What We Learned Today

A commercial company creating software applications and embedded systems for wireless communications, signal processing and machine learning is now working with the Army's national research laboratory. We talk with the CEO and an Army researcher about the partnership.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, also known as ASA(ALT), launched a nationwide competition to revolutionize the way the Army attracts and encourages innovation. It is called xTech! The competition has evolved into something much broader. Now in its fifth iteration, xTech has grown into something of an incubator for promising new defense and dual-use technologies. In this episode of we speak with Dr. Matt Willis, the U.S. Army's director for prize competitions out of ASAALT and Zeke Topolosky from the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory and the xTech program manager about how the Army is jump starting innovation by investing in new ideas. For information on the program, visit https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil/

Senior Research Scientist Dr. Stephen Lee talks about Army investments in science and technology. To maintain global leadership in science and technology, the U.S. Army strives for excellence in a wide variety of disciplines in order to maintain a competitive advantage over its near-peer adversaries on all fronts.Learn more... https://www.army.mil/article/242582

Research in human cognition prepares Army for high-tech warfare. Listen to a senior Army scientist explain how computational neuroscience can enable Soldiers to tap into their brain’s full potential. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/241902/

Scientists at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, are researching agent transparency to support Soldier-autonomy teaming. We talk with the Army's senior research scientist for Soldier Performance in Socio-Technical Systems, Dr. Yun-Sheng "Jessie" Chen about this advanced research. Read more at https://www.army.mil/article/240350/

Atomic physics pushes Army quantum research to greater heights. Listen to a senior Army scientist explain how atomic physics helped galvanize the field of quantum information science. Read more https://www.army.mil/article/241003/

Army Senior Research Scientist Dr. Stephen Lee looks to the edges of science to discover new ways to enhance future Soldier capabilities. Join us for What We Learned Today! Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/242582

In the future, smart technology will likely dominate the battlefield as Soldiers work alongside autonomous agents to complete their mission. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Piotr Franaszczuk, Army’s senior research scientist for Soldier performance neuroscience. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/241902

Quantum information represents one of the Army’s most promising science and technology investments for the future. Several technologies in this field, ranging from quantum computing, simulation, sensing, communication and networks show great potential, according to Army scientists. Join us for an in-depth discussion with the Army’s senior research scientist for the physical sciences and a researcher at the lab’s Army Research Office, Dr. Peter Reynolds. Read more on Army.mil.

Scientists at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, are researching agent transparency to support Soldier-autonomy teaming. We talk with the Army's senior research scientist for Soldier Performance in Socio-Technical Systems, Dr. Yun-Sheng "Jessie" Chen about this advanced research. Read more on Army.mil.

The Army's senior research scientist for mathematics and physics sat down with us for a wide-ranging discussion about the history and future of science. Meet Dr. Bruce West, author of more than 350 scientific papers and 20 books. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/239769

The U.S. military has research programs to study electromagnetic wavelengths of all frequencies. Dr. Mark Govoni, from the U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland, is the Army's senior research scientist for electromagnetics. Join us for a discussion about how electromagnetism offers a truly broad range of scientific and technological applications to support Soldiers at virtually every step of their mission. Read more: Radio frequency research enables Army dominance

We talk to the U.S. Army's senior research scientist for Cyber Resilience. Dr. Alexander Kott is the Army lead researcher for this field, as well as the chief scientist for the U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland. Find out how the Army is seeking new methods to protect and defend American Soldiers in cyberspace! Read this article for more information.

In the age of technology, the Army’s ability to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum can significantly influence the outcome of future conflicts on the battlefield. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory designated several research programs as essential for future Soldier capabilities. Of these major flagship programs, the Foundational Research for Electronic Warfare in Multi-Domain Operations, or FREEDOM, Essential Research Program recognizes the value of electronic warfare competencies as a necessary requirement for success in large-scale combat and multi-domain operations. Join us for a discussion with program manager Dr. Matthew Higgins. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/237128

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory has several research programs it deems essential for future Soldier capabilities. Of these major  programs, the Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver and Mobility Essential Research Program endeavors to reduce Soldier distractions on the battlefield through the integration of autonomous systems in Army vehicles. In this episode of What We Learned Today, we talk with Dr. John Fossaceca, the program manager. Read more at Army.mil

American Soldiers will partner with technology to accomplish the mission on the battlefield of the future. The U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory has an essential research program to focus on Human-Autonomy Teaming. Join us for an in-depth discussion with Army researcher Dr. Amar Marathe about the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning and the quest to make America's Soldiers stronger and safer! Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/236301

Additive manufacturing has the potential to provide Soldiers with cutting-edge munitions. Researchers at the U.S. Army CCDC's Army Research Laboratory are exploring the technology through a program designed to push the application of additive manufacturing to new boundaries. The lab's Tracie Dean speaks with Dr. Jason Robinette, program manager for the Science of Additive Manufacturing for Next Generation Munitions Essential Research Program in this episode of What We Learned Today!

When faced with battlefield threats, American Soldiers depend more than ever on body armor to protect them. To adapt to the evolving dangers of getting shot, the Army created a flagship program dedicated to protection technologies. The U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory has an essential research program to focus attention and resources on this important topic. Join the lab's Tracie Dean for an in-depth discussion with Army researcher Dr. Chris Hoppel about the future of materials engineering and how they plan to make America's Soldiers stronger and safer! Hoppel is the program manager for the lab's Physics of Soldier Protection to Defeat Evolving Threats Essential Research Program at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/232585/

Army scientists and their partners at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a high-energy aqueous lithium-ion battery that won’t catch fire no matter how damaged it becomes. These new batteries continue to operate in conditions where traditional batteries fail. Join ARL's Tracie Dean for a special edition of What We Learned Today with the lab's Dr. Arthur von Wald Cresce! Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/229601/

Cracking the code of how aerodynamics affect high-speed projectiles will enable the Army of the future to realize its number one Army Modernization priority: Long-Range Precision Fires. U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti talks with aerospace engineer Dr. J.D. Vasile from the lab’s Weapons and Materials Research Directorate.

Neuroscience and the Soldier: How will future troops sense, perceive and interact with the world of technology? U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti talks with recently promoted Dr. Vernon Lawhern, a mathematical statistician from the lab's Human Research and Engineering Directorate.

What’s the next big thing? Imagine thinner, stronger and lighter metals, ceramics and plastics. How will that change the world? More importantly what will it mean for the U.S. Army of the future? Dr. Phil Perconti, director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory, talks with up-and-coming materials engineer Dr. Victoria Blair.

Army researchers are looking at how to make future unmanned aircraft systems stealthier. Current rotors are noisy. U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory aerospace engineer Dr. Matthew Floros is investigating a potential technology solution to decrease the sound of certain rotor blades by as much as 10 decibels. That's a lot quieter. Listen to the conversation about what we learned today! Read the academic paper by Dr. Floros: http://www.arl.army.mil/www/pages/shared/documents/quiet.pdf Photos of the Common Research Configuration: https://www.flickr.com/photos/armyresearchlab/albums/72157701825301015  

Join us for a conversation with materials engineer Dr. Marshall Schroeder from the U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory about the future of batteries and the work he's doing to power technology for American Soldiers.

Sometimes experiments don’t go as planned, but researchers end up learning from failure. In this week’s episode, U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti talks with research chemist Dr. Jesse Sabatini about why a possible contender to replace TNT didn’t pass muster.

Imagine a future where a vehicle would convert any form of heat into electricity for ground propulsion. What will that mean for the Army of tomorrow? Let’s find out as Dr. Phil Perconti, director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory talks with computer scientist Justin Shumaker.

Robert B. Reams Jr., started his research career for the federal government in 1952. Sixty-seven years later, he will retire after a distinguished career with the U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory. Listen to the conversation as Director Dr. Phil Perconti has “Bob” tell his story and why his work was important for American Soldiers.

A pioneering Army researcher has earned the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Listen to U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti interview Dr. Nathan Lazarus.   Read more: Pioneering Army researcher earns Presidential Early Career award: https://www.army.mil/article/224221/ Recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-announces-recipients-presidential-early-career-award-scientists-engineers/

Army researchers are looking at augmented reality from a psychological perspective. Listen to the conversation with U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti and research psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cowley.

When you touch an electronic device, you notice how much heat it gives off. In the military, keeping electrical components cool and functioning optimally is a goal for researchers. U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti talks with thermal/packaging engineer Dr. Lauren Boteler about "keeping it cool!"

Imagine a squad of future Soldiers on a long range patrol far from base with dead batteries and a desperate need to fire up their radio. One of the Soldiers reaches for a metal tablet and drops it into a container and adds water. Immediately the tablet starts to dissolve and hydrogen is released into a fuel cell. And just like that, the radio has power. This is not science fiction. This is something scientists at the U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory have figured out how to do. It’s a disruptive discovery that could change everything! Listen in on a conversion with Dr. Kris Darling and Dr. Anit Giri, both materials scientists at the lab's Weapons and Materials Research Directorate at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Imagine having a complete understanding of what's inside a building without having to step inside. That's the kind of thing that scientists and engineers at the U.S. Army CCDC Research Laboratory are working on using research into low-frequency imaging sensors and supercomputers. Listen to the conversation between lab director Dr. Phil Perconti and computer scientist Ross Adelman about the future of supercomputing and sensors!

Army researchers are exploring the development of versatile fuels for the future. U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Philip Perconti talks with mechanical engineer Dr. Constandinos Mitsingas. Will we someday have transportation that runs off anything -- like Mr. Fusion from Back to the Future?

In the future, Soldiers and autonomous vehicles will use tricorder-like sensors to measure electromagnetic fields. That might be valuable information for navigation in a GPS-denied environment. That's the kind of cutting edge research the Army is pursuing. U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Philip Perconti talks with research physicist Dr. Kevin Claytor about this intriguing potential technology!

Robotics has the potential to move Soldiers out of harm's way. How will the future Army use robots to accomplish complex missions and ensure dominant strategic land power? CCDC Army Research Laboratory Director Dr. Phil Perconti talks with roboticist Phil Osteen about the current state of research.

Will futuristic materials self-heal using synthetic biology? The American Army of the future will leverage science and technology advances to make its Soldiers stronger and safer. At the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, ARL Director Dr. Phil Perconti discusses the challenges and applications of Army research into synthetic biology with ARL research chemist Dr. Meagan Small.

The U.S. Army is developing a new wind-tunnel testbed that will help future tiltrotor aircraft attain higher speeds, improved stability and enhanced safety. We talk to the researchers on the project and learn about how the Army hopes to attain its goals!

A team from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory, the Illinois Institute of Technology and Argonne National Laboratory released a Traumatic brain injury study. ARL's Joyce Conant talks with TBI researcher Ashley Eidsmore. Read more!

Soldiers needing replacement parts may turn to 3-D printers in the future to rapidly deliver reliable and ultra-strong metal parts. Army researchers are looking at new technologies to create steel alloy parts from powder using a laser. At the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Army Research Laboratory, materials manufacturing scientists say this technology may change everything. Read more... https://www.army.mil/article/217861

NASA officials say that some rare and distinct meteorites found on Earth were actually blasted off Mars by a large impact event. One such rock from the red planet made its way to an Army laboratory recently for a special X-ray look inside. Researchers from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory have powerful tools to look deep inside metal and rock using X-ray scanning technology.