Dr. Saber Hussain (AFRL Photo)

Dr. Saber Hussain (711th Human Performance Wing)

Dr. Rajesh R. Naik (AFRL Photo)

Dr. Rajesh R. Naik (Materials and Manufacturing Directorate)

Dr. Danhong H. Huang (AFRL Photo)

Dr. Danhong H. Huang (Space Vehicles)

Dr. Matthew Dierking (AFRL Photo)

Dr. Matthew Dierking (Sensors Directorate)

Chemical vapor deposition-coated nonwovens. (AFRL Image)

Chemical vapor deposition-coated nonwoven composites, which are used for electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding. Coated nonwovens are as light and conductive as carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets, and cost only a fraction of the price. This SIBR project was undertaken by AFRL and Conductive Composites Company. (AFRL Image)

Nanorod pairs (AFRL Image)

Nanorod pairs produced using a solvent-based method, a process that saves literally months when compared to the traditional method. (AFRL Image)

The hybrid packaged XCOM RF MEMS relay product. (AFRL Image)

The hybrid packaged XCOM radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical (MEMS) relay product. Nanoparticle lubricant (NPL) technology extended the lifecycle of noble metal ohmic contact RF MEMS switches developed for tactical radios. (AFRL Image)

Automated refueling, testing Precision GPS algorithms and advanced sensors. (AFRL Image)

A Learjet, standing in for a Remotely Piloted Aircraft, flies into refueling position during Automated Aerial Refueling flights that tested Precision GPS algorithms and advanced sensors. (AFRL Image)

The Solar Raven small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS). (AFRL Image)

The Solar Raven small unmanned aircraft system, equipped with solar cell technology that will improve flight endurance and flight time, and give special operations personnel added field surveillance capabilities. (AFRL Image)

Schematic of carbon-carbon lifting-body shaped Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (left); an artist’s concept of this type of vehicle traveling within the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds (right).

Schematic of carbon-carbon lifting-body shaped Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (left), created by tape-wrapping large, unique carbon-carbon aircraft shells; (right) an artist’s rendering of this type of vehicle traveling within the atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. (AFRL Image)

Sensors can detect and monitor cracks, such as the one pictured. (AFRL photo)

AFRL engineers are learning more about technologies that could one day detect aircraft damage in real time, detecting cracks such as the one above using sensors, (AFRL photo)

Sensors detect and monitor crack growth in airport component parts. (AFRL photo)

During the Rapid Structural Health Monitoring Designs for Structural Hot Spots testing, AFRL engineers used sensors such as the ones shown to detect and monitor crack growth in a test article. Studying the ability to detect these cracks will help researchers move closer toward a fieldable Structural Health Monitoring system for real-time damage detection on aircraft. (AFRL photo)