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 targeted effort to transfer NRL-developed rising applied sciences past the laboratory and into the palms of business companions who may also help 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 high-impact expertise areas, together with ultra-low energy magnetic area sensors, high-temperature pressure measurement, programmable robotics, superior airborne hazard modeling, house climate devices and next-generation supplies options. The purpose was easy: join business with applied sciences prepared for transition and transfer them from the laboratory to the warfighter quicker.
“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 power lies in discovery, whereas business gives the pace, scale and manufacturing experience wanted to transition analysis into operational functionality. He famous that greater than 1,100 licenses are at the moment out there by means of NRL’s expertise portfolio for potential use by business 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 latest 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 carry superior infrared supplies to market whereas decreasing reliance on constrained provide chains.
The occasion additionally supplied business attendees with direct entry to NRL’s Technology Transfer Office, Small Business Office and contracting specialists, serving to individuals higher perceive pathways for collaboration by means of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, licensing, Broad Agency Announcements and small enterprise alternatives.
Andrew Chappell, NRL’s small enterprise consultant, emphasised the important position 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 supplied beneficial 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 give attention to 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 corporations are unaware of how accessible government-developed expertise will 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 classes, lab excursions and technical discussions, individuals 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 business 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 progressive advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to house and within the info area. NRL is situated in Washington, D.C. with main area websites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California.
NRL provides a number of mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific neighborhood, inside and exterior of the Federal authorities. These embody Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements below the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and different relevant agreements.
For extra info, contact NRL Corporate Communications at [email protected].