| Abstract Scope |
The global economy is being reshaped by macro-trends in artificial intelligence, supply chain diversification, and the rapid growth of disruptive markets. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has a long history of not only navigating but driving these transformations by investing in foundational materials and manufacturing technologies. Landmark achievements, from stealth technology to the technologies enabling lunar exploration, demonstrate a proven model for translating high-risk, high-reward research into globally impactful capabilities.
This presentation will move beyond a historical overview to discuss DARPA's forward-looking strategy for accelerating materials innovation. We will explore how current investments in areas like hypersonics and next-generation microelectronics are directly addressing today's most critical challenges, including supply chain resilience and strategic material dependencies. We will highlight our approach to fostering startup-driven innovation, developing new tools to accelerate materials discovery, and pioneering distributed, resilient manufacturing models. By connecting our mission to the practical pathways for commercialization and scale-up, this discussion will offer valuable insights into the industry-academia-government collaboration required to maintain a competitive edge in a period of rapid change. |