DARPA to Invest in Microsystem Research Projects

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency plans to award as much as $1M each to multiple research projects that will examine the feasibility of microsystem concepts and tools.

DARPA said Tuesday its Microsystems Exploration program will initially focus on exploring novel materials, hardware security and heterogeneous computing architectures. Agency-funded researchers should tackle each topic over an 18-month period.

“This strategy of making smaller, targeted research investments will allow us to capitalize quickly on new opportunities and innovative research concepts,” said Mark Rosker, DARPA MTO director.

Rosker added the program offers the agency an approach “to assess whether or not a concept could evolve into a full program without requiring the use of more significant resources.”

DARPA intends for MTO researchers to study intelligence and localized processing of embedded microsystems, electromagnetic components and applications of the technology in electronic warfare, directed energy and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.