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Traditional materials and processes for science, engineering, and technologies in the context of defense systems and military applications.

Recent Inquiries

What U.S. manufacturers have experience processing thermoplastic composites on large-acreage aerospace structures (i.e., 4-ft x 6-ft structures with simple or complex curvatures), and do any of them accept outside purchase-order/prototyping work from industry?

What U.S. manufacturers have experience processing thermoplastic composites on large-acreage aerospace structures (i.e., 4-ft x 6-ft structures with simple or complex curvatures), and do any of them accept outside purchase-order/prototyping work from industry?

How can U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) organizations register for and access the Japanese National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) database?

How can U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) organizations register for and access the Japanese National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) database?

What is the state of the science on liquid metal embrittlement?

What is the state of the science on liquid metal embrittlement?

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Articles

Technologist Jamie Meza guides a torpedo anchor prototype as it is lifted over a test bed at the Drop Tower facility. The anchor is being tested for use with offshore wind turbines. (Photo by Craig Fritz)
External Government
December 17, 2024

The Big Drop

Beside a 50-foot-deep pool, a 300-foot metal tower rises into the air at Sandia New Mexico. Cables and a vertical guided trolley attached to the tower allow personnel to hoist objects to varying heights so…

graphic of blue and purple satellite in space
External Non-Government
December 17, 2024

Shape-Shifting Antenna Poised to Transform Communications

By leveraging cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and shape memory alloys, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, have created an antenna that can change its shape based on its temperature….

The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, launched the Space Power InfraRed Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment, Nov. 4, 2024. SPIRRAL, flown by AFRL through the DOD Space Test Program, will characterize the performance of Variable Emissivity Materials, or VEMs, an approach toward solving thermal challenges for space vehicles while on-orbit. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Greg Gerken)
External Government
December 17, 2024

Revolutionizing Space-Based Thermal Systems: AFRL’s SPIRRAL Launch on SPX-31

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, launched the Space Power InfraRed Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment, Nov. 4, 2024. SPIRRAL, flown by AFRL through the DoD…

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Webinars

A 3-D printer for metal from Naval Surface Warfare Center

Digital Twin Research and Development for a Metal Additive Manufacturing Process

A laser-based metal additive manufacturing process offers lower heat input; thus leading to less base metal distortion compared to traditional welding processes. Digital twin (DT) is a critical technology, as it gives insights into many…

NISAR Instrument in NASA JPL clean room
December 11, 2024 12:00 pm

Antenna Systems for Space Applications at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Antenna developments for space applications have a long history at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Starting from the 1970s, Voyager; Galileo; Cassini; the Shutter Radar Topography mission; and, more recently,…

Global Navigation System microsatellite observatories hovering in space

Launch Site Selection Using Inland Commercial Spaceports for Constellation Deployment

As nontraditional, inland spaceports start to become operational, there is a need to understand the viability of deploying satellite constellations from these potential commercial offerings for launching. This work investigates how utilizing a small launch…

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Events

An artist's concept of the International Space Station orbiting the Earth. The Moon, and a red spot indicating Mars is also present.
January 29, 2025 - January 30, 2025

SpaceCom

SpaceCom | Space Congress exclusively draws participation from industry leaders and organizations with the power to drive new space strategies, fuel forward progress, signal demand for continued innovation, inform policy, and institute a sustainable future…

Illustration of a satellite connecting wirelessly from space to various military ground assets.
March 24, 2025 - March 28, 2025

2025 Space Technologies Independent Research & Development (IR&D) Technology Interchange Meeting

During the week of 24-28 March 2025, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), on behalf of the DoD Space Community of Interest (COI), will host a virtual technology interchange meeting (TIM) with industry partners invested…

Military First Responders holding a fire hose for fire control operations.
March 10, 2025 - March 13, 2025

2025 National Fire Control Symposium

The National Fire Control Symposium (NFCS) is a tri-service supported event with technical program lead advisory rotating among the services. The U.S. Navy will provide lead technical advisorship for the March 2025 event in its…

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