In an impressive display of innovation, MIT Lincoln Laboratory celebrates the recognition of fifteen remarkable technologies as recipients of the prestigious 2024 R&D 100 Awards. These accolades are presented by R&D World, an esteemed online publication aimed at research scientists and engineers around the globe. Often referred to as the “Oscars of Innovation,” the R&D 100 Awards highlight the 100 most groundbreaking technologies introduced to the market or transitioned into operational use over the past year, selected by an independent panel of expert judges.
“The R&D 100 Awards underscore the laboratory’s exceptional technical prowess and its vital role in advancing technology for tangible impact,” shares Melissa Choi, director of Lincoln Laboratory. “We are thrilled to see so many projects honored this year, and we take immense pride in the creativity, curiosity, and technical excellence of our team, which has made these innovations possible.”
The awarded technologies span a diverse array of applications. Some aim to safeguard human well-being, such as systems designed to monitor heat stroke and cognitive injuries. Others unveil novel methods for 3D printing glass, producing silicon imaging sensors, and interconnecting integrated circuits. Additionally, several projects tackle long-standing challenges, including mapping the intricacies of the human brain and the unexplored ocean floor. Collectively, these winners showcase the exceptional creativity and range of innovations generated by Lincoln Laboratory. Since 2010, the lab has achieved a remarkable total of 101 R&D 100 Awards.
Here are details of this year’s award-winning technologies:
Advancing Human Health and Safety
The Neuron Tracing and Active Learning Environment (NeuroTrALE) software employs artificial intelligence to create detailed maps, or atlases, of the brain’s neuron network using high-dimensional biomedical data. NeuroTrALE addresses a significant challenge in AI-assisted brain mapping— the scarcity of labeled data needed for training AI systems to generate atlases essential for researching the brain’s neural structures. This pioneering software provides an end-to-end system that processes and annotates dense microscopy data, generates neuron segmentations, and allows experts to conveniently review its annotations through a web interface. This innovation is a collaborative endeavor with Kwanghun (KC) Chung’s lab from MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, and Picower Institute for Learning and Memory.
Another vital innovation, the Electrooculography and Balance Blast Overpressure Monitoring (EYEBOOM), is a wearable technology designed to monitor exposure to low-level blasts, commonly faced by military and law enforcement personnel in training exercises. While these blasts may not cause immediate injury, prolonged exposure can lead to anxiety, depression, or cognitive issues. EYEBOOM consists of two sensors, one tracking eye and body movements and the other measuring blast energy. A sophisticated algorithm analyzes these data to detect subtle physiological changes that could predict cognitive injury, proving essential for select U.S. Special Forces units. This innovative system was co-developed with Creare LLC and Lifelens LLC.
The creation of Tunable Knitted Stem Cell Scaffolds has opened new avenues in regenerative medicine. This technology, developed by the Lincoln Laboratory team and MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, produces biocompatible fabrics that imitate the natural properties of living tissues, promoting the growth of stem cells. These wearable scaffolds can enhance the regeneration of skin, muscle, and other soft tissues, significantly reducing recovery time and complications from severe injuries.
Another breakthrough in the field of forensic science comes from the Mixture Deconvolution Pipeline for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy. Investigators often rely on commercial DNA databases during investigations, yet they face challenges when assisting mixed DNA profiles from multiple unknown contributors. This software efficiently estimates the number of contributors, their proportions, and sexes, while enabling the isolation of distinct DNA profiles without requiring reference profiles from known contributors, therefore enhancing investigative capabilities.
Heat-related injuries remain a significant concern, particularly for those in high-risk professions. The Heat Injury Prevention System (HIPS) offers timely warnings for potential heat stroke, providing crucial data collected from a sensor worn on a chest strap. With advanced algorithms gauging body temperature, gait instability, and physiological strain, HIPS enables early predictions of heat-related risks, thus ensuring safety in operational military environments.
Exploring Our World
With over 80 percent of the ocean floor still uncharted, traditional mapping techniques have either delivered poor-resolution maps or required costly underwater vehicles. Enter the new Autonomous Sparse-Aperture Multibeam Echo Sounder technology, which employs approximately 20 autonomous surface vehicles to function as a cohesive sonar array. This system achieves unparalleled mapping resolution—100 times better than conventional sonar systems and 50 times faster than underwater vehicles, significantly enhancing capabilities for humanitarian search-and-rescue efforts, along with ocean and climate modeling. This R&D 100 Award is shared with the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering.
FocusNet, a cutting-edge machine-learning framework, enhances the analysis of airborne ground-mapping lidar data by automatically identifying objects within digital 3D point clouds generated by laser scanning. With advancements in lidar technology, FocusNet ensures rapid and accurate object recognition across various lidar systems—eliminating the need for retraining—thus streamlining the understanding of complex 3D scenes.
In the realm of weather forecasting, atmospheric observations from aircraft provide valuable data. The Portable Aircraft Derived Weather Observation System (PADWOS) is designed to optimize the collection of these observations by utilizing already-equipped Mode S Enhanced Surveillance transponders found in over 95 percent of commercial aircraft. By enabling rapid data collection, PADWOS is expected to enhance weather predictions, climate monitoring, and various weather applications.
Pioneering in Computing and Communications
The potential of quantum networking could transform global connectivity. Lincoln Laboratory’s Precision Photon Synchronization System for Quantum Networking is the first to synchronize space-to-ground links with sub-picosecond precision. This innovative technology relies on ground-based entanglement sources, enabling efficient quantum entanglement distribution via satellites and paving the way for future advancements in quantum entanglement generation methods.
Advancements in circuits have led to the creation of a Superconductive Many-State Memory and Comparison Logic system. This groundbreaking technology stores and compares more than two discrete states using the quantized magnetic fields of superconducting materials, resulting in a new form of ternary logic that greatly enhances memory throughput and operational speed, making it a crucial component for next-generation digital logic systems.
The concept of the Megachip revolutionizes microelectronics by interconnecting numerous small, specialized chips, or chiplets, into a single-chip-like monolithic integrated circuit. Capable of containing billions of transistors, Megachips enable enhanced device performance and address the growing demand for high-performance computing in AI applications, mobile devices, and servers.
An In-Band Full-Duplex (IBDF) Wireless System with Advanced Interference Mitigation addresses the challenges posed by increasingly congested wireless networks. This innovative technology allows devices to transmit and receive data simultaneously on the same frequency while mitigating external interference, effectively doubling efficiency. This advancement could enable smart vehicles to connect and communicate seamlessly, paving the way for self-driving capabilities.
Innovative Fabrication Processes
Lincoln Laboratory has introduced a Nanocomposite Ink System for 3D Printing Functional Materials, allowing for the deposition of graded structures that transition smoothly between materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of lightweight and compact RF components while accommodating vast frequency ranges. The technology also facilitates the absorption of diverse radiation types, aiming for implementation in small satellite electronics.
The laboratory’s Engineered Substrates for Rapid Advanced Imaging Sensor Development significantly reduce the time and cost of silicon imaging sensor production. By integrating most back-illumination processes into the initial wafer, this technology allows for substantial savings while enhancing sensor performance. Such advancements are instrumental in developing imaging sensor concepts for future NASA missions, which would typically take years to materialize in traditional frameworks.
Additionally, Lincoln Laboratory’s Low-Temperature Additive Manufacturing of Glass Composites offers revolutionary approaches in 3D printing complex glass structures without the need for high-temperature processes. This technique simplifies glass production, enhancing applications in microfluidic systems and optical devices while facilitating broader adoption within the manufacturing sector.
The masterminds behind each R&D 100 Award-winning technology will be honored at a gala event held on November 21 in Palm Springs, California.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
