We’re excited to announce the 2025 live technology demonstrations! These demonstrations will provide a unique opportunity to witness DoD-funded technologies in action. Moreover, attendees will have the chance to engage with the minds behind these innovations. This will be a fantastic opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge and insights into the latest advancements in the state of the science. 

Integrating Deactivation and Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Low-Temperature Chloroaluminate Molten Salts

As demand for batteries grows across defense platforms, the ability to recover high-purity lithium and transition metals from spent batteries is essential for supply chain resilience and reduced dependence on foreign sources. This demonstration highlights an aluminometallurgy process using chloroaluminum chemistry to delithiate and dissolve lithium transition metal oxides under mild conditions—a promising advancement for novel battery material recovery. The exhibit illustrates the reaction mechanisms between lithium transition metal oxides and aluminum chloride solutions in ethanol containing AlCl2+. Attendees will see samples of the extracted materials and the aqueous separation processes that achieve high recovery yields and purities of lithium and transition metals. The demonstration includes visual evidence of the technology's efficiency and scalability when processing spent lithium-ion batteries.

Presenter: Dr. Juchen Guo

Organization: University of California – Riverside

Project: WP24-0267

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Optimization of Self-healing Fiber-reinforced Polymer-matrix Composites via Convolutional Neural Network

Delamination damage has long limited the safety and lifetime of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites widely used across military platforms. This failure mode undermines the lightweight performance advantage of composites while driving costly, time-intensive inspections and repairs. This demonstration features a self-healing FRP composite platform that autonomously re-mends internal fractures using a thermoplastic agent activated by heat. Participants will see how the material repeatedly restores structural integrity without external intervention. The demonstration highlights the technology’s potential to reduce downtime, extend service life, and strengthen readiness for systems where invisible composite damage can otherwise escalate into mission-limiting failures.

Presenter: Dr. Jason Patrick

Organization: University of North Carolina 

Project: WP21-1240

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Structural Repair of Metal Alloys by a Solid-State Additive Deposition Process

Aircraft structural components are vulnerable to corrosion and fatigue damage yet are difficult to repair with conventional methods. These challenges increase costs, extend downtime, and reduce aircraft availability. This demonstration showcases Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), a solid-state additive process that restores high-strength aluminum alloys by depositing fresh material directly into damaged areas without melting the substrate. Participants will observe how AFSD achieves defect-free, metallurgically bonded repairs and restores structural fatigue performance. The exhibit highlights the method’s ability to extend the lifespan of critical aerospace components, reduce reliance on long-lead replacement parts, and support operational readiness across the Services.

Presenter: Dr. J. Brian Jordon 

Organization: Baylor University

Project: WP21-1102

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Augmented Reality for Flood Resilience of Military Installation and Surrounding Community Infrastructure

The FloodVue mobile application will be demonstrated as an innovative tool that transforms abstract flood mapping into actionable insights for military installations and civilian communities. This technology integrates multiple data sources to provide augmented reality projections of potential flood conditions directly on smartphones and tablets while users are on the ground. Demonstrators will highlight how the application enables visualization of precisely where and how high flooding could occur under different scenarios, expanding foresight capabilities for both municipal planners and military base managers. Through this visualization approach, stakeholders can understand the impact of various rainfall events and infrastructure modifications on utilities and critical assets, allowing installation managers to identify vulnerabilities, assess operational impacts, and implement more effective resilience planning across military facilities.

Presenter: Dr. Dawn Johnson

Organization: WSP 

Project: NH23-7809

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Rapid Life Cycle Assessment Methodology for Enhanced Decision-Making and Reduced Supply Chain Impact in Military Construction and Facility Planning

This demonstration will showcase a user-friendly calculator tool that assesses building materials supply chain impacts for procurement and engineering decision support at Navy and USACE installations. The technology analyzes eight critical construction materials—steel, concrete, plastic, wood, glass, insulation, aluminum, and modular components—using life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis (TEA) methodologies. Demonstrators will highlight the interactive features allowing users to compare business-as-usual construction approaches with alternative materials by adjusting supply chain parameters. Through this next generation decision support tool, installation managers will be able to identify cost and risk drivers while improving resilience against supply chain disruptions in military construction projects.

Presenter: Dr. Melissa Harclerode

Organization: Boundless Impact Research & Analytics

Project: NH24-8125

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FuelsCraft: An Innovative Wildland Fuel Mapping Tool for Prescribed Fire Decision Support on Military Installations

This demonstration will showcase FuelsCraft, an innovative wildland fuel mapping tool for prescribed fire decision support on installation lands in the southeastern U.S. The technology uses AI, 3D visualization, and existing field and remotely sensed point cloud data to create realistic representations of both canopy and surface fuels. Demonstrators will also highlight the LitterBox module of the FuelsCraft project, allowing users to interactively change parameters to customize simulations of forest litterbeds. Through these next generation visualization tools, installation managers will be able to bypass costly field surveys while improving the precision of coupled fire-atmosphere modeling.

Presenter: Dr. Susan Prichard

Organization: University of Washington 

Project: RC23-7779

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Demonstrating Improved Accuracy, Consistency, and Efficiency of Military Land Monitoring Using Laser Scanning Technology

This demonstration shows how laser scanning can make military land monitoring faster, more accurate, and more consistent. Participants will see a push-button terrestrial laser scanning system (TLS) from the Interagency LiDAR Monitoring (IntELiMon) program that rapidly maps the 3D structure of forested plots. They will also see the CruzAssist system by Silvxlabs, which automates calculations from TLS data to generate a comprehensive suite of forest and fuel metrics. Together, these lightweight, compatible tools provide an affordable and streamlined system for efficient field monitoring.

Presenter: Dr. Louise Loudermilk

Organization: USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Project: RC24-8162

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Interactive App for Coastal Wetland Mapping

This demonstration will showcase a preliminary version of an interactive app for DoD managers of natural infrastructure to assess large unaccounted organic matter pools in wetlands in coastal military installations. The app will equip managers with a tool to assess organic matter density and flows in coastal wetlands soil and vegetation biomass that act as natural buffers protecting vital military assets against storm surges, flooding, seawater overtopping, and coastal erosion. The baseline provided by this tool will help DoD managers anticipate threats to these natural defense systems and enhance adaptive capacity to safeguard coastal DoD property and maintain operations.

Presenter: Dr. Andre Rovai 

Organization:The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center and The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Project: RC25-4887 

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Arctic Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) 

This project demonstrates a novel Arctic Sea ice intelligence product derived from NASA’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite. Leveraging SWOT’s unique wide-swath altimetry, it delivers daily estimates of sea ice freeboard, thickness, concentration, and motion at 250-meter resolution across the Arctic. By integrating complementary data sources such as ICESat-2, the dataset significantly enhances situational awareness, forecasting, and risk management. Developed for integration into the U.S. Arctic Observing Network, the product provides actionable insights to support operations in a rapidly evolving and strategically critical region.

Presenter: Dr. Benjamin Hamlington 

Organization: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

Project: ILN

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Demonstration of Highly Integrated Autonomous ROV-based 3DEM for Underwater Advanced Geophysical Classification (APEX)

This demonstration features the APEX system, a DoD-accredited dynamic advanced geophysical classification (AGC) sensor for munitions response. Using multi-axis, high-resolution electromagnetic induction (EMI), APEX collects digital geophysical mapping data and enables classification decisions directly from dynamic surveys. Participants will see how this integrated approach improves detection and discrimination of hazardous munitions versus non-hazardous debris, enhancing safety and efficiency in underwater operations.

Presenter: Dr. Gregory Schultz 

Organization: White River Technologies

Project: MR22-7454

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Demonstration of Highly Integrated Autonomous ROV-based 3DEM for Underwater Advanced Geophysical Classification (MAGPi UAS Magnetometer)

This demonstration highlights the MAGPi system, which integrates total-field magnetometers with electro-optical imaging, an autonomous tow-bird, drone mission planning, and data processing tools. Participants will see how MAGPi enables wide-area aerial surveys to detect and track potential unexploded ordnance (UXO). The system’s combination of autonomous flight and magnetic sensing makes it a powerful capability for rapid, cost-effective site assessment.

Presenter: Dr. Gregory Schultz 

Organization: White River Technologies

Project: MR22-7454

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Transferring Capability for Microgrids and Resilience in Military Installations

This demonstration highlights how advanced microgrid and energy resilience training directly strengthens mission readiness and installation security. Participants will see examples from programs that have already trained more than 1,500 DoD personnel using hands-on software and hardware for resilience planning and operations. The exhibit features training modules covering needs assessment, engineering design, cost modeling, cybersecurity, procurement, commissioning, and black start exercises. Attendees can review ESTCP-funded training packages for leadership (2–8 hours) and technical execution (40–80 hours) and explore options to tailor content for specific operational requirements.

Presenter: Dr. Nathan Johnson 

Organization: Arizona State University

Project: EW22-7348

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Immersive Environment Retro-commissioning Training Tools

This demonstration showcases innovative immersive training for Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) skills, allowing participants to experience firsthand how simulation-based learning enhances technical proficiency. Through interactive puzzles accessible via provided laptops, hands-on experiences with physical equipment and measuring tools, and elements integrated into the poster design, visitors will engage directly with the tools and techniques professionals use in the field. This research initiative measures the effectiveness of immersive training approaches compared to traditional methods, providing valuable insights for both DoD facility management and commercial applications where building systems expertise is critical for operational efficiency and cost reduction.

Presenter: Mr. Jay Tulley

Organization: US Army Corps of Engineers

Project: EW24-8148

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Wildland Fire VR Technology Demonstration: Visualizing Energy Release and Exposures in a Portable Training Environment

Obsidian Solutions Group has developed a Wildland Fire VR prototype that converts over 200 GB of QUIC-Fire simulation data from Los Alamos National Laboratory into an engaging, practical training environment. This approach focuses on operational training needs by optimizing the system to run independently on standalone VR headsets, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for end users. The demonstration includes GPU-instanced vegetation, dynamic burn progression, and overlays for exposures and energy release, allowing personnel to realistically practice hazard identification and improve tactical decision-making in a safe virtual environment.

Presenter:  Mr. Ryan Chen 

Organization: Obsidian Solutions Group

Project:  Tech Grove 

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FireVista™: Advanced 3D Visualization Platform for Critical Fire Management Decisions"

FireVista™ delivers a state-of-the-art 3D visualization platform showcasing advanced fire simulation models, empowering end users to simulate, plan, and make critical decisions with confidence and reduced risk. Leveraging custom data pipelines and high-performance GPU rendering, FireVista™ ensures fast, accurate, and validated insights backed by over 30 years of R&D and Los Alamos National Laboratory. This demonstration will highlight upcoming tools for fuel inventory optimization and thinning, as well as immersive extended reality (XR) features designed to enhance collaborative decision-making in defense and emergency management.

Presenter:  Mr. Mike Langone 

Organization:  SciVista, Inc

Project:  Tech Grove

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Green Remediation of PFAS in Soil and Water

Aluminum-based drinking water treatment residuals (Al-WTRs), typically a non-hazardous solid waste destined for landfills, have been transformed into superior filter media that irreversibly adsorb PFAS. This patented granulation method converts these powdered particles into bead-size granules that maintain high PFAS adsorption capacity while improving hydraulic flow. This demonstration showcases the media in modular filtration columns, and a model catch basin insert, highlighting how this technology offers a scalable, low-cost solution for PFAS-impacted groundwater and stormwater while adhering to circular economy principles.

Presenter:  Dr.Dibyendu Sarkar

Organization:  Stevens Institute of Technology 

Project:  ER22-3194

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Development of Novel Functionalized Polymeric Thin Films for Equilibrium Passive Sampling of PFAS in Surface and Groundwater

This physical demonstration with field mockups will showcase applications of in situ passive samplers to monitor porewater concentrations at the sediment-water interface. High resolution concentration profiles at this critical interface enhance our understanding of chemical transport and the effectiveness of in situ remediation approaches. Through years of research and development, this technology was adapted to monitor various chemicals of concern at multiple sites, which will be showcased through passive sampling devices currently being used in field applications. 

Presenter: Dr. Upal Ghosh 

Organization:  University of Buffalo 

Project:  ER20-1336

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Hydroaerofuel Conversion Initiative (HACI): A Novel Hydrothermal Liquefaction Process for Conversion of AFFF to Renewable Fuels

This demonstration showcases the River Otter ECLIPSE system, which employs radical initiated hydrothermal liquefaction (RI-HTL) technology to remove up to 99.96% of PFAS compounds from firefighting foam while converting organic components into usable diesel or jet fuel. The process transforms PFAS-laden AFFF concentrate into valuable crude oil and water, creating a self-sustaining operation where the produced oil powers the system itself and generates necessary reagents. ECLIPSE offers an efficient approach to eliminate stockpiled AFFF while recovering energy resources that directly benefit warfighters and their communities.

Presenter:  Ms.Amelia Thomas 

Organization:  River Otter Renewables, Inc

Project:  ER25-4955