News

Oct. 21, 2016
Disrupting the research process: changing materials science with robotics, AI and autonomy

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --ARES may not look like Johnny Five, the famous robot from the 1986 movie scene, but this robot’s ability to integrate robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science is altering materials research in a big way at Air Force Research Laboratory.The AFRL
Oct. 7, 2016
‘Speed mentoring’ matches mentors, protégés

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Nervous laughter and quiet conversation ensued as participants entered a room set with cloth-covered tables, bowls of mints and punch. Light music played in the background, setting the scene for what looked to be another round of speed dating in the Dayton
Oct. 7, 2016
Flexible batteries: evolving energy for the ‘new’ reality

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- It’s a $7 million research industry today, expected to be worth $400 million dollars by 2025. For researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, the “energy” spent in this research area is worth much more. By using
Sept. 2, 2016
Air Force advances rocket technology, tests first full-scale component of Hydrocarbon Boost Program

The United States is one step closer to eliminating its reliance on Russian technology to launch its military satellites. The Hydrocarbon Boost Technology Demonstrator, a U.S. Air Force technology effort focused on development of Oxygen Rich Staged Combustion rocket engine technology, has recently
Aug. 29, 2016
Fueling the future: Air Force Title III program working to “home-grow” biofuels for DOD, industry

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Creating, maintaining, protecting and expanding critical technology and technology resources is paramount to national security. A need to address increases in petroleum costs with an environmentally-friendly fuel source has led to a new way of looking at
Aug. 12, 2016
Materials and Manufacturing Directorate hosts DARPA leadership

Dr. Lawrence Drummy, a material scientist is the Functional Materials Division, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Lab (left) provides an overview of current research in Nano Tomography for Dr. Stephanie Tompkins, Director, Defense Sciences Office, Defense Advanced Research
July 29, 2016
AFRL partners with America Makes to refine Air Force aircraft part replacement

This will be the first project under a new five-year cooperative agreement between the Air Force Research Laboratory and America Makes, which was created to help advance the U.S. 3D printing industry, also known as additive manufacturing.In order to deal with challenges related to the sustainment of