TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01 - TRADOC - U.S. Army

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01EnergyAlternative energy sources will become more prevalent. Hydrogen, various forms of atomicenergy, and hybrid systems, will reduce reliance on fossil fuels for powering our society, thusreducing oil dependence. Derivatives of alternate energy sources may replace or enhance currentbattery technology. A National Aeronautics and Space Administration study of cosmic energysuggests that humans only understand four percent of the matter in the universe, so there remainsa potential to tap the unknown. 177 New types of energy, such as positronic energy conversion,zero point energy, and high energy density materials, along with currently available directenergy, have the potential to meet some of our energy needs. As an example of new S&Tresearch, positronic energy conversion and zero point energy theoretically could produce energywithout a radiation byproduct. 178As is the case in many otherdisciplines, the integration of two ormore of these emerging technologiesoften creates a synergy where the wholeis greater than the sum of its parts. Forexample, a nano machine may serve as acarrier for a chemical or pharmaceuticalagent. A computer implant can help torestore a biological/physical function.These examples also serve to illustratethe growing trend toward developingdual-use technologies. That nanomachine used as a medical device todeliver a drug to a precise location in thehuman body can be easily adapted todeliver a lethal agent.While man has consistently demonstrated a propensity to turn S&T advancements intoinstruments of war, it is of some comfort that over the long term, advancements often have anoverall positive impact on the human condition. Neutral in and of themselves, this positiveimpact is a result of their ultimately responsible use once integrated into the human dimension.8-3. Integration of S&TTechnological efforts to improve human performance come from all areas of S&Tdevelopment and are often combinations of two or more disciplines. A sample of the DefenseAdvanced Research Projects Agency’s projects include efforts to provide an individual moreenergy, require less sleep, allow smarter and faster analysis of information, build strongerexoskeletons, augment cognition, improve digestion, and produce tougher bodies. 179 Takentogether, these projects aim to enable Soldiers to perform at peak efficiency. In the near future,such internal enhancements will rely on mechanical augmentation, drugs, and psychologicalbehavior modifications. In the longer term, gene manipulation may strive to improve humanperformance while nanotech implants dispense advanced drugs to increase efficiency of the174