new class of materials to meet both defense and civil needs.
Organization Details
ARCTOS Technology Solutions, LLC
2601 Mission Point Blvd, Suite 300
Beavercreek, Ohio. 45431
Greene
Same
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For-profit
Organization Contact Details
Dr. Ty Pollak
Senior VP, Technology Programs
ARCTOS Technology Solutions, LLC
937-426-2808
2601 Mission Point Blvd, Suite 300
Beavercreek, Ohio. 45431
Greene
Mr. Kent Smith
ARCTOS Technology Solutions, LLC
Director of Biotechnology Programs
937-426-2808, kent.smith@arctos-us.com
Location Details
Beavercreek
Greene
Ohio 10th
Financial Details
10000000
10000000
None
Equipment Purchases
No
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No
Immediately
Primary PE:
0602102F Materials

Alternate PEs:
0602020F Future AF Capabilities Applied Research
0603211F Aerospace Technology Dev/Demo
Community Details
Both the War in Ukraine and future near-peer conflict simulations have illustrated the increasing vulnerability of airfields against a modernized military. This reality is increasing the urgency for the USAF's Agile Combat Employment doctrine, which envisions large numbers of conventional and vertical lift aircraft (both crewed and uncrewed) operating from degraded or minimally-improved runways and landing zones, supported through reduced logistics footprints.

Offering tremendous promise to meet these future needs, biocementation involves the hardening of soils, sands, and other indigenous materials through microbial and other biological processes. Both DARPA and AFRL have invested in development of this new class of materials and structures, and there are numerous universities, startups, and defense contractors working on various biomaterial solutions. However, to date, the majority of testing of such solutions has involved disparate laboratory facilities, ad hoc field tests, or larger facilities without controlled conditions to simulate the effects of aircraft operations, thus inhibiting technology maturation and transition.

The BioREAL project aims to address this capabilities gap, providing a unique rapid experimentation facility in the Dayton region, linking Air Force researchers (AFRL), aircraft development and sustainment communities (AFLCMC), and industrial and academic partners to accelerate technology maturation to meet future defense needs. In addition to warfighting applications, biocementation also offers promise as an environmentally low-impact process to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations, such as treating sites for dust abatement to support air taxi services. The BioREAL facility would thus also help "cement" Dayton's leadership as an innovation hub in the burgeoning field of Advanced Air Mobility.
Yes, ARCTOS has received funding for the Ohio Smart Manufacturing Digital Thread I ($13M, FY21) and II ($8.7M, FY23, contract pending). Under the current and pending effort, ARCTOS has successfully implemented and seeks to expand scalable workforce training programs with academic partners across the state in the areas of robotics and automation, laser-material processing, and digital thread technologies, with support from multiple Congressional stakeholders across Ohio (spearheaded by Rep. Mike Turner, OH-10), in collaboration with AFRL, AFMC Digital Transformation Office, and the USAF's Air Logistics Complexes through PE 0603680F Manufacturing Technology Program.
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Additional Details
No
Ty (Randall) Pollak
937-426-2808
ty.pollak@arctos-us.com
No
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