Next-Generation Materials
Developing materials to redefine what’s possible
APL is dedicated to advancing next-generation materials for critical national security applications, such as hypersonic flight, space-based missions, and naval ship construction. We discover and develop innovative and mission-specific materials, thoroughly characterizing their properties and creating advanced screening capabilities to understand how they perform in extreme environments.
Contributing Mission Areas
Featured Work
Accelerating Materials Innovation for Defense
Developing a novel materials science paradigm—and strategically applying artificial intelligence and robotics—to dramatically accelerate the process of designing, testing, and optimizing metal components for the defense industrial base
Advanced Thermoelectric Materials for Next-Gen Refrigeration
Researchers at APL have developed nano-engineered thin-film thermoelectric devices that are two times as efficient as currently used bulk devices in refrigeration. This advancement paves the way for compact, scalable, and compressor-free cooling.
Advancing Materials for Thermal Management
Researchers at APL have made a significant breakthrough in the development of advanced materials technology that can efficiently manage thermal conditions, particularly in buildings and data centers.
Creating Coatings for Extreme Environments
The leading edges of hypersonics vehicles—as well as fins, control surfaces, and apertures—need to be protected against speeds exceeding Mach 5, temperatures well above 1,000 degrees Celsius, oxidation from the atmosphere, and tremendous aerodynamic shear loads. Custom materials can enable mission success in these extreme environments.
Developing Battery- and Solar-Powered Fibers
APL researchers have established new, scalable methods of developing battery- and solar-powered fibers, making it theoretically possible for electrical energy to be harvested from, and stored in, the clothing people wear.
Eliminating Forever Chemicals
Multiple studies have linked PFAS exposure to harmful health effects in humans and animals, and without a natural way to break them down, the chemicals persist in soil and contaminate the environment — including water. APL scientists are developing several technologies to capture and destroy these “forever chemicals.”
Enhancing Naval Readiness with Onboard 3D Printing Solutions
APL and the U.S. Navy have collaborated to implement onboard 3D printing systems, enabling ships to produce essential parts at sea, thereby enhancing operational readiness and reducing maintenance delays.
Reversing the Loss of Coral Reefs
Recognizing the need to safeguard America’s coastlines and the value natural structures play in their protection, APL researchers are finding ways to use materials science to support coral reef growth and restoration.
Revolutionizing Materials Discovery for National Security
APL is reimagining and accelerating the targeted discovery of materials tailored to withstand and perform in the most demanding conditions, ensuring enhanced capabilities in extreme environments.
Shape-Shifting Antenna for Adaptive Communications
By leveraging cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and shape memory alloys, APL researchers have created an antenna that can change its shape based on its temperature.
Featured Program
Science of Extreme and Multifunctional Materials
Our team utilizes advanced chemistry, materials science, and computational tools across a variety of areas, inventing the future of research in extreme materials, materials characterization, materials design, synthesis and manufacturing, and multifunctional materials.
Featured Publications
Journals and Conference Proceedings
Research from APL experts is published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and in conference proceedings.
Explore recent publications from materials researchers at APL.
Related News
News
Sep 17, 2025
An Accelerated Paradigm for Developing Mission-Critical Materials
Scientists and engineers at Johns Hopkins APL are applying artificial intelligence and robotics to dramatically accelerate the process of designing, testing and optimizing metallic components for the defense industrial base.
Press Release
Aug 21, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL’s Next-Generation Solid-State Refrigeration Technology Wins 2025 R&D 100 Award
APL researchers won a 2025 R&D 100 award for their nano-engineered materials called CHESS that significantly improve the efficiency of thermoelectric cooling devices. Their breakthrough nearly doubles the performance of traditional materials at room temperature, opening the way to much better cooling systems and energy-saving technologies.
News
Jun 17, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL, Navy Team up to Advance Additive Manufacturing for Critical Missions
APL is working with the Naval Sea Systems Command to prove that additive manufacturing can consistently deliver mission-critical components, reducing logistics delays and enhancing fleet readiness.
News
May 28, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL Celebrates Master Inventors as Beacons of Innovation
Kostas Gerasopoulos and Robert Osiander are APL’s newest Master Inventors — a select group of Laboratory staff members celebrated for careers focused on innovation and securing patents based on APL intellectual property.
News
May 21, 2025
Nano-engineered Thermoelectrics Enable Scalable, Compressor-Free Cooling
Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL, in collaboration with Samsung Research, have unveiled a breakthrough in solid-state cooling technology, doubling the efficiency of today’s commercial systems. Driven by the Lab’s patented nano-engineered thin-film thermoelectric materials and devices, this innovation paves the way for compact, reliable and scalable cooling solutions that could potentially replace traditional compressors across a range of industries.