ERDC Featured Technologies: See What Patents are Hot

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)’s featured technologies for licensing. ERDC’s innovations are designed to solve military and civil challenges. Note that this site does not include the entire ERDC IP portfolio (entire list found here). This site is to promote those technologies with high potential for industry partnering opportunities.

• Uses ICP-MS proxy signals and digital processing to rapidly screen large sample sets for likely rare-earth-element presence
• Prioritizes promising samples for full quantitative analysis, reducing the time and analytical effort spent on low-value samples
• Applicable to mineral exploration, resource evaluation, mine-waste reprocessing, environmental sampling, and strategic mineral mapping

Scalloptic Protective Case for Fiber Optic Cables

• A non-metallic, water-resistant, insulated case protects the spliced ends of fiber optic cables from water, sediment, and frost
• Reusable design reseals cable connectors, eliminating costly onsite resplicing
• Ideal for telecom, civil infrastructure, and DFOS research uses

Portable Suction-Boosted Sand Delivery System

• Fills beach roadway mats with local sand, no need for heavy dredging gear
• Assembled by hand and operated by a small crew, no specialty tools
• Builds stable beach roadways for military, coastal, and emergency uses

Lightweight Airfield Matting System

• Panels are 33% thinner and 40% lighter than legacy AM2–easy to transport and assemble
• Fits standard 463L and ISO containers for rapid air or sea delivery
• Build connector taxiways, hangar floors, pads, and parking for military, disaster-relief, and remote sites

Underwater Blast Shield

• Contains explosions and captures debris
• Reduces shock waves and secures explosive remnants for safer cleanup
• Supports unexploded ordinance remediation, mine clearance, and blasting for dredging projects

Low-Power Robotic Actuation for Soft Systems

• Operates on just 3 watts, similar to a cellphone signal
• Maintains consistent performance with no loss after repeated activation cycles
• Enables wireless motion for soft robotics, prosthetics, aerospace structures, and deployable defense and exploration systems

Computer-Aided System for Airborne Contaminant

• Helps integrate airflow considerations into design process to meet codes and safety standards
• Provides airflow data in near real-time, allowing designers to quickly check impact of choices
• Saves design time and reduces building and maintenance costs

Light-Emitting Nanoparticle Sensor System

• Detects localized stress and pressure with greater sensitivity compared to conventional sensors
• Abundant silicon enables safe, scalable sensing deployment
• Luminescence provides instant readings without structural damage

Cold Mix Asphalt Binder System

• Ready for traffic in just 2-3 hours
• Can be mixed and applied on-site using basic tools
• Outperforms conventional CMA in strength and durability

Survivability and Assault Multi-Tool (SAM) System

• Combines four essential battlefield tools (ballistic shield, overhead cover, ladder, and footbridge) into a single modular system
• Reinforced ballistic panels provide immediate protection against small-arms fire and fragmentation
• Quick-locking pins and fold-out rungs allow soldiers to reconfigure the system in seconds
• Portable, compact, stackable design simplify transportation and storage

Blast, Ballistic, and Forced-Entry-Resistant Operable Window System with Glazing

• Readily installed in new or older buildings, including in walls of varying thicknesses with rough and non-plumb openings, without structural modifications or wall anchoring
• Designed to resist blasts, ballistic threats, and forced entry attempts when closed and locked
• Can be opened to provide ventilation, visibility, egress, and ability to return fire

UV-C Treatment for HAB Suppression (CyanoSTUN™)

• Contains UV-C within the reactor, preventing unintended impacts on the surrounding ecosystem
• Adjusts UV exposure dynamically based on water clarity and treatment goals
• Treats blooms without chemicals or permanent infrastructure

Construction

Electronics & Sensors

Environment & Energy

Materials

Protective Structures & Systems

Software

Digital Panning for Rare Earth Elements