Excitement 'STEMs' from visit to 405th AFSB laboratory

By Steven J. Stanfill, 405th AFSB Public AffairsFebruary 19, 2015

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Students from Kaiserslautern Middle School listen as Dr. Davoud Tehranfar, a scientist with the Army Oil Analysis Program Laboratory, located on Kaiserslautern Army Depot, Germany, explains the process of extracting and testing oil samples. (Photo by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Students from Kaiserslautern Middle School visited the Army Oil Analysis Program Laboratory-Europe recently to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

"[The] AOAP is a Department of Defense program used to detect impending equipment component failures and determine lubricant conditions through online and laboratory evaluation of oil samples," said Heidi Bodeit, director, AOAP-Europe.

This was the first time that KMS students visited this laboratory. The outing was led by Dr. Davoud Tehranfar, a STEM scientist who works there.

The STEM program is a U.S. Department of Education initiative that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in an effort to increase the number of students and teachers who are proficient in these vital fields.

The AOAP, operated by the 405th Army Field Support Brigade at the Kaiserslautern Army Depot, provides commanders in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia with oil analysis capabilities. Its primary mission is to accept oil samples from both aircraft and ground-based vehicles and analyze them for flaws and inconsistencies. After receipt of the samples, the lab has 24 hours to analyze and report back to aviation commanders, and 72 to report back to ground commanders.

"It is a relatively quick process to sample the lubricants in a piece of equipment," Tehranfar said. "That action can save hours of maintenance downtime through early detection of problems, such as faulty air induction systems, leaking cooling systems, loose crossover lubricant lines and abnormal wear rates of moving metal parts."

"This lab offers units an opportunity to have their equipment's oil and other fluids tested with some of the most technologically advanced tools available, thus enhancing the ability to make sound, proactive and cost-effective maintenance decisions," said Tehranfar who has been working at the lab since 1996.

He emphasized that testing an oil sample is much like collecting forensic evidence.

"The demand for various types of machine lubricants continues to rise," he said. "Global lubricant demand was 37 million tons in 2013 and is expected to reach 44 million tons by 2020."

Tehranfar walked the 18 students through the process of extracting an oil sample, inspecting it through a microscope, photographing and electronically testing it for impurities.

"A successful analysis helps ensure that reasonable usage of natural resources and avoiding unnecessary waste is possible," he said.

Tehranfar explained that understanding and applying STEM concepts goes far beyond the traditional occupations of a scientist, technologist, engineer and mathematician.

"Lubricant analysis is a diagnostic tool which gives us a picture of the internal condition of a component or system without taking it apart," he said.

"I am amazed at the amount of work and scientific expertise that goes into this process," said Karenna Fife, a KMS eighth-grader. "It makes me even more excited about STEM."

The KMS has a very active STEM program encouraging students to participate.

The program offers students a collaborative, cohesive array of programs that effectively engage, inspire and attract the next generation of STEM talent from middle-school through college, thereby exposing students to STEM careers in the DoD.

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