Page 22. MAINE COASTAL NEWS December 2016 U. S. N N Continued from Page 21.


operate with a crew of 20 personnel. This is the second ship of its class built


by Dakota Creek Industries. The shipbuild- er also constructed R/V Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), delivered to the Navy in Sep- tember 2015.


Mussel Power: ONR Researches Under- water Glue


By Warren Duffi e Jr., Offi ce of Naval Research


ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Even the stron- gest glues collapse when soaked. Just watch an adhesive bandage slide ungracefully off a fi nger or toe while in the shower. However, with support from the Offi ce of Naval Re- search (ONR), one researcher has developed a nature-inspired adhesive that stays sticky when wet. Dr. Bruce Lee, an assistant professor


of biomedical engineering at Michigan Technological University, is using a protein produced by mussels to create a reversible synthetic glue that not only can bond secure- ly underwater, but also may be turned on and off with electricity. “Biomimetic approaches (synthetic


methods that imitate natural processes) have been used previously to develop materials for wet adhesion,” said Dr. Laura Kienk- er, manager of ONR’s Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology Program. “The unique aspect of Dr. Lee’s research is that it aims to develop a biomimetic wet adhesive that can rapidly and repeatedly bond to, and separate from, a variety of surfaces in response to applied electrical current. There are both non-medical and medical applications of such a material for the Navy and Marine Corps.”


Like barnacles, mussels attach to rocks,


docks, and ship hulls -- a natural occur- rence called biofouling. Mussels secrete a combination of natural liquid superglues


and stretchy fi bers called byssal threads, which works equally well in saltwater and freshwater; can stick to both hard and soft surfaces; and is strong enough to withstand the roughest sea conditions. The secret behind mussels’ adhesive


success is an amino acid called dihy- droxyphenylalanine, or DOPA for short. A chemical relative of dopamine, the neu- rotransmitter that helps control the human brain’s pleasure and reward centers, DOPA is a critical ingredient in fastening the su- perglues and byssal threads to a location. It also enables mussel secretions to be both cohesive and adhesive, meaning they can adhere to themselves and other surfaces. Lee and his research team blended


DOPA with polymers such as polyester and rubber to create synthetic glue which holds together when wet. Laboratory tests demon- strated this material can attach to a variety of surfaces including metal, plastic, and even fl esh and bone. “One very valuable quality of this syn-


thetic glue is its versatility,” said Lee. “We can change the chemistry to make it as rigid or fl exible as we need, while still maintain- ing its overall strength and durability.” Lee and his team are now trying to


fi gure out how to use electrical currents to create a chemical “on-off switch” that tem- porarily changes DOPA molecules to make the synthetic adhesive sticky or non-sticky at will. So far, they’ve been able to accomplish this by tweaking the glue’s pH balance, but are still working to achieve this capability using electrical stimulation. “This work is novel in the sense that


there is no smart adhesive out there that can perform underwater,” said Lee. “The chem- istry that we can potentially incorporate into the adhesive, causing it to reversibly bond and de-bond, is quite new.” Lee envisions multiple uses for such


a “smart glue.” It could bind underwater sensors and devices to the hulls of ships


and submarines, or help unmanned vehicles dock along rocky coastlines or in remote locations. There also are possible medical appli-


cations for an adhesive that can bind and un-bind at will. It could lead to new kinds of bandages that will stay attached when someone sweats or gets wet, and make it less painful to remove a dressing. The smart glue may even be used one day to attach prosthetic limbs and biometric sensors, or seal surgical wounds. For his adhesion eff orts, Lee was named


a 2016 winner within ONR’s Young Investi- gator Program, a prestigious grant awarded to scientists and engineers with exceptional promise for producing creative, state-of-the- art research that appears likely to advance naval capabilities. Warren Duffi e Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.


Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Earns SECDEF Maintenance Award From Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Aff airs


KITTERY, Maine (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) was announced as the winner of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Robert T. Mason Award for Depot Maintenance Excellence for the re- cord-setting engineered overhaul of attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757). PNSY delivered Alexandria back to the


fl eet approximately two weeks early and $9 million under budget. Completion of the 280,000 man-day, engineered overhaul established signifi cant benchmarks in safety and fi rst-time quality, making Alexandria’s overhaul the fastest in the Navy’s history. “NAVSEA’s (Naval Sea Systems Com-


mand’s) top priority is the on-time delivery of ships and submarines so that we can ex- pand our warfi ghting advantage,” said Vice Adm. Tom Moore, commander, NAVSEA. “Maintenance wins like Alexandria high- light the amazing work and dedication of our shipyard employees and their steadfast commitment to our national defense.” The project team, ship’s crew, and the


entire PNSY organization utilized improved processes, innovative management tech- niques, and sound leadership principles to meet every major overhaul milestone on, or ahead of schedule with best quality and safe- ty records. Returning Alexandria to the fl eet early resulted in a smooth post-overhaul transition from the Atlantic to the Pacifi c Fleet, which also improved the quality of life for the ship’s crew and their families. “The workforce really took owner-


DISCOUNT POWER TOOLS CORDED POWER TOOLS CORDLESS POWER TOOLS FUELED POWER TOOLS PNEUMATIC POWER TOOLS FASTENERS HAND TOOLS


MATERIAL HANDLING


POWER TOOL ACCESSORIES SAFETY SUPPLIES WELDING SUPPLIES


ship of their work; they’re empowered to suggest and implement improvements to ensure fi rst-time quality,” said Project Su- perintendent Scott Curtis. “Our mechanics, engineers, inspectors, support personnel, and ship’s crew really came together as a collaborative team to become the driving force behind this record-setting overhaul.” The SECDEF Maintenance Awards


are presented annually in recognition of outstanding achievements in weapon sys- tem and military equipment maintenance. The depot-level award is named in honor of Robert T. Mason, a former assistant deputy undersecretary of defense for maintenance policy, programs, and resources. “The [Mason] Award is a true testament


to the eff orts we have made to empower our workforce to drive innovation and effi ciency in all aspects of our work,” said PNSY Com- mander, Capt. Dave Hunt. “By focusing on people fi rst, and safety always, Portsmouth will continue to deliver excellence for the Navy and the nation.” The awards will be presented to the win- ners Dec. 6 in the Albuquerque Convention


Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico during the awards banquet in conjunction with the 2016 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium. PNSY is the Navy’s center of excel-


lence for attack submarine maintenance, repair, and modernization. As a fi eld activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, PNSY is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fl eet by safely delivering fi rst-time quality, on time, and on budget.


Secretary Mabus Names Newest Ar- leigh-Burke Class Destroyer From Secretary of the Navy Public Aff airs CHERRY POINT, N.C. (NNS) -- In a cer- emony Nov. 9, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the Arleigh Burke- class destroyer, DDG 121, will be named Frank E. Petersen Jr., in honor of the Marine Corps lieutenant general who was the fi rst African-American Marine Corps aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps general offi cer. In 1950, two years after President Harry


S. Truman desegregated the armed forces, Petersen enlisted in the Navy. In 1952, Petersen was commissioned


as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He would go on to fl y 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also went on to become the fi rst African-American in the Marine Corps to command a fi ghter squadron, an air group and a major base. Petersen retired from the Marine Corps


in 1988 after 38 years of service. At the time of his retirement he was, by date of designa- tion, the senior-ranking aviator in the Marine Corps and the United States Navy. Petersen died last year at his home in


Stevensville, Maryland, near Annapolis, at the age of 83. This is the fi rst ship to be named for Petersen. “The courage and perseverance of Lt.


Gen. Petersen throughout his distinguished and ground-breaking career make him espe- cially deserving of this honor,” said Mabus. “Those who serve aboard DDG 121 will, for decades, carry on the storied legacy of this Marine Corps hero.” Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct


a variety of operations from peacetime pres- ence and crisis response to sea control and power projection. DDG 121 will be capable of fi ghting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously, and will contain a combina- tion of off ensive and defensive weapon sys- tems designed to support maritime warfare including integrated air and missile defense and vertical launch capabilities. Construction began on the future USS


Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) April 27 at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and the ship is expected to enter the Navy fl eet in 2020. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. will be built in


the Flight IIA confi guration with the AEGIS Baseline 9 Combat System which includes Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability. This system delivers quick re- action time, high fi repower and increased electronic countermeasures capability for Anti-Air Warfare. The ship will be 509 feet long, have a


beam length of 59 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.


Maine Coastal News is now entirely online:


www.mainescoast.com


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