AIM Photonics Showcases Importance of Integrated Photonics Innovation at Pentagon Technology Week
AIM Photonics joined leaders from across the Department of War Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program at the Pentagon recently to commemorate ManTech’s 70th anniversary and recognize the significant role of the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes in advancing technology development and U.S. manufacturing capabilities. The weeklong Pentagon celebration marked an unprecedented 70 years of ManTech investment in the manufacturing capabilities needed to move emerging technologies toward deployment.
Established in 1956, DoW ManTech has addressed manufacturing challenges that are too costly or risky for industry to tackle alone. Working across the military R&D enterprise with industry and academia, ManTech has been a continuous strategic endeavor strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base.
Events held during ManTech’s Technology Exhibition Week reflected that 70-year history while focusing on the work continuing across the enterprise today. Through leadership briefings, recognition of contributions to advanced manufacturing and demonstrations of technologies for real-world applications, the week reinforced a principle that has long guided the program: If we don’t make it, the warfighter can’t have it, underscoring ManTech’s focus on ensuring that promising technologies are supported by the manufacturing capabilities needed to move them into production.
The week began with remarks from the Honorable Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and Department of War Chief Technology Officer, who reaffirmed the value of the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) and their role in moving defense-ready technologies forward by addressing manufacturing challenges at speed and scale.
A Technology Demo Day held at the Pentagon during the week highlighted the distinct contributions of each of the nine MIIs to advanced manufacturing, with 16 exhibitors showcasing more than 70 technologies alongside military primes and subcontractors.
AIM Photonics’ exhibit featured several technologies representing a broad range of applications for integrated photonics, developed using the Institute’s capabilities and fabricated at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex, including:
Real-time bioprocess monitoring from Phlotonics uses silicon photonic sensor arrays fabricated by AIM Photonics to monitor biological processes. The technology supports applications including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, cell therapy and medical countermeasure production and is designed to enable continuous monitoring and closed-loop biological control.
Integrated photonics-based augmented-reality displays from MIT’s Photonics and Electronics Research Group feature a discreet, transparent chip positioned in front of the eye that projects visible-light 3D holograms onto the retina. This technology is being developed to overcome the size, weight and vergence accommodation conflict inherent in conventional head-mounted displays, with potential applications in defense, medicine, engineering and other fields.
The SiPhox One blood-testing platform from SiPhox Health brings laboratory-quality blood testing closer to the point of care through silicon photonic biosensor chips developed using AIM Photonics technologies. The miniature platform measures biomarker concentrations on the spot, eliminating the need to ship samples to a central laboratory.
A photonic integrated circuit-based optical beamformer from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory forms multiple beams that can support applications such as communications and radar. The use of AIM’s photonic integrated circuits has enabled NRL researchers to maintain their required RF performance while significantly reducing the size, weight and power of beamforming systems compared with electronic or discrete-component optical approaches.
“The demonstrations show what the MII model makes possible,” said Keith DeVries, Director, Office of the Secretary of War Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program. “By providing access to advanced infrastructure, technologies and manufacturing capabilities, the MIIs help turn promising ideas into manufacturable solutions while building the domestic capability needed to support national defense and U.S. technological competitiveness.”
As a DoW Manufacturing Innovation Institute, AIM Photonics carries that work forward in integrated photonics, helping build the domestic manufacturing capabilities needed to move emerging technologies toward production.