-
New way to make sensors that detect toxic chemicals
Ohio State University researchers use extremely pure, very small metal-oxide nanoparticles to make materials for gas sensors that detect toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and biological warfare agents
-
-
Laser weapons suffer heat problems during tests
Laser weapons hold the promise of providing effecting defense against missiles, but in recent tests several prototypes of laser weapons have suffered serious damage to their optics at intensities well below the expected levels of tolerance
-
-
Israel orders first stealth F-35 squadron
Bolstering its military capabilities, Israel places an order with Lockheed Martin for its first squadron of F-35 stealth fighter jets; the first aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Israel in 2014
-
-
German WWII stealth-plane recreated
Nazi Germany was on the verge of developing the world’s first stealth airplane; sixty years later, Northrop Grumman engineers have recreated a top-secret German airplane that could have affected the course of the Second World War
-
-
New fire-resistant coating materials developed
Aussie researchers develop HIPS — Hybrid Inorganic Polymer System — coating; it can withstand temperatures of more than 1,000°C compared to current commercial coatings used on building materials and structures, which break down between 150-250°C
-
-
Northrop wins U.S. Navy ray gun contract
Northrop Grumman is the maker of the first electric solid-state battle-strength ray gun module; the company is awarded $98 million to provide a demonstrator Maritime Laser system capable of being fitted to U.S. warships of frigate size and up
-
-
Rat-like rescue robot uses whiskers to feel its way through rubble
Researchers developed rat-like robot which can crawl through — and under — rubble in search for victims trapped under collapsed buildings; robot uses long plastic whiskers at the side of its head to detect objects and radio back to a control center
-
-
European researchers create largest quantum key distribution network
Researchers from several European institutions unite in creating the largest quantum key distribution network ever built; a big step toward practical implementation of quantum encryption
-
-
Aerovironment wins a $2.1 million Phase 2 contract for tiny fluttering UAV
Aerovironment wins more money to develop its Nano Air Vehicle; the tiny, insect-size robot, flies and hovers using flapping wings like a hummingbird
-
-
U.S. Army considers blimps as anti-missile defense
The U.S. Army is testing blimps for detecting, tracking, and shooting down cruise missiles; the radar-equipped aerostats are tethered balloons resembling blimps
-
-
New laser weapon is easier on the eyes
U.S. soldiers manning checkpoints in Iraq and Afghanistan are now equipped with lasers which temporarily blind drivers of vehicles speeding toward the check point; earlier lasers at times injured U.S. soldiers
-
-
Researchers develop ways for humans to use bat-like sonar vision
A team of Spanish researchers has developed a method of giving humans the power of echolocation or “biosonar” — used by bats for flying at night; first responders, search-and-rescue teams will be able to “see” through smoke, bodies, walls
-
-
New underwater laser robot network to protect U.S. coast line
Co-operating underwater robots rapidly identify and communicate potential threats in murky waters
-
-
Ground-penetrating radar helps border patrol to spot tunnels
DHS researchers place radar antennas in a trailer which is towed by a Border Patrol truck; the antennas shoot a signal directly into the ground and use it to construct a multi-colored picture of the earth; tunnels show up as red, yellow, and aquamarine dots against a blue background
-
-
DARPA wants to stop biothreats before they spread
DARPA is looking to accelerate the response to pathogens, stopping the bugs before they even start; the goal: persistent, universal immunity by speeding up long-term resistance to new and unknown pathogens
-
The long view
Nuclear Has Changed. Will the U.S. Change with It?
Fueled by artificial intelligence, cloud service providers, and ambitious new climate regulations, U.S. demand for carbon-free electricity is on the rise. In response, analysts and lawmakers are taking a fresh look at a controversial energy source: nuclear power.
Exploring the New Nuclear Energy Landscape
In the last few years, the U.S. has seen a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy and its potential for helping meet the nation’s growing demands for clean electricity and energy security. Meanwhile, nuclear energy technologies themselves have advanced, opening up new possibilities for their use.