We report research and development conducted to enable the safe implementation of a highly enantioselective palladium-catalyzed desymmetrization of a meso−bis-ester using trimethylsilylazide (TMSN 3 ) as the nucleophile. This work is used as a case example to discuss safe practices when considering the use of azide reagents or intermediates, with a focus on the thermodynamic and quantitative analysis of the hazards associated with hydrazoic acid (HN 3 ).

Personnel who maintain Facility Related Control Systems (FRCS) of any type are required to implement cybersecurity to attain and maintain an Authority to Operate (ATO) on their respective systems. This document is a guide for installation personnel owning and operating control systems to assist in addressing the cybersecurity process for FRCS in the Army through the Risk Management Framework (RMF) approach, which encompasses six steps. This manual walks the reader through the administrative aspects of each step.

A practical procedure for the efficient removal of pinanol from the reaction mixture has been developed. The process was based on the observation that pinanol can be easily removed by steam distillation in the laboratory. On-scale, a continuous counter-current column stripper was implemented to remove pinanol.

In military base camp operations, the standard method of power generation is via the use of diesel generators. Unfortunately, these generators are often noisy and inefficient. Base camps could benefit from a “silent camp™” operation, in which power is supplied via low-noise, low-impact methods such as fuel cells. Base camps have a variable load profile (they use more power during peak hours than at other times), and low loading levels (their generators’ rated capacity is normally much greater than the load). Consequently, the generators only operate at peak efficiency for short, intermittent intervals. Under these conditions, the generators’ fuel use is less than optimal, they require frequent maintenance, and their life cycle is shortened. Approximately 60–70% of maintenance problems for diesel generators are directly attributable to “wetstacking,” which occurs when these generators are operated at less than 50% of their rated capacity (Commerce Business Daily, Feb. 16, 2000). One solution to address these issues is to institute a hybrid power system, consisting of: a fuel cell (with inverter), an electrolyzer, and a metal hydride storage system, all coupled and packaged with a diesel generator. This system would enable the generator to operate at peak efficiency while increasing the capabilities of the power generation system. Such a system could offer numerous benefits over the base case stand alone generator as follows: (1) the ability for Silent Camp™ operation (by using the fuel cell output exclusively); (2) potential for reduced fuel consumption; (3) reduced instances of “wetstacking,” thereby decreasing generator maintenance costs; (4) the ability to have backup power from fuel cells; (5) refueling capability for hydrogen devices or vehicles; and (6) reduced environmental impact in terms of pollutant, acoustic, and thermal emissions.