The Lab

An interdisciplinary APL team created ATLAS, an artificial intelligence co-investigator that automates testing, learning, and synthesis for microcapsules, which has decreased human labor required per experiment by more than 80% and advances APL progress in microcapsule development and automated experimentation. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/fe4

Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL, inspired by biomolecules found in cold-tolerant organisms, are developing novel materials that can control ice formation. Their breakthroughs could lead to new technologies for the U.S. military, from advanced materials for construction to medical treatments that can prevent frostbite and preserve sensitive biological samples. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/5f6

Johns Hopkins APL and GKN Aerospace are partnering to develop a system that simulates shipboard motion for metal 3D printing at sea — advancing the Navy’s ability to produce critical parts on demand. Building on APL’s success aboard the USS Bataan, this effort aims to enable motion-aware manufacturing of mission-essential components in dynamic maritime environments. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/a4c

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and APL have successfully demonstrated a new, lower-cost approach to national missile defense testing validating that commercially operated rockets can support rapid, affordable flight tests for missile defense programs. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/af8

Sarah Adams, program manager for Alternative Computing Paradigms, was honored by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) for her contributions to advancing science and technology research in support of national security. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/cc6

APL Director Emeritus Ralph Semmel has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in generating innovative and disruptive engineering advancements in defense, national security, and space exploration. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/tj8

An APL research team help set new standards that could help drones more safely share America’s skies. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/a0d

Mitch Nikolich and James Gosler, national security experts from APL, have been named to the Department of War’s first Science, Technology and Innovation Board. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/e88

Stephanie Caporaletti, assistant branch supervisor in the Asymmetric Operations Sector at APL, has been appointed as chair of the Engineering Management program in the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering’s Engineering for Professionals program. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/992

When NASA’s Dragonfly begins full rotorcraft integration and testing in early 2026, the mission team will tap into a trove of data gathered through critical technical trials conducted over the past three years. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/a66

With support from APL, former staff members John Sittmann and Tom Curtis have launched Deep Root Biolabs, a startup advancing a patent-pending biological platform. By applying plant- and microbial-based systems, the company aims to tackle real-world challenges in agriculture, environmental remediation, and the bio-mining of critical minerals. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/36d

Brian Geesaman will lead a diverse portfolio of programs and initiatives focused on integrated strike warfare capabilities, kinetic and non-kinetic weapon systems, and end-to-end capability development. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/ee6

APL has been awarded one of three new NASA science investigations designed to strengthen humanity’s understanding and exploration of the Moon. The research payloads will be integrated into the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative and Artemis campaign, with delivery to the lunar surface planned for 2028. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/a4f

Leonard Moss Jr. has been appointed to the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee (NISPPAC), the nation’s primary forum for evaluating and recommending changes to the policies that guide the National Industrial Security Program. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/a8a

The Next Generation Jammer features high-power amplifier technology and an extended range. APL provided technical insight and worked with government and industry partners to mature critical technologies for a more advanced jammer. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/648

Learning from an anomaly during the first BOLT-1A flight, the successful BOLT-1B follow-on flight experiment collected hundreds of critical measurements, providing data to advance understanding of complex physics important to hypersonic flight.

Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/2c9

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) has reached its destination of the first Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L1), where it will start its prime mission of studying the heliosphere and space weather.

Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/35e

NASA and APL have successfully tested a wideband technology that enabled, for the first time, a spacecraft to communicate with both government and commercial networks. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/61e

APL has named Yu-Han “Hugh” Chen as head of the National Security Analysis Department (NSAD). Chen, who previously served as the department’s chief analyst, will lead APL’s work providing integrated technical and operational analysis to inform national security decisions. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/966