This Week’s Tech Highlights:
- SBA’s New Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee: SBA’s advisory committee highlights challenges and solutions to support entrepreneurs in scaling breakthrough innovations
- Recent Homeland Security Efforts: New bills aim to enhance biodefense, counter Chinese threats, tackle unmanned aircraft systems, and more
- NSF’s EPSCoR Program: NSF invests $40 million to boost research and STEM workforce in five U.S. states and territories
Tech Sector News:
- AI: New executive order aims to reinforce U.S. leadership in AI
- Public Safety Tech: NIST aims to develop affordable drone systems for first responders
- UAS: The Air Force is planning the next phase of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program
- Space Tech: Space Force is also exploring AI and autonomy for satellites, aiming for more resilient, less ground-reliant spacecraft
- Biotechnology: Innovative 3D printing technique using gallium to create tissue structures, particularly blood vessels
- Clean Energy: DOE and EPA invest $850 million in funding for 43 projects to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector
- Cybersecurity: Report reveals Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0) program readiness
- Advanced Materials: $42 million has been awarded for research into cutting edge aerospace materials
And more!
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GENERAL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEWS
SBA Announces Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee
The newly announced Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee (IIEAC) aims to strengthen the U.S. entrepreneurship ecosystem by improving innovation commercialization, lab-to-market transitions, and federal innovation program accessibility. Their initial report outlines 12 recommendations to address gaps in support for inventors and entrepreneurs, enhancing economic competitiveness and national security through strategic SBA-led initiatives.
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Pentagon Says Small Business Programs Not Part of Grant Funding Pause
The Pentagon’s SBIR and STTR programs, which fund small business innovation, will remain unaffected by a federal grant pause as they operate through contracts, not grants. While these programs will remain funded, there are some discussions about reforms of the program to ensure it achieves it stated goals. Proposed reforms include expanding eligibility and scaling funding more effectively to ensure broader participation and impact.
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US Navy to Get GPS-Free Navigation Technology
The U.S. Navy has awarded Anello Photonics an SBIR contract to develop a navigation system for hypersonic vehicles in GPS-denied environments. Using SiPhOG technology and sensor fusion, the system will undergo a six-month demonstration. Future phases include prototype development, testing, and integration onto a hypersonic platform for evaluation in operational conditions.
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NSF Invests $40M to Strengthen STEM Research Capacity and Workforce Development Across Five EPSCoR Jurisdictions
The National Science Foundation is investing $40 million to strengthen research and STEM workforce development in Delaware, Guam, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Vermont under its EPSCoR program. Each state will receive $8 million to enhance research infrastructure, foster collaboration, and expand STEM networks, aiming to drive innovation, economic growth, and workforce development in underfunded regions.
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NASA Issues Logistics Study Contracts for Artemis Program
NASA awarded $24 million in contracts to nine companies to tackle logistics for long-term lunar missions under Artemis, despite uncertainty about future funding. The contracts focus on cargo handling, mobility, and waste management. While the administration signals interest in Mars, shifting priorities away from the Moon would require congressional approval, leaving NASA’s direction uncertain.
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Efforts to Bolster Homeland Security
Representatives have introduced key homeland security bills, focusing on bioterrorism, countering security threats from the People’s Republic of China, and unmanned aircraft threats. The DHS Biodetection Improvement Act aims to modernize bioterrorism detection, while the SHIELD Against CCP Act would create a DHS team to counter cyber and physical security threats to ports and transportation infrastructure. The National Training Center for Counter-UAS Act would finally enhance drone threat response.
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NASA JPL Prepping for New Projects in 2025
NASA JPL is advancing key 2025 missions, including SPHEREx for cosmic mapping, Lunar Trailblazer for Moon water detection, and NISAR for Earth surface monitoring. Sentinel-6B will track sea levels, while CADRE rovers will test autonomous lunar exploration. SEAQUE explores quantum tech, and Europa Clipper uses Mars’ gravity to reach Jupiter’s moon, Europa, in search of habitable conditions.
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Coast Guard Updating Cyber Requirements for US Flagged Vessels
The Coast Guard is enforcing new cybersecurity rules for U.S.-flagged vessels and facilities under the Maritime Transportation Security Act. The regulations mandate a Cybersecurity Plan, a designated Cybersecurity Officer, and risk mitigation measures. These updates intend to address growing cyber threats.
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PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
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TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS
AI: President Trump Signs Executive Order Calling for AI Action Plan
The new executive order aims to reinforce U.S. leadership in AI. It mandates an AI action plan within 180 days, requires a review of regulations that may hinder innovation, and directs agencies to align policies with national AI competitiveness goals. The order also calls for revising AI-related OMB guidance.
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Public Safety Tech: Drones in Disaster Zones- How Advanced 3D Mapping Technology Can Help First Responders Save LivesThe
NIST recently sponsored the 3D Mapping Challenge to develop affordable drone systems for first responders, focusing on 3D indoor mapping to enhance rescue operations. The competition encouraged drones that could navigate tight spaces, collect high-quality images, and create real-time maps. While progress is made, experts note more research is needed for reliable, cost-effective solutions for emergency use in indoor environments.
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UAS: Air Force Pondering CCA Drones That Don’t Require Runways as Officials Plan Next Increment
The Air Force is planning the next phase of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, exploring mission-level modeling for drones that don’t require runways. Increment 2 will focus on balancing cost and capability, potentially using drones that are less expensive and more versatile, including options for ground or rocket launches. The Air Force anticipates significant advancements in flexibility and operational capabilities.
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Space Tech: The US Navy Wants to Build a Fully Autonomous Satellite
Navy researchers are testing Autosat, an autonomous satellite system capable of detecting and characterizing objects in space without human intervention. The system uses an imaging payload to recognize patterns and track objects. The Space Force is also exploring AI and autonomy for satellites, aiming for more resilient, less ground-reliant spacecraft to enhance decision-making and maneuvering in space.
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Biotechnology: Biofabricating Human Tissues Enhanced Through Use of Gallium
Researchers at Boston University and the Wyss Institute have developed an innovative 3D printing technique using gallium to create tissue structures, particularly blood vessels. The method, ESCAPE, molds scaffolds that are then filled with cells to form tissues. This technique addresses challenges in tissue engineering by producing vascular structures at various scales, potentially advancing organ regeneration and improving health outcomes.
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Clean Energy: DOE and EPA Announce $850 Million to Reduce Methane Pollution from the Oil and Gas Sector
The DOE and EPA have announced $850 million in funding for 43 projects aimed at reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. These initiatives, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, will help small operators and Tribes deploy advanced technologies to mitigate methane, improve air quality, and support the U.S.’s climate goals. The projects focus on enhancing emission detection, improving operational efficiencies, and providing transparent data.
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Cybersecurity: Report Finds Large Gap in CMMC Readiness Among Defense Industrial Base
A recent report reveals that many defense contractors are unprepared for the Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0) program, despite the final rule going into effect in December. A survey shows that 58% of contractors are not ready for compliance requirements, with 13% taking no preparatory action. The CMMC 2.0 aims to protect controlled unclassified information and includes varying levels of compliance based on information sensitivity.
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Advanced Materials: University of Dayton Research Institute Awarded for Development of Innovative Aerospace Materials
A five-year U.S. Air Force contract worth up to $42 million has been awarded for research on the behavior and life prediction of aerospace materials. The contract aims to enhance materials performance assessment and develop life-prediction tools to help extend the lifespan and reduce maintenance costs of aircraft and their components.
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