November 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 21. U. S. N N


the entire cove was fi lled between 1749 and 1798. The ship was likely intentionally used as landfi ll, according to Bromberg. The UAB program was founded in 1996


due to an emerging need for the Department of the Navy to study and preserve its sub- merged cultural resources. Today, UAB’s mission is to manage research, conserve and interpret the Navy’s collection of sunken and terrestrial military craft, which includes more than 3,000 shipwrecks and 14,000 aircraft wrecks distributed across the globe. “As archaeologists, we are interested


in contributing to the maritime history of the United States,” Schwarz said. “We are learning more about our collective maritime past by working on this project, whether it is a military vessel or not.”


Barnacle Busting: ONR-Sponsored Research Targets Ship Biofouling By Warren Duffi e Jr., Offi ce of Naval Research Public Aff airs


ARLINGTON, VA (NNS) -- Individually, tiny barnacles pose little threat to hulking U.S. Navy ships. But when clustered in thick clumps on a vessel’s hull -- a natural occurrence called biofouling -- these sticky crustaceans can slow the ship and increase its fuel consumption by 40 percent. To deal with this small yet expensive


pest, the ONR is sponsoring work by Dr. Xuanhe Zhao, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Zhao and his team have created an adhesive material that can help barnacle-fi ghting coatings stick to metal hulls better and longer; retain moisture and not dry out; and avoid the use of toxic chemicals and other pollutants.


“Biofouling is a major concern for


the Navy, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars a year in fuel and maintenance costs,” said Dr. Steve McElvany, a program manager in ONR’s Sea Warfare and Weap- ons Program, who oversees Zhao’s research. “It’s especially bad when the ship is docked in port. Barnacles like those environments and tend to accumulate rapidly, in large quantities.”


Barnacles are adversaries as old as


sailing itself. For centuries, mariners fought the crustaceans with everything from tar to wax. Currently, the Navy uses copper-based paints and coatings to kill barnacles or pre- vent them from latching onto hulls. While eff ective, these toxic materials leach into the water, negatively impacting aquatic life. The Navy is seeking environmentally-friendly coatings that can keep hulls clean and reduce fuel costs. One solution vital to Zhao’s eff orts


could be hydrogels, which can absorb wa- ter and hold it in the form of a gel. These extremely soft, slippery substances can be spread on a ship’s underside like sealant to prevent barnacles from sticking to the metal. Barnacles prefer hard, solid spots to attach themselves and don’t like surfaces such as hydrogels. Zhao’s research addresses the challenge


of keeping hydrogel coatings soft, wet and securely fastened to metal hulls. Using a chemical bonding agent called benzophe- none, his team devised a way to fuse hydro- gels with elastomers -- elastic polymers like silicone and natural rubber that are stretchy, durable and impervious to water. The result is a sticky, water-trapping barrier which keeps hydrogels robust enough to potential- ly withstand the harsh hull conditions of a ship at sea. “Our approach was inspired by human


skin,” said Zhao. “The skin has an outer epidermis that protects nerves, capillaries, muscles and organs, and keeps them from drying out -- maintaining their compliance.


However, we can actually stretch the hy- drogel-elastomer hybrid to seven times its original length and the bond still holds. It’s that strong and fl exible.” The hybrid also has potential as a cir-


cuit for transporting ions, which are elec- trically-charged molecules. These natural circuits could be used to detect the presence of barnacles on a hull, said Zhao. Once the crustaceans are identifi ed, a specially designed hydrogel could pump barnacle-re- pelling enzymes via grooves etched into the elastomer. In addition to biofouling defense, Zhao


believes the hybrid material might also be used as a smart bandage outfi tted with elec- tronics and drug reservoirs -- allowing it to monitor wounds and vital signs like body temperature, detect bacteria and administer antibiotics, and alert a doctor when more medicine is required. “Our main focus is helping the Navy


deal with the issue of biofouling,” said Zhao, “but it’s also exciting to think of the other possibilities for this material. This is still very basic research, but we envision numerous potential applications and uses for hydrogels and elastomers.” Zhao is a 2014 winner of ONR’s Young


Investigator Program, a prestigious grant awarded to scientists and engineers with exceptional promise for producing creative, state-of-the-art research which appears like- ly to advance naval capabilities. Warren Duffi e Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.


Navy’s Most Advanced Warship, USS Zumwalt Commissions in Baltimore From USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) Public Aff airs


BALTIMORE (NNS) -- The Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) was commis- sioned into active service Saturday, Oct. 15, at North Locust Point in Baltimore. Zumwalt, the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers, features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design, and the latest warfi ghting technology and weaponry available. Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. Ray


Mabus, delivered the ceremony’s principal address.


“This ship is an example of a larger


initiative to increase operational stability and give the U.S. a strategic advantage,” said Mabus. “Our Navy and our Marine Corps, uniquely, provide presence - around the globe, around the clock - ensuring stability, reassuring allies, deterring adversaries, and providing the nation’s leaders with options in times of crisis.” The ship’s co-sponsors, Ann Zumwalt


and Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers, are daughters of former Chief of Naval Oper- ations Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., after whom the ship is named. The sisters were an integral part of the ceremony, giving the order to “man our ship and bring her to life,” in keeping with naval tradition. The Zumwalt-class destroyer will be


capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing the Navy to evolve with new systems and mis- sions. It does all of this while maintaining its stealth - making this visually imposing ship diffi cult to fi nd whether close to the shore or far out to sea. “Today’s ceremony marked the culmi-


nation of over three years of dedication and hard work by some of the fi nest Sailors I have had the pleasure to lead,” said Capt. James A. Kirk, commanding officer of Zumwalt. “The only thing more impressive


Balloons fl y and the crowd applauds as the Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), is brought to life during a commissioning ceremony at North Locust Point in Baltimore. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Offi cer 1st Class Nathan Laird/ Released)


than the capabilities of the ship are the ca- pabilities of its fi ne crew.” Zumwalt will challenge adversaries


and their way of thinking about how we employ our forces, providing an asymmetric advantage. Working with Arleigh Burke- class destroyers, littoral combat ships, and amphibious ships to form adaptive force packages, Zumwalt-class destroyers will use its computing capabilities to make these groups more lethal through increased range, deception, computer integration, and data analysis from various platforms. With its stealth, size, power, and advanced combat systems, this warship will serve as a cen- terpiece for deterrence and stability in the maritime environment. “This destroyer, like the others in our


fl eet, is capable of projecting power, no doubt,” said Mabus. “The Zumwalt-class is much larger than today’s destroyers with a considerably larger fl ight deck - enough space to operate host Joint Strike Fighters, MV-22 Ospreys, and unmanned systems and a Vertical Launch System second to none.” In addition to its size, the Zumwalt class


will be the fi rst Navy warships to utilize an integrated power system that will produce enough power to run current systems, as well as the power required for future weapons, computing, and sensor systems. Zumwalt generates approximately 78 megawatts of power, almost as much as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This means the ship can operate all of its systems and still generate enough electricity to power a small town, which provides the extra capacity to ac- commodate future weapons and computing systems. Combined with its size and power, Zumwalt will be able to integrate emerging technologies and new capabilities as they are delivered to the fl eet. USS Zumwalt embodies the legacy of


warfi ghting excellence and innovation of Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., a veteran of World War II and the confl icts in Korea and Vietnam. He exemplifi ed honor, courage and commitment during 32 years of ded- icated naval service. Believing it was his job to “modernize and humanize” the Navy, Zumwalt chose to embrace change and to lead it from within. “I witnessed as he [Zumwalt] trans-


formed our Navy, one Z-gram at a time... removing demeaning and abrasive regula- tions and moving to eliminate the scourge of racism and sexism from within our Navy,” said Mabus. “Among many initiatives, he opened fl ight training to women and increased recruiting of under-represented Americans. And, as has always been the case when we open opportunities in our Navy and Marine Corps, we got stronger.” As the nineteenth Chief of Naval Op-


erations, Zumwalt embrace of innovation resulted in a number of successful new programs, including the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine and the F-14 Tomcat, all of which had lasting impacts on the warf- ighting readiness of the Navy. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm.


John Richardson, also spoke at the ceremo- ny, commenting on the signifi cance of the ship’s namesake. “Admiral Zumwalt, especially during


his time as CNO, ensured that our institution lived by its values,” said Richardson. “He was the ‘The Sailor’s Admiral,’ looking at new ideas, acting to the limit of his author- ities, and adjusting along the way to make his Navy ready for combat - but also with full cognizance of the impact on the Sailors that made up that Navy.” Perhaps most importantly, Adm. Zum-


walt was a social reformer who recognized the primary force-multiplier of the U.S. Navy continued to be its Sailors, and as such began quality of life improvements through- out the Fleet. He was considered a “thinking offi cer” who was devoted to Sailors and creating an environment where everyone was treated equally - a legacy that can that can be seen today in the diversity of the fl eet. His “one Navy” mentality reminds today’s Sailors that taking care of our warfi ghters ensures the Navy remains tough, bold and ready. “To say the Navy was transformed by


Admiral Zumwalt is an understatement. Indeed, every leader on this stage and the great crew standing before us has benefi ted from Bud Zuwalt’s passion to make the Navy even better,” said Vice Adm. Tom Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces during the ceremony. “So today we welcome this revolutionary warship to the fl eet. A ship that demonstrates daring design and cutting-edge capability.” “On behalf of the U.S. Naval Surface


Force, I proudly accept ownership of the Navy’s newest ship to the fl eet,” Rowden said.


Zumwalt is scheduled to begin her tran-


sit to San Diego, making several port visits along the way. Upon arrival in San Diego, USS Zumwalt will begin installation of her combat systems, testing and evaluation, and operational integration with the fl eet. Once fully integrated, Zumwalt’s


stealth, power and lethality will provide a vital link from the Navy’s current needs to its future capabilities.


USS Nimitz Welcomes VAW-121’s New Advanced Hawkeye


By Seaman Kenneth J. Blair, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Public Aff airs


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