Rapid Application of New Technologies
SCRA Research Areas
SCRA's research and development programs are conducted under SCRA Applied R&D. SCRA Applied R&D's collaborative research model can be applied to many challenges. Our efforts are currently concentrated in the following domains:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
Few issues confronting the nation and the world today have as many different constituency stakeholders as do the family of alternative and renewable energy technologies. Whether focused on decreasing U.S. dependency on foreign sources of petroleum, controlling the man-made contribution to global climate change, minimizing the public health impact of air and water pollution caused by the combustion of fossil energy or promoting economic growth built around emerging technologies, there is something of value for everyone in alternative energy. Learn more.
ANTIMICROBIAL COPPER APPLICATIONS An SCRA Applied R&D-led team uses copper’s unique physical properties to meet needs for lighter weight, lower cost, environmentally friendly, more reliable weapon system components. In Army ground vehicle traction motors, copper rotors save weight and improve reliability. In helicopter airframes, weight, smaller size, and longer life are the benefits. Spin-offs of applied research for the Army has helped reduce cost, improve reliability, and increase corrosion-resistance in Navy components. Learn more.
ROBOTICS SCRA Applied R&D currently leads several national collaborations that are developing advanced robotics capabilities and implementing both new and existing robotics technologies in response to DoD manufacturing challenges. Our teams’ experience in managing robotics related projects and advanced manufacturing technology development is evidenced in the following examples. Learn more.
COST REDUCTIONS in U.S. NAVY SHIPYARDS SCRA Applied R&D leads several programs that conduct and apply reseach on behalf of the US Navy and the US shipbuilding industry. Learn more.
MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS SCRA Applied R&D operates and manages a Center of Excellence for the Office of Naval Research in support of the Navy’s ongoing effort to identify, develop and deploy advanced manufacturing technologies that will reduce the cost and time to build and repair Navy ships. The Center for Naval Shipbuilding Technology (CNST) draws on SCRA Applied R&D’s broad experience to extend the benefits of shipbuilding advancements across the shipbuilding enterprise. CNST addresses the diverse manufacturing challenges facing naval ship construction. Learn more.
FUTURE NAVAL CAPABILITIES The Navy needs radical but affordable advancements in sea-borne logistics to successfully execute its future Seabasing Strategy. SCRA Applied R&D’s holistic approach to advanced technology development transforms that need into a reality for the customer. Learn more.
HEALTHCARE AND ACCESSIBILITY In collaboration with our strategic partners, we are developing and deploying technology to enable seamless sharing of healthcare information, and enhancing information accessibility for healthcare professionals and people with disabilities. Learn more.
METALS TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS New ways of applying casting, forging and fabricating technologies contribute to the U.S. manufacturing viability for Defense and National Energy Policy. The SCRA Applied R&D award-winning metals technology consortia know how to link upfront research with manufacturing for sustained applied innovations. Learn more.
COPPER AND VANADIUM PROPERTIES Sometimes specific metals offer applied technology breakthroughs. SCRA Applied R&D’s Copper-Based Casting Technology and Vanadium Technology Programs are creating broad application successes based on specific element capabilities. Learn more.
SAVING MANUFACTURING ENERGY The Energy-Saving Melting and Revert Reduction Technology (E-SMARRT) program saves significant metalcasting process energy. Learn more.