Our team develops novel capabilities and solves critical challenges in a wide range of scientific fields, including electronics and photonics, sensors and imaging, signature and survivability, power and energy, and devices and integrated systems.
Electronics, Photonics, Sensors, and Imaging
Manipulating and leveraging the electromagnetic spectrum to enable unique capabilities in communications and sensing
We design, model, and fabricate novel electromagnetic, phase change, and quantum materials and devices used for next-generation communications and sensing applications. We combine fundamental physics with advanced material synthesis and micro- and nanofabrication techniques to develop revolutionary solutions with improved cost, size, weight, and power characteristics for radio frequency/micro/millimeter-wave electronics, antennas, radar systems, electro-optical/infrared sensors, optical communications, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces.
Signature and Survivability
Developing advanced materials, devices, and modeling techniques
We leverage our advanced materials and device solutions with modeling and simulation tools to better predict, characterize, and optimize signatures for sponsor-defined applications. We also create novel material coatings and electromagnetic structures to counter directed energy weapons and for protection against electronic warfare systems.
Power and Energy
Harvesting and storing energy for advanced expeditionary and resilient power solutions
We apply our materials, chemistry, and device fabrication expertise to synthesize and formulate novel battery electrodes and electrolytes and develop safe and robust energy storage devices for harsh environments. We employ our unique thin-film thermoelectric material and device capabilities to provide innovative solutions and enable game-changing advances in thermal management and thermal energy harvesting. We also develop and characterize new fuel-cell catalysts and advanced additive manufacturing techniques for power electronics.
Devices and Integrated Systems
Designing and prototyping unique hardware solutions for critical warfighter and military systems challenges
We pursue innovations in custom design, fabrication, and integration to realize innovative devices and systems with unprecedented form factors and performance benefits. We develop new fabrication processes for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fuzes, printed wiring circuits, and textile systems. We design and build portable power solutions that utilize field-available energy sources, such as the Operational Lightweight Intelligent Thermo Electric (OLITE) power source. We integrate flexible batteries with electronics and sensors to enable low-profile wearable systems for health and human performance.
APL researchers earned two first-place awards and one second-place award in an additive manufacturing modeling challenge led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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Press Release
Johns Hopkins APL Research Team Tackles Electrode in Quest for Safer Batteries
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A team of APL researchers has developed a scalable process for producing a safe, high-energy-density battery anode — another landmark achievement in the Laboratory’s quest to create effective, durable lithium-ion batteries.
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Press Release
Johns Hopkins APL Researchers Win 2019 R&D 100 Award for Breakthrough Lithium-Ion Battery Technology
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APL’s breakthrough lithium-ion battery technology has been recognized with a 2019 R&D 100 Award, celebrating industry-changing products and technologies.
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Press Release
Johns Hopkins APL’s Breakthrough Flexible, Cuttable Lithium-Ion Battery Now Won’t Catch Fire
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The flexible lithium-ion battery that can operate under extreme conditions — including cutting, submersion and simulated ballistic impact — now adds incombustible to its resume.
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Press Release
Breakthrough Cuttable, Flexible, Submersible and Ballistic-Tested Lithium-ion Battery Offers New Paradigm of Safety and Performance
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A team of scientists at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, has partnered with researchers from the University of Maryland (UMD) and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to develop a new type of flexible lithium-ion battery that can operate under extreme conditions, including cutting, submersion and ballistic impact. The team recently published their discovery in the journal Advanced Materials.
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Press Release
JHU Partners With Morgan State On Center To Develop Ultrathin 2d Materials
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Using a five-year, $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense, Johns Hopkins and Morgan State University are creating the Center for Advanced Electro-Photonics with 2D Materials, a first-of-its-kind initiative with a dual mission: to develop two-dimensional materials for use by DoD, and to expand and diversify the technology and defense-sector talent pipelines by training students from underrepresented minority groups.
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