Next Big Future February 21, 2024 The startup EpiSci will use AI software to leverage infrared satellite data from the Space Development Agency (SDA) future constellation of hundreds of satellites. The satellites will have overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) sensors. EpiSci’s modular Tactical AI is positioned to solve emerging challenges by delivering AI/ML enhanced algorithms for rapid, low-latency detection, classification, and predictive tracking at the edge. These emerging systems will be able to intelligently focus resources on objects of interest and adapt to never-before-seen targets. It is partnering with Raytheon Missile Systems to provide representative training and evaluation datasets of hypersonic […]
Tag Archives: Military technology
‘Smart’ coating can be precisely applied to make fabric into protective gear
Science Daily January 9, 2023 Previously a team of researchers in the US (Dartmouth University, Maine University, DEVCOM Aberdeen Proving Ground) had developed conductive metal-organic technology (framework) which was a simple coating that could be layered onto cotton and polyester to create smart fabrics. In their current work, instead of the simple coating they precisely embedded the framework into fabrics using a copper precursor that allowed them to create specific patterns and more effectively fill in the tiny gaps and holes between threads. They found that the framework technology effectively converted the toxin nitric oxide into nitrite and nitrate, and […]
DARPA Seeks Ionospheric Insights to Improve Communication Across Domains
DARPA April 22, 2022 DARPA’s new Ouija program aims to use sensors on low-orbiting satellites to provide new insights into HF radio wave propagation in the ionosphere. Ouija will augment ground-based measurements with in-situ measurements from space, in very low- Earth orbit (VLEO), to develop and validate accurate, near real-time HF propagation predictions. The VLEO altitude regime is of particular interest due to its information-rich environment where ionospheric electron density is at a maximum. The program includes two technical areas. The first technical area announced in a solicitation, seeks to develop, qualify, launch, and operate multiple small satellites carrying scientific […]
Innovative textile vents to release heat when you sweat
Phys.org December 15, 20212 Researchers at Duke University have developed and demonstrated a multimodal adaptive wearable with moisture-responsive flaps composed of a nylon/metal heterostructure, which can simultaneously regulate convection, sweat evaporation, and mid-infrared emission to accomplish large and rapid heat transfer tuning in response to human perspiration vapor. They showed that the metal layer not only plays a crucial role in low-emissivity radiative heating but also enhances the bimorph actuation performance. The multimodal adaptive mechanism expands the thermal comfort zone by 30.7 and 20.7% more than traditional static textiles and single-modal adaptive wearables without any electricity and energy input, making […]
Scientists develop chain mail fabric that can stiffen on demand
Science Daily August 12, 2021 Structured fabrics, such as woven sheets or chain mail armours, design can target desirable characteristics, such as high impact resistance, thermal regulation, or electrical conductivity. However, the properties are usually fixed. An international team of researchers (Singapore, USA – Caltech) has developed new chain fabric that is flexible like cloth but can stiffen on demand. It comprises hollow octahedrons that interlock with each other. Increase in bending resistance arises because the interlocking particles have high tensile resistance. They found that chain mails, consisting of different non-convex granular particles, undergo a jamming phase transition that is […]
Bird’s-eye view could be key to navigating without GPS
Science Daily July 27, 2021 Working under a project co-supported by the US Army, an international team of researchers (Germany, UK, USA – Purdue University, UT Dallas, China) has demonstrated that cryptochrome 4, a protein in birds’ retinas is sensitive to magnetic fields. They identified the molecular mechanism underlying this sensitivity. They extracted the genetic code for cryptochrome 4 and produced the photoactive protein in large quantities using bacterial cell cultures. They used a wide range of magnetic resonance and novel optical spectroscopy techniques to demonstrate its pronounced sensitivity to magnetic fields due to electron transfer reactions triggered by absorption […]
New material could mean lightweight armor, protective coatings
Science Daily July 19, 2021 An international team of researchers (USA – MIT, Caltech, Switzerland) has fabricated nanoarchitectured materials, that absorb the impact of microscopic projectiles accelerated to supersonic speeds. According to their calculations the new material absorbs impacts more efficiently than steel, Kevlar, aluminum, and other impact-resistant materials of comparable weight. Tests revealed that consistent mechanisms such as compaction cratering and microparticle capture enable this superior response. They introduced predictive tools for crater formation in these materials using dimensional analysis. These results substantially uncover the dynamic regime over which nanoarchitecture enables the design of ultralightweight, impact-resistant materials that could […]
DARPA Selects Teams to Defend Against Chemical, Biological Threats from Inside and Out
DARPA News April 19, 2021 DARPA’s Personalized Protective Biosystem (PPB) aims to address PPE limitations, including threat-specific vulnerabilities, thermal/logistical burdens, and potential exposure risk. The five-year program is divided into two technical areas (TAs). TA1 technologies aim to prevent external contact between the threat and the body, providing 100% survival against more than 10 CB agents with smart, lightweight materials. TA2 technologies will neutralize threats at vulnerable internal tissue barriers (i.e., skin, airway, ocular) using a configurable countermeasure. DARPA recently awarded contracts to develop lightweight materials and adaptable, tissue-protective countermeasures to provide on-demand, broad spectrum, and rapid long-term protection. Performers […]
Army working on new cyber, electromagnetic weapons after large-scale test event
Fedscoop March 15, 2021 Cyber Quest 2021 https://uscc.cyberquests.org/ , was hosted by Army Futures Command and brought in users from across the service to test 15 new technologies. Many of the lessons learned from the 13-day event will be put into procurement requirements documents for new technologies the Army is focused on as part of its broader strategy to deter great power conflict. One of the new parts of the annual exercise was a close partnership with the Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning in Georgia. The Army also tested the use of an offensive cybersecurity measure of […]
Army Trains AI to Identify Faces in the Dark
IEEE Spectrum March 9, 2021 To develop a nighttime and low-light face recognition capability for the unconstrained or difficult lighting settings a team of researchers in the US (West Virginia University, Army Research Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, University of Nebraska, industry) unveiled a dataset called Research Laboratory Visible-Thermal Face Dataset (ARLVTF) with over 500,000 images from 395 subjects. The data was captured using a LWIR camera mounted alongside a stereo setup of three visible spectrum cameras. Variability in expressions, pose, and eyewear were systematically recorded. The dataset has been curated with extensive annotations, metadata, and standardized protocols for evaluation. The […]