FedTech10: 10 High-Impact Technologies Commercialized Through Startup Studios

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For over a decade, FedTech has partnered with federal labs, university research teams, and entrepreneurial talent to transform groundbreaking research into thriving ventures.

These technologies represent the very best outcomes of that mission: breakthrough innovations with the potential to reshape industries, strengthen national security, and solve critical societal challenges.

Each of these technologies began as advanced R&D inside a federal lab, university lab, or defense innovation hub. Through our startup studio programs, they were matched with entrepreneurs who could bring them to market, supported by a network of program leads, technology transfer partners, and government collaborators.

1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) RY Sensors Directorate – Resilient RF Communications

The AFRL RY Sensors Directorate is pioneering next-generation communication systems to support national defense and commercial telecommunications.

• Technology: RF Photonics Antenna System using optical filtering to isolate signals
• Impact: Enables secure, interference-free communications for satellites, radar, and future 5G/6G networks
• Partner Organization: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)

Through FedTech’s NSIN Foundry program, Tiami Networks was formed to commercialize this groundbreaking technology, bridging military-grade innovation with commercial markets.

2. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) – Visionary Sensing™ for Greenhouse Gas Detection

The Naval Research Laboratory developed bio-inspired infrared sensors that mimic human color vision to detect harmful greenhouse gases like methane.

• Technology: Bio-inspired infrared sensing
• Impact: Accurate, remote detection for agriculture, oil & gas, smart cities, and national security
• Partner Organization: Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T)

Through the Homeland Security Startup Studio, Aether is now commercializing this innovation, advancing environmental monitoring and climate action.

3. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme – Corrosion Detection Systems

The NSWC Port Hueneme Division is safeguarding mission-critical infrastructure with cutting-edge corrosion detection.

• Technology: Non-disruptive fiber optic corrosion detection system with real-time analytics
• Impact: Extends the life of aircraft, ships, and defense infrastructure while improving safety and readiness
• Partner Organization: Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T)

This breakthrough was commercialized by FibrX through FedTech’s Homeland Security Startup Studio.

4. Department of Energy Sandia National Laboratories – Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Battery Systems

Sandia National Laboratories continues to lead in energy innovation with next-generation storage solutions.

• Technology: Mediated metal-sulfur flow battery for grid-scale storage
• Impact: Improves energy grid stability and scalability, accelerating the clean energy transition
• Partner Organization: Sandia National Laboratories

Through DOE Boost, GridFlow is bringing this revolutionary battery technology to market.

5. DOE NNSA Sandia National Laboratories – Wearable Radiation Dosimetry

Developed at Sandia National Laboratories, this innovation is transforming cancer care and worker safety.

• Technology: Advanced dosimetry for personalized radiation therapy and early exposure detection
• Impact: Improves treatment precision and protects workers in radiation-intensive environments
• Partner Organization: NNSA Technology Transfer Program

Wearable Dose, created through DOE’s Emerging Tech Studio, is commercializing this life-saving innovation.

6. DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – Kelp-Inspired Marine Energy Converter

NREL developed a biomimicry-based ocean observation system inspired by the natural motion of kelp.

• Technology: Ocean buoy with regenerative power system for continuous data collection
• Impact: Enhances ocean monitoring and climate analytics to support marine energy innovation
• Partner Organization: Sandia National Laboratories

HydrokinetX is applying this innovation to revolutionize how ocean data is captured and used.

7. OSD MITRE National Security Engineering Center – Remote Optical Screening for Safety & Security

The MITRE National Security Engineering Center is advancing public safety with touchless optical screening.

• Technology: Remote optical system for environmental and physical threat detection
• Impact: Improves entryway screening and early threat detection, reducing risk to frontline workers
• Partner Organization: DHS Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T)

Signum Technologies, founded through the Homeland Security Startup Studio, is commercializing this groundbreaking system.

8. OSD MITRE National Security Engineering Center – Digital Copilot for Aviation Safety

Built on research at MITRE, this technology provides pilots with real-time decision support.

• Technology: Cognitive assistant integrating speech recognition, decision support, and notifications
• Impact: Reduces pilot workload, improves safety, and automates non-critical flight tasks
• Partner Organization: DHS Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T)

Digital Copilot, Inc. is bringing this innovation to market through multiple FedTech-supported programs.

9. NavalX Crucible Program – Eco-Friendly Foam Alternatives

The NavalX Crucible Program and Inland Empire Tech Bridge are advancing sustainable manufacturing.

• Technology: PFAS-free foam manufacturing process
• Impact: Eliminates harmful chemicals and diverts millions of tons of waste, supporting cleaner consumer and defense products
• Partner Organization: NavalX, Inland Empire Tech Bridge

Super Foam Corp emerged from the Crucible Startup Studio and Accelerator to scale this innovation.

10. DOE Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) – Rapid Pathogen Detection for Infrastructure

LLNL is driving innovation in infrastructure safety with a portable detection platform.

• Technology: Real-time identification of microbes that cause corrosion in critical systems
• Impact: Prevents costly damage to industries like oil & gas, defense, and water management
• Partner Organization: NNSA Technology Transfer Program

Through partnerships with multiple programs, BioVind, LLC is bringing this technology to industries worldwide.

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Celebrating the Teams Behind the Technologies

These ten technologies reflect the combined strength of federal agencies, university research teams, technology transfer offices, and entrepreneurial talent.

From AFRL’s advanced communications to SDSU’s sustainable manufacturing innovations, this ecosystem shows what is possible when breakthrough research moves beyond the lab and into the marketplace.

FedTech is proud to play a role in connecting these innovators, ensuring that discoveries from both federal and university R&D become real-world solutions that create impact for industries, communities, and the nation.