The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) welcomed trade leaders, small companies and know-how companions to its 2026 Innovation Day for Industry, April 28. The occasion introduced collectively authorities researchers and non-public-sector innovators to discover collaboration alternatives and speed up the transition of slicing-edge applied sciences to the fleet.
Peter Matic, Ph.D., NRL’s affiliate director of analysis of the Materials Science and Component Technology Directorate, has led Innovation Day for Industry since its inception, driving a centered effort to transfer NRL-developed rising applied sciences past the laboratory and into the fingers of trade companions who can assist transition them to manufacturing and operational use.
“Events like these are more than just building bridges with industry, they’re opportunities to show our researchers that we believe in them and their efforts to solve hard problems that are foundational for warfighting technologies,” Matic said. “We want to help them make these connections now and for the future.”
Hosted at NRL’s Washington, D.C., campus, the occasion showcased seven excessive-affect know-how areas, together with extremely-low energy magnetic discipline sensors, excessive-temperature pressure measurement, programmable robotics, superior airborne hazard modeling, area climate devices and subsequent-technology supplies options. The purpose was easy: join trade with applied sciences prepared for transition and transfer them from the laboratory to the warfighter sooner.
“Our mission is not just to invent technology, it’s to make sure it gets into the hands of the warfighter,” mentioned Capt. Randy Cruz, NRL commanding officer throughout his opening remarks. “We develop and discover incredible capabilities here, but we rely on industry partners to help scale them, build them and deliver them where they matter most. That is where our partners become part of the NRL ecosystem.”
Cruz emphasised that NRL’s energy lies in discovery, whereas trade gives the velocity, scale and manufacturing experience wanted to transition analysis into operational functionality. He famous that greater than 1,100 licenses are presently accessible via NRL’s know-how portfolio for potential use by trade companions.
Dr. Bruce Danly, NRL director of analysis, mentioned partnerships stay central to how the laboratory delivers functionality to the naval warfighter and the nation.
“We bring deep scientific expertise, and industry brings speed, scale and the ability to transition technology into real-world systems,” Danly mentioned. “Together, we accelerate outcomes.”
Danly highlighted current profitable collaborations, together with partnerships with NCP Coatings and Sherwin-Williams to transition non-skid coatings onto Navy platforms. He talked about the growth of CT-Analyst hazard modeling instruments and work with LightPath Technologies to convey superior infrared supplies to market whereas lowering reliance on constrained provide chains.
The occasion additionally offered trade attendees with direct entry to NRL’s Technology Transfer Office, Small Business Office and contracting specialists, serving to members higher perceive pathways for collaboration via Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, licensing, Broad Agency Announcements and small enterprise alternatives.
Andrew Chappell, NRL’s small enterprise consultant, emphasised the important function small companies play in nationwide protection innovation.
“Small businesses are agile, innovative and often possess specialized expertise that is unmatched,” Chappell mentioned. “For fiscal year 2025, more than 52 percent of NRL and ONR contract dollars were awarded to small businesses. We want to continue creating pathways for those businesses to help turn innovative ideas into tangible solutions for the Navy and Marine Corps.”
Industry attendees mentioned the occasion provided invaluable face-to-face engagement and a clearer understanding of how to work with the laboratory.
Vincent Farley of Telops/Exosens, an organization specializing in infrared cameras and experimental mechanics, mentioned the occasion aligned carefully together with his firm’s concentrate on innovation.
“We consider NRL to be state-of-the-art research, and we thought it would be an excellent way to align our philosophies and bring new innovation to the markets we serve,” Farley mentioned. “Doing this in person really helps strengthen the connection between research and industry.”
Tim Scott of Avient Industries mentioned many firms are unaware of how accessible authorities-developed know-how might be.
“There is so much technology already available that industry could leverage at relatively low cost,” Scott mentioned. “I think many companies assume it is too difficult or too expensive to work with government labs, but events like this show there are real opportunities to collaborate and transfer technology.”
Through breakout periods, lab excursions and technical discussions, members explored alternatives for collaboration in superior ceramics, robotics, sensing applied sciences and extra.
“This is not just a showcase, it is a starting point,” Danly mentioned. “It is a chance to exchange ideas, identify opportunities and begin collaborations that move technology forward.”
Innovation Day for Industry displays NRL’s continued dedication to strengthening partnerships throughout authorities, academia and trade to guarantee breakthrough science turns into operational functionality for the Navy and Marine Corps.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command devoted to analysis that drives revolutionary advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to area and within the data area. NRL is situated in Washington, D.C. with main discipline websites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California.
NRL provides a number of mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific group, inside and outdoors of the Federal authorities. These embody Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements beneath the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and different relevant agreements.
For extra data, contact NRL Corporate Communications at mailto:[email protected].