The Future is Already Here

William Gibson's observation that "the future has arrived, it's just not evenly distributed yet" aptly describes many of the groundbreaking technologies that are just now becoming a reality at Lincoln Laboratory. For example, Laboratory researchers developed the Localizing Ground-Penetrating Radar that enables an autonomous ground vehicle to consistently localize itself and stay in its lane, even during snow storms.

Photo of a wafer that has phase change pixels

Researchers discover a new way to control infrared light

Jan 22

Photo of a section of the radiator layer of the antenna

Novel lightweight antenna arrays can reduce satellite launch costs

Jan 14

Two men standing in a laboratory with a laser transmitter setup

A laser can deliver messages directly to your ear from across the room

Nov 4

More News

This is an image of adiamond seed crystal that glows orange.

quantum systems and science

Diamond Magnetometer

Engineered diamonds show promising capability for use in quantum sensing of magnetic fields.

Rice cooker with attached infrared sensor.

energy

Smart Photovoltaic Microgrids for Cooking in Disadvantaged Communities

By connecting a PV microgrid powered by solar panels to homes, engineers could provide people who live in regions of power-insecurity with the energy to cook their meals. Unused power could be applied to phone-charging stations.

The Laboratory's novel optical communication system was integrated on a robotic undersea vehicle.

optical systems

Undersea Optical Communications

A system that enables robust, long-distance communications between underwater vehicles exploits laser technology.

For installation aboard a launch vehicle, a space telescope using technology developed for DISCIT will fold up into the compact shape seen at the left, but will expand its segmented sparse subapertures, right, once deployed.

integrated systems

Deployable In-Space Coherent Imaging Telescope

Technologies enabling the deployment of an expandable telescope from a small spacecraft could pave the way for the development of other payloads for small satellites.

CASCADE software uses complex systems modeling and simulation to explore thousands of adversarial action-reaction logic branches and predict probable outcomes. The software generates cyber solutions optimized for security, cost, and mission performance.

cyber security

Cyber Adversarial Scenario Modeler and Artificial Intelligence Decision Engine (CASCADE)

CASCADE software simulates cyber attacker and defender actions and recommends multiple courses of action to make systems and networks more secure.

New Technology Initiatives

The New Technology Initiatives (NTI) Board is made up of the Technology Office leadership and Laboratory staff from all research areas. The board oversees the funding of advanced technology development. The NTI funds applied research that combines mature components and ideas in novel ways to solve a specific problem. Demonstrations of the promising concepts and systems allow researchers to assess and answer sponsors' concerns that development of the new technologies is a high risk venture.

The NTI supports research in diverse areas.

Researchers in biomedical systems developed EnteroPhone™, a wireless, ingestible device that monitors a person's vital signs from within the gastrointestinal tract. A multidisciplinary team created the Laser Aircraft Strike Suppression Optical System (LASSOS) that locates the source of laser beams aimed at aircraft and relays that information to law enforcement.