Materials & Manufacturing

Materials define what’s possible—they’re fundamental in the superior performance of our technology and weapons systems. We invent, design and ensure manufacturability and sustainability of the world’s most advanced materials.
COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS, COMPUTER, CYBER
The Air Force played a vital role in the computer revolution. AFRL’s research continues to benefit from those pioneering developments in the ever-expanding, ever-changing world of digital calculation.
Success Stories
BIOCEMENT FOR AGILE INFRASTRUCTURE
Naturally occurring bacteria convert urea and calcium chloride into “biocement” that can be used to stabilize soil “Biocement”...
ADAPTIVE RADOME DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (ARDS)
WHAT IS IT? The ARDS Program is a fully autonomous mobile collaborative robotic system that maps the local electromagnetic...
STRUCTURED OPTICAL MATERIALS AND PROCESSING RESEARCH TEAM
The Structured Optical Materials Research Team uses recent developments in structured optics, machine learning, deposition,...
AIRCRAFT DECONTAMINATION
What is AFRL doing to protect Airmen from COVID-19? To ensure the health and safety of Airmen amid the pandemic, a team from...
DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT TITLE III
ADVANCING THE INDUSTRIAL BASE TO DEFEND THE NATION What is DPA Title III? DPA Title III is a unique Presidential authority...
CORROSION EVALUATION SYSTEM: CorRES
Aircraft coatings are the first lines of defense when it comes to mitigating structural corrosion of an air platform. As new...
POLYMER ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
We’re “turning up the heat” in the field of polymer additive manufacturing. Our team successfully printed the...
FLEXIBLE HYBRID ELECTRONICS
Our researchers are working on the next-generation of wearable sensors for human performance monitoring. Commercial products,...
Related Topics
AFRL recognizes 2024 Fellows and Early Career honorees
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, recognized 17 of its scientists and engineers for the 2024 AFRL Fellows and Science and Engineering Early Career Awards, or ECA, program at an award ceremony held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 24, 2024.
AFRL, The Ohio State University, NASA test viability of laser welding in space
SANTA MARIA, CA (AFRL) – The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, recently participated in a parabolic flight experiment led by a team of scientists and engineers from The Ohio State University. The NASA-funded endeavor was conducted at the Central Coast Jet Center...