Latest Stories

Articles
Software

Physicists Measure a Key Aspect of Superconductivity in ‘Magic-Angle’ Graphene

Physicists at MIT and Harvard University have now directly measured superfluid stiffness for the first time in “magic-angle” graphene — materials that are made from two or more atomically thin sheets of graphene twisted with respect to each other at just the right angle to enable a host of exceptional properties, including unconventional superconductivity. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Manufacturing Spotlight: Advanced Drilling, Threading and Milling Tools Maximize Productivity in Challenging Aerospace Materials

Before threading holes, drilling is a necessary and critical step. Drilling challenging aerospace materials demands an application-specific solution. Stainless, titanium, and nickel- based alloys are highly heat resistant so heat generated during the drilling process is pushed into the cutter. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Propulsion

GE Aerospace is Investing $1 Billion in New Facilities, Materials and Parts

GE Aerospace plans to invest nearly $1 billion in its U.S. factories and supply chain to strengthen manufacturing and increase the use of innovative new parts and...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manned Systems

Delta Air Lines, JetZero to Design Commercial Blended Wing Body Airliner

Delta Air Lines is partnering with JetZero on a revolutionary, more sustainable aircraft that looks and feels like nothing flying today’s commercial skies. The...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Startup Develops Manufacturing Breakthrough for Traveling-Wave Tubes

Traveling-wave tubes (TWTs) are a type of vacuum tube critical for many high-performance applications, including deep space missions, satellites, and electronic warfare....

Feature Image

Technology Report
Energy

Hydrogen Storage Tank Options: Not Everything Need Look like a Sausage

Since the 1860 Hippomoblie, hydrogen has been a part of powered mobility. Today, most hydrogen storage applications use cylindrical tanks, but other solutions are...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Printing Parts for Ships, Submarines and Underwater Vehicles

Additive manufacturing has been a game-changer in helping to create parts and equipment for the Department of Defense’s (DoD's) industrial base. A naval facility in...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manned Systems

DARPA is Transitioning NOM4D from Labs to In-Space Manufacturing Demos

Based on outstanding technical progress by research teams to date, DARPA has pivoted the third and final phase of its NOM4D (pronounced nō- mad) program[1] from planned...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Design

Can Microvanes Improve Fuel Efficiency for Legacy Air Force Aircraft?

Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command are entering the final phase of evaluation for Microvane drag reduction technology on the C-17 Globemaster III....

Feature Image

Articles
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Manufacturing Spotlight: Machining Complex Parts and Materials for Space Flight and Exploration

This is the first article in a new section of Aerospace & Defense Technology called “Manufacturing Spotlight,” where we will cover some of the latest machines, tools, and other technologies being used by aerospace and defense industry design and manufacturing engineers. The first topic in this new section is “Machines,” specifically the computer numerical control machines. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Shape-Shifting Antenna Poised to Transform Communications

By leveraging cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and shape memory alloys, researchers have created an antenna that can change its shape based on its temperature. This technology has transformative potential in a wide range of military, scientific and commercial applications. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Clean Sky Demonstrator Fuselage Shows Potential of Thermoplastics in Aircraft Production

Suspended between discrete skeletal jigs, it wouldn't attract a second glance on an aircraft assembly line. Yet inside an anonymous hangar in northern...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Supernova to 3D Print Military Grade Energetic Materials

The American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI) has awarded a $2 million subcontract to Supernova Defense & Space to 3D print military-grade energetic materials.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

How the Navy is Using Additive Manufacturing to Protect Submarine Hatch Bolts

Commander, Submarine Forces is researching the usage of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to address operational needs, in collaboration with midshipmen from...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

How Off-Gassing Keeps Divers, Submariners Safe From Toxin-Releasing Materials

Everyone knows that new car smell — the chemical odor wafting off the new plastics, fabrics and other materials in a vehicle's interior. Those smells are caused...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Characterizing the Performance of Variable Emissivity Materials in Space

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) launched the Space Power InfraRed Regulation and Analysis of Lifetime, or SPIRRAL, experiment, Nov. 4, 2024. SPIRRAL, flown by...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Defense

Advancing Metal Alloy Systems and Processes for Defense Manufacturing

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, in collaboration with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Lockheed Martin Adds New Additive Manufacturing Machines to Texas Facility

Lockheed Martin recently added 16,000-square-feet of new additive manufacturing space to their facility located in Grand Prairie, Texas. This expansion includes some...

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Making a Material Difference in Aerospace & Defense Electronics

Laminate materials are indispensable in the manufacture of boards and flexible circuitry for aerospace and defense electronics. Their unique properties address stringent demands, ensuring systems perform reliably under extreme conditions. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Briefs
Materials

Scientists Fuse Simulations and Machine Learning to Accelerate Novel Additively Manufactured Materials

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory have demonstrated a novel approach for applying machine learning to predict microstructures produced by a widely used additive manufacturing technique. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Briefs
Propulsion

‘First of Its Kind’ Composite Material to Help Space Vessels Travel Longer Distances

Dr. Ashwath Pazhani along with an international team of researchers have created a new material for storing the liquid hydrogen used to propel rockets into space by the likes of NASA. The new material is lighter than the current material used. Read on to learn more about it.

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

These Speedy Cold Spray Machines Can 3D Print Vehicle Parts in War Zones

As “point of need” additive manufacturing emerges as a priority for the Department of Defense, Australian 3D printing provider SPEE3D is one of several companies demonstrating that its machines can rapidly produce castings, brackets, valves, mountings and other common replacement parts and devices that warfighters often need in an on-demand schedule when deployed near or directly within combat zones. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Top Aerospace OEMs Taking Action to Prevent Unapproved Parts From Entering Supply Chain

The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition released its report recommending specific actions the aerospace industry should take to help prevent...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Materials

Army Evaluates 3D Printing for Bradley Fighting Vehicle's Transmission Mount

SPEE3D, an Melbourne, Australia-based supplier of additive manufacturing technology successfully participated in the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development...

Feature Image

Briefs
Materials

Machine Learning Unlocks Secrets to Advanced Alloys

Killian Sheriff and Yifan Cao, MIT graduate students, are using machine learning to quantify, atom-by-atom, the complex chemical arrangements that make up the concept of short-range order. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Briefs
Energy

Using Artificial Intelligence to Find the Polymers of the Future

Finding the next groundbreaking polymer is always a challenge, but now Georgia Tech researchers are using AI to shape and transform the future of the field. Rampi Ramprasad’s group develops and adapts AI algorithms to accelerate materials discovery. Read on to learn more.

Feature Image

Articles
Materials

Making the Rounds in Aerospace: Tooling and Techniques for Discs, Blisks and Rings

Aerospace engine components like discs, blisks and rings are engineered to perform in extreme operating environments. They need to withstand intense heat and stress and be as lightweight as possible to meet exacting specifications. Read on to learn more about these components.

Feature Image

INSIDER
Regulations/Standards

Is the Department of Defense Stockpiling Enough Critical Materials?

The Department of Defense (DoD) maintains the National Defense Stockpile to store materials that are strategic and critical to defense and essential civilian needs in times...

Feature Image

INSIDER
Electronics & Computers

DARPA Selects Texas for Open-Access Semiconductor Microsystem Fabrication Facility

Seeking to ensure America’s national security and global military leadership, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has selected the Texas...

Feature Image