Page 6 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 8-28-15
P. 6
Desert Wings August 28, 2015
6 www.aerotechnews.com/edwardsafb facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
Air Force, Ohio, based business develop
chemical-, herbicide-free weed zapper
by Timothy Anderl resources. Edwards Air Force Base, California, like other *RRG1HLJKERU,QFSKRWRJUDSKE\%HQ(GZDUGV
Air Force Small Business Innovation Research and Air Force bases, complies with these requirements by
6PDOO%XVLQHVV7HFKQRORJ\7UDQVIHU3URJUDP2I¿FH preparation and implementation of an Integrated Natural
Resources Management Plan. The purpose of the plan
$Q\RQHZLWKDODZQRUDEHDXWLIXOÀRZHURUYHJHWDEOH is to protect the natural environment in concert with the
garden, has surely wondered about the best method of military mission and is accomplished by ensuring that
controlling or eliminating weeds. the natural habitat and native species of wildlife are sus-
tained.
Using chemicals and herbicides can help, but chemi-
cals may introduce a risk to wildlife, or pollinating in- “Using heat, lasers, sound or some other form of di-
sects like bees, existing in the area of treatment. Besides, rected energy to disrupt, deny or degrade weeds and
bending over to pull weeds can be a pain in the back. shut them down seemed to be a safe, effective means of
weed control that would destroy them in various stages
Performing research under a Small Business Innova- of growth from seeds to maturity,” Reinke said.
tion Research contract, Global Neighbor, Inc., located
in Dayton, Ohio, developed and delivered a hand-held, The technology Global Neighbor, Inc., developed,
battery-operated, weed spot treatment technology that NatureZap DE, has also been commercialized. Global
uses directed energy to control unwanted vegetation. Neighbor launched a pilot activity, which offers the
technology product for sale via Amazon.com. Accord-
“Every year millions of dollars are spent on weed con- ing to the company, the commercial product kills weeds
trol in and around military installations,” said Dr. Danny in pavers, sidewalks, gardens and yards without use of
Reinke, 412th Civil Engineering Group, who came up chemicals or the risk of harming wildlife living in the
with the concept and developed the SBIR proposal. treated area.
Reinke was also the government project manager after “The user simply points the NatureZap DE at the un-
a contractor was selected. wanted vegetation, pushes a button, and the weed dies,”
said Jon Jackson, Global Neighbor’s principal investi-
“Weed control can either be performed chemically, gator on the project. “Having sold many units, to good
by applying poisonous herbicides, or mechanically, by reviews, Global Neighbor now has a clearer picture of
mowing or tilling. Herbicide use has negative impacts ZKHUHWKLVXQLTXHWHFKQRORJ\FDQEHXVHGWREHQH¿WWKH
on wildlife populations, so having a cost-effective de- owner.
vice that eliminates their use or reduces the amount of
machinery was one of our goals.” “For instance, the technology can be used to control
weeds around ornamental ponds without the risk of ex-
The Sikes Act and Air Force Instruction 32-7064 re-
quire the Department of Defense to manage the natu- See HERBICIDE, Page 7
ral resources of each military reservation within the
U.S. and to provide sustained multiple uses of those
STORAGE SPECIAL
Military , Law Enforcement, Fire Dept & EMT
Thank you for your service
50% OFF!
Any Size Unit For One Year!
ūʹ̋ɩÏhhďǒƬʁƬÄǢƬʁNJ
5X7-$25 | 5X10-$32 | 10X10-$52.50 | 10X15-$68 | 10X20-$80 | 10X24-$90 | 15X20-$109
Stor-Rite (661) 948-4322
ɍʹ̋ȳFƖÄ˸ƬƊ³ŘȭƋŘʊǜƬʁ,ÄȳʯǣʯǣſÏǓƋƬƕȳŘȧȊȴɡȧƊŘǜƬÏɡƬȭʕŘȧȊʕɡȧ
