Defense Research Yielding Spin-Offs

Faster video downloads, custom data mining and rapid tooling are some of the new technologies being commercialized from defense work.

By Richard Sammon, Senior Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter

February 7, 2008

Defense labs are producing a bounty of commercial spin-off technology. Here's a peek at some new innovations under development jointly by labs and private firms -- initially with defense applications in mind, but all with potentially broad uses by companies.

Custom data searches. AIOXFinder is a sophisticated search tool that creates a personal profile taking into account interests, expertise, professional needs, etc., and uses it to tailor text mining searches to eliminate undesired results. The software is being developed for commercial use by Knowledge Based Systems in College Station, Texas.

Faster video downloads. Semiconducting optoelectronic technology is used to process and transfer vast amounts of data quickly, allowing digital video downloads to occur in seconds rather than minutes. The technology is in development at OptiComp in Zephyr Cove, Nev.

Stronger ball bearings. A new chemical process is used to coat ball bearings with titanium carbide, providing hardness, long life and better lubricating qualities. BryCoat in Oldsmar, Fla., is developing the new technique.

Rapid tooling. A water-soluble, ceramic-based slurry is the key behind a prototyping innovation used to quickly form large industrial parts made of composite materials and for a fraction of the cost of regular prototyping techniques. The new method is on the drawing board at 2Phase Technologies in Dayton, Nev.

Spotting gas leaks. Laser light technology is used to swiftly track down natural gas or chemical leaks. The technology will come from Maxion Technologies in College Park, Md.

Blocking radiation. Nanochemical compounds can be used with plastics to cheaply protect computer chips from X-rays. Another application is in cosmetics where the material may be added to facial creams and mascara to protect against ultraviolet radiation. The compounds are from Hybrid Plastics in Hattiesburg, Miss.

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