Critical & Emerging Technologies

In the race toward faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient technologies, lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) is experiencing a powerful resurgence. Once a niche material for optical applications, it is now positioned as a foundational building block for the next wave of photonic and electronic innovation. Renowned for its exceptional electro-optic, piezoelectric, and …

Free Space Optical (FSO) communication refers to a line-of-sight communication technology that transmits modulated light beams—typically infrared—through the atmosphere. FSO uses the air as its transmission medium, allowing for high-speed data transfer without the need for physical cabling or spectrum licenses. FSO systems consist of two main components: an optical …

The Stealth Threat in Our Harbors Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs)—ranging from low-cost reconnaissance drones to armed “kamikaze” systems—are fast becoming one of the most asymmetric threats to U.S. maritime infrastructure. Adversaries use these quiet, stealthy platforms to mine harbors, spy on naval bases, or sabotage undersea assets with near impunity. …

Photonics—the science and technology of light—is at the heart of a silent revolution reshaping 21st-century manufacturing. From defect detection on high-speed production lines to ultra-precise laser machining and autonomous factory operations, photonics is enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient processes across a wide range of industries. By harnessing and manipulating …

Modern warfare is no longer confined to tanks, missiles, and aircraft—it is increasingly fought in the invisible realm of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, victory is measured not in captured territory but in control over radio waves, data links, and sensor networks. As near-peer adversaries deploy sophisticated radars, encrypted communications, and …

How physicists extracted energy from empty space, teleported it across a quantum chip, and stored it—rewriting our quantum energy playbook. The Cosmic Cheat Code: Energy from “Nothing” In a landmark 2024 breakthrough, a team of physicists accomplished something long thought to defy conventional physics: they extracted usable energy from a …

The world is witnessing two technological revolutions unfold in parallel: quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Each is transformative on its own, but together, they promise breakthroughs that could redefine what’s possible in machine learning and data science. As Large Language Models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and Claude continue to push …

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) remain one of the deadliest complications in trauma care—particularly in combat environments where gunshot wounds, burns, and blast injuries create the ideal conditions for bacterial and fungal pathogens to thrive. Traditional treatments rely on pathogen identification and delayed antibiotic administration, a reactive model that often proves fatal …

Imagine a toddler gleefully stacking blocks while wearing a colorful helmet, completely unaware she’s offering scientists the clearest picture ever captured of her developing brain. This isn’t a scene from a sci-fi movie—it’s today’s reality, made possible by a seismic shift in neuroimaging powered by wearable technologies. The age of …