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Soldiers pitch mold detection solution to Pentagon
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division may have found a solution to the Army’s mold detection problem with the Mold Conditions Awareness Tool, a specialized 3D-printed device that uses sensors to detect temperature and humidity levels within barracks rooms to identify early signs of mold.
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division may have found a solution to the Army’s mold detection problem with the Mold Conditions Awareness Tool, a specialized 3D-printed device that uses sensors to detect temperature and humidity levels within barracks rooms to identify early signs of mold.
According to a recent report, more than 2,000 Army facilities were found to have mold during a service-wide inspection, posing health risks to soldiers and impacting military readiness.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As part of our whole-of-community effort to combat ongoing mold issues across Fort Stewart, our Marne Innovation Team developed the Mold Conditions Awareness Tool (MCAT). The MCAT is an app that will connect to sensors installed in the barracks. <a href="https://t.co/oOowDQ7xG7">pic.twitter.com/oOowDQ7xG7</a></p>— 3rd Infantry Division (@3rd_Infantry) <a href="https://twitter.com/3rd_Infantry/status/1616460494541361153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Mold Conditions Awareness Tool, developed by Army 1st Lt. Chris Aliperti and Pvt. Salem Ezz, could help address this issue by providing real-time data on temperature and humidity levels to leaders in other locations, allowing them to assess conditions remotely.
The Mold Conditions Awareness Tool was developed as part of the Dragon’s Lair competition, created by the XVIII Airborne Corps in partnership with the U.S. Special Operations Command. The competition provides soldiers and service members with the opportunity to develop creative solutions to technical problems faced by troops.
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Winners of the competition receive valuable feedback from experts in the civilian sector, including a patent expert who offers guidance on intellectual property protection. U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Kathi Vidal served as a judge on the Dragon’s Lair panel during the March 29 competition, praising the soldiers for their innovative solutions.
“I thought all the ideas today were so phenomenal,” Vidal said in a release. “We saw these innovators really put their boots on the ground to see their projects through and create concrete solutions for real problems the Army currently faces.”
In a statement released by the Army, Aliperti expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to present his ideas to leaders across the Department of Defense. “It is not every day you get to present your ideas on improving the Army to a three and four-star general, so it was a great honor to be selected,” he said.
Private Salem Ezz also expressed his pride in being recognized for his technical skills in software engineering and product management. “This tool has been months in the making and it feels great that the hard work has been recognized by the Department of Defense,” he said.
The Mold Conditions Awareness Tool is currently in beta test mode, being used for mold detection to assess barracks at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The success of the tool could lead to broader deployment across the Army, helping to address the mold problem and improve the health and readiness of soldiers.
The Army’s commitment to innovation and problem-solving, exemplified by the Dragon’s Lair competition and the Mold Conditions Awareness Tool, demonstrates the potential for soldiers and service members to make valuable contributions to the military through creativity and collaboration. By supporting and promoting these efforts, the Army is positioning itself to be at the forefront of technological advancement and effectiveness.
