![A piece of hardware showing a copper mount with integrated circuit components bonded to it](/sites/default/files/styles/news_3_up/public/news/image/2023-09/527748%20-13.jpg?itok=UF4t7Ffk)
![A research collaboration with MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory is developing new processor designs, safe programming languages, and operating systems that address cyber vulnerabilities.](/sites/default/files/styles/ifde_hero/public/rdarea/image/2018-04/Circuit1_001.png?h=85e480c5&itok=nRctf6C7)
Emerging Technology
The Technology Office promotes research and development of new technologies and engineering solutions of growing relevance to national security. Staff are working at the frontiers of technology to transfer the latest advances to the Laboratory’s mission areas. Some investments, such as quantum information systems, may take years to come to fruition. In areas of increasing importance to the nation, such as energy and autonomy, the Laboratory is taking a lead role. We are supporting R&D in the following areas:
- Advanced devices
- Advanced materials and processes
- Autonomous systems
- Biomedical science and technology
- Energy
- Engineering
- Homeland protection, air traffic control, and humanitarian assistance & disaster relief
- Quantum systems and science
Featured News
![A man stands in a sunflower field, inspecting the crop](/sites/default/files/styles/news_3_up/public/news/image/2023-05/Sunflowers_CREWSnet_2023.jpg?h=c32fe08a&itok=EC8aDtWb)
In the Media
May 8
MIT News
Featured Projects
![a researcher looks through a small window on a large metal multichambered molecular beam epitaxy tool.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2022-12/522734-001D.jpg?h=41f55a5b&itok=CoTil7hf)
advanced materials
Materials by Design
A new approach to materials discovery aims to expedite the process of deploying new materials for specific mission needs.
![This image shows Mexico Beach, FL, after it sustained damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. It was taken through NOAA’s Emergency Remote Sensing program. Satellites could provide similar information after more incidents. (Image courtesy of NOAA.)](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2022-09/DisasterSat%20image.jpg?itok=UtmWqQuK)
disaster relief
DisasterSat
Dedicated satellite imaging could help coordinate emergency response to disasters.
![A photo of unmanned surface vehicles on the Charles River.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2022-02/Robots_Closeup_2_0.jpg?itok=Zws-ky9x)
autonomous systems
Coordinating Teams of Autonomous Systems
We developed new distributed coordination algorithms for deploying multiple autonomous systems from a single set of operator commands.
![A graph with the words HAPI Human AI-performance against a blue background. Surrounding the words are images of technologies, including a wristband, a laptop, a sensored helmet, VR glasses, and gloves.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2021-11/HAPI%20image%20-%201600x900%20px-01.png?itok=859bBbLc)
artificial intelligence
Human-AI Performance Incubator
A new collaboration space is empowering researchers to drive innovations in human-AI teaming.
![A group of five researchers pose in a field with two UAVs.](/sites/default/files/styles/list/public/project/image/2021-11/CHASER-1.png?itok=U-PzuHFZ)
autonomous systems
Collaborative-UAS for Hostile Attribution, Surveillance, Emplacement, and Reconnaissance
We are building a toolbox of autonomous functions for unmanned aerial systems to improve UAS missions and alleviate burden on human operators in the field.
Publications
Multilayer microhydraulic actuators with speed and force configurations
Mar 11
Microsyst. Nanoeng., Vol. 7, Art. No. 22, 2021.
Operation of an optical atomic clock with a Brillouin laser subsystem
Dec 9
Nature, Vol. 588, No. 7837, 2020, pp. 244-9.