Advanced Materials

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

Recent Inquiries

What information is available on solid-fuel ramjet (1) fuel manufacturing, (2) fuel testing, and (3) formulations?

What information is available on solid-fuel ramjet (1) fuel manufacturing, (2) fuel testing, and (3) formulations?

Who are subject matter experts in the areas of energetic material chemistry, propellant formulations, and diagnostics?

Who are subject matter experts in the areas of energetic material chemistry, propellant formulations, and diagnostics?

Who are subject matter experts in the areas of shock physics, optical diagnostics, and propellant chemistry?

Who are subject matter experts in the areas of shock physics, optical diagnostics, and propellant chemistry?

Articles

An atomic-scale close-up of the copper-lithium particle, one of many embedded in the microstructure of the nanocrystalline copper-tantalum-lithium alloy. The blue features represent the lithium atoms, the yellow features represent the tantalum atoms encasing the lithium atoms and the orange features represent the surrounding copper matrix. (Lehigh University)

Army Researchers, Academia Create Stronger, More Durable Copper That Could Advance Military Systems

ADELPHI, Md. – U.S. Army researchers, in collaboration with academic partners, invented a stronger copper that could help advance defense, energy, and aerospace industries thanks to its ability to endure unprecedented temperature and pressure extremes….

A Northwestern University-led research team has developed the first two-dimensional (2D) mechanically interlocked material. With 100 trillion mechanical bonds per 1 square centimeter, the new material contains highest density of mechanical bonds ever achieved. Credit: Mark Seniw, Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine, Northwestern University

Chainmail-Like Polymer Could Be the Future of Body Armor

Researchers supported by grants and instrumentation provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation have created the first 2D polymer material that mechanically interlocks, much like chainmail, and used an advanced imaging technique to show its…

photo of bonded magnet

Scientists Develop Rare Earth Free Magnet for Use in Industrial Motors

Many of the industrial motors used today are induction motors. However, permanent magnet motors are generally more efficient than induction motors and can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially for factories and plants…

Webinars

Many tiny fibers twisted together into one larger strand

Computational Tools to Predict the Response of UHMWPE Composites to Impact

Ultra-high, molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites are advanced materials that lack experimentally driven, physics-based computational tools for predicting their response. This challenge exists for traditional fiber-based UHMWPE composites in a softer matrix material, as well…

researcher using pipette in a science lab

The Next Frontier in Energy and Materials: Turbostratic Graphene

Unlike conventional single- or few-layer graphene, turbostratic graphene, which is derived from biomass feedstock, can perform across a wide range of metrics and applications. To raise awareness and increase domestic production of turbostratic graphene, this…

Metallic parts on a table

Better, Faster, Cheaper Metallic Components: NSF’s HAMMER-ERC

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing, Moving from Evolution to Revolution Engineering Research Center (NSF HAMMER-ERC) is a collaboration between five universities to develop agile manufacturing systems that use new tools and advanced…

Events

Image of warfighters traversing urban terrain with an unmanned vehicle.

Future Force Capabilities Conference & Exhibition

The NDIA 2025 Future Forces Capabilities Conference & Exhibition will discuss how new technologies and capabilities will influence future military operations. The conference will provide a platform for collaboration between the defense industry and military…

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

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.

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

During the week of 24-28 March 2025, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), on behalf of the U.S. Department of defense (DoD) Space Community of Interest (COI), will host a virtual technology interchange meeting…