MEMS Seminar: James Berry, “ARO Reactive Chemical Systems Program Overview”

Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Fall 2024 Seminar Series, welcomes James Berry, a Chemist with DEVCOM Army Research Lab, who will be giving a talk on “ARO Reactive Chemical Systems Program Overview.”
ABSTRACT: As part of its mission to “operationalize science,” the DEVCOM US Army Research Laboratory prioritizes the discovery of innovative functional materials designed for extreme environments. Towards that end, the goal of the Reactive Chemical Systems Program at the Army Research Office (ARO) is to achieve a molecular level understanding of surface/interfacial activity and dynamic nanostructured chemical systems to provide leap-ahead advancements in Army relevant materials for the benefit of the Soldier. This program supports basic, fundamental research in the areas of surfaces, catalysis, interfaces, coatings, and novel and stimuli-responsive chemical systems. The program is divided into three primary focus areas: (i) Nanostructure Surface Interactions and Reactivity, (ii) Development of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Alternatives, and (iii) Synthetic Molecular Systems. In this seminar, Dr. Berry will provide an overview of ARO, the Sciences of Extreme Materials Competency, as well as the programmatic priorities of the Reactive Chemical Systems Program. Recent program highlights/accomplishments and their potential applicability to the Army will be discussed. Finally, engagement with ARO, ranging from topics including funding mechanisms, the proposal submission process, and government service as a career path will also be discussed.
DR. JAMES BERRY is a Chemist serving DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He received his BS in Chemistry from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA in 2005. From there, he obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE in 2010.
Dr. Berry joined ARL as an ORISE senior researcher in 2013 following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. While at ARL, he has developed research-based solutions in the areas of novel polymers for multifunctional use within biological applications, development of novel mechanophores and their incorporation into elastomeric materials of interest for testing under high-rate impact, and the investigation of reactivity between lithium-ion battery electrolyte solvents and materials of interest under Army relevant scenarios.