Next-Generation Materials
Developing materials to redefine what’s possible
APL is dedicated to advancing next-generation materials for critical national security applications, such as hypersonic flight, space-based missions, and naval ship construction. We discover and develop innovative and mission-specific materials, thoroughly characterizing their properties and creating advanced screening capabilities to understand how they perform in extreme environments.
Contributing Mission Areas
Featured Work
Advancing Materials for Thermal Management
More than half the energy consumed in the American residential industry is spent on heating and cooling homes. Researchers at APL have made a significant breakthrough in the development of advanced materials technology that can efficiently manage thermal conditions, particularly in buildings and data centers.
Developing Battery- and Solar-Powered Fibers
APL researchers have established new, scalable methods of developing battery- and solar-powered fibers, making it theoretically possible for electrical energy to be harvested from, and stored in, the clothing people wear.
Eliminating Forever Chemicals
Multiple studies have linked PFAS exposure to harmful health effects in humans and animals, and without a natural way to break them down, the chemicals persist in soil and contaminate the environment — including water. APL scientists are developing several technologies to capture and destroy these “forever chemicals.”
Revolutionizing Materials Discovery for National Security
APL is reimagining and accelerating the targeted discovery of materials tailored to withstand and perform in the most demanding conditions, ensuring enhanced capabilities in extreme environments.
Featured Program
Science of Extreme and Multifunctional Materials
Our team utilizes advanced chemistry, materials science, and computational tools across a variety of areas, inventing the future of research in extreme materials, materials characterization, materials design, synthesis and manufacturing, and multifunctional materials.
Featured Publications
Journals and Conference Proceedings
Research from APL experts is published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and in conference proceedings.
Explore recent publications from materials researchers at APL.
Related News
Press Release
Aug 15, 2024
Johns Hopkins APL and U.S. Coast Guard Expand National Defense, Maritime Security Partnership
APL and the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, Connecticut, have signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding to team up on addressing critical technology challenges in national defense and maritime security.
Press Release
Aug 7, 2024
Johns Hopkins APL Researchers Drive Innovation in 2024 JHU Discovery Awards
Seven projects funded by the 2024 JHU Discovery Awards program leverage the expertise of APL scientists and engineers, including four APL-led initiatives covering challenges in areas such as climate adaptation and DNA-based 3D bioprinting.
Press Release
Aug 6, 2024
Johns Hopkins APL Employing AI to Discover Materials for National Security Needs
Using artificial intelligence and innovative materials science techniques, APL is leading an effort to rapidly discover revolutionary materials that allow critical operations in specific, extreme environments.
Press Release
Jul 15, 2024
Johns Hopkins APL Forges Pathway to Stronger Alloys for Extreme Environments
APL researchers are accelerating multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) design by creating complex microstructures that provide composition information from only a few samples. The researchers developed a design capability to synthesize 17 unique MPEA compositions and present characterization data on over 7,000 unique data points.
Press Release
May 22, 2024
Breakthrough Process Creates Next Generation of Powered Wearable Fibers
Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL have established new, scalable methods of developing battery- and solar-powered fibers, making it theoretically possible for electrical energy to be harvested from, and stored in, the clothing people wear. These fibers could power high-performance wearable electronics that breathe, stretch and wash just like conventional textiles.