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Physical World

SRI scientists and technologists have one foot in the laboratory, the other in the natural world… with an eye toward understanding and protecting our environment. Uncover our innovations in radar, lasers, atmospheric chemistry, solar technology, biodefense, and more.

NASA Parker Solar Probe

2018

NASA Parker Solar Probe

SRI imagers help revolutionize our understanding of the sun.
2000s Earth and Space Sensing and devices
Advanced modular incoherent scatter radar

2005

Advanced modular incoherent scatter radar

Our AMISR ushered in relocatable radar to read atmospheric events, rain, sleet or tsunami.
2000s Communication Earth and Space Federal Programs Firsts Radar Security and defense Sensing and devices
Advanced modular incoherent scatter radar
Training the National Guard

2002

Training the National Guard

Live-training program gets soldiers combat-ready from their own home stations.
2000s Military Security and defense
Venus night-side airglow

2001

Venus night-side airglow

First observation provides new insight into Earth’s closest neighbor.
2000s Earth and Space Firsts
Venus night-side airglow
Artificial muscle

2000

Artificial muscle

Artificial Muscle made easy work of heavy lifting.
2000s Chemistry and materials Firsts Products
Hazardous waste disposal

1998

Hazardous waste disposal

Patented process decomposes hazardous wastes to undetectable amounts.
1990s Chemistry and materials Energy and green tech Firsts Pollution
Hazardous waste disposal
Rapid prototyping method for ceramics

1990s

Rapid prototyping method for ceramics

Inventing a whole new class of ceramic engine part prototyping
1990s Chemistry and materials
Radar that penetrates ground and foliage

1990s

Radar that penetrates ground and foliage

Innovative radar helps find unexploded ordnance and other concealed items.
1990s Earth and Space Military Radar Security and defense Sensing and devices
Radar that penetrates ground and foliage
Surface analysis by laser ionization (SALI)

1984

Surface analysis by laser ionization (SALI)

Extremely sensitive surface analysis now standard for analyzing metals, semiconductors and more.
1980s Chemistry and materials Seminal innovations Sensing and devices
Atmospheric research and radar

1983

Atmospheric research and radar

Advanced radar facilities help keep U.S. safe during Cold War.
1980s Earth and Space Federal Programs Radar
Atmospheric research and radar
Two-dimensional laser fluorescence technology

1982

Two-dimensional laser fluorescence technology

Spectroscopic method now used worldwide to visualize flow and chemical processes in combustion.
1980s Chemistry and materials Seminal innovations
Environmental test methods

1982

Environmental test methods

SRI methods help develop EPA testing still used today.
1980s Energy and green tech Federal Programs Firsts Pollution Seminal innovations Sensing and devices
Environmental test methods
Polymers for super strength

1980s

Polymers for super strength

Stronger products from tennis rackets to Mars rovers
1980s Chemistry and materials Products
Fracture Analysis System: FRASTA

1980s

Fracture Analysis System: FRASTA

Breaking down how things break down to build them better.
1980s Chemistry and materials Security and defense Software
Fracture Analysis System: FRASTA
Ozone depletion research

1980s

Ozone depletion research

Our research provided critical findings on protecting the atmosphere that protects us all.
1980s Chemistry and materials Pollution
Software implemented fault tolerance

1973

Software implemented fault tolerance

Develop a redundant flight control system that Langley would approve. We made that fly.
1970s Earth and Space Firsts Military Seminal innovations Software Transportation
Software implemented fault tolerance
PROSPECTOR computer-based expert system

1970s

PROSPECTOR computer-based expert system

One of the first computer-based expert systems aids geologists in mineral exploration.
1970s Artificial intelligence Chemistry and materials Economic development Firsts Sensing and devices
Environmental causes of lung disease

1970

Environmental causes of lung disease

Foundational study helps establish air quality standards.
1970s Energy and green tech Federal Programs Pollution Seminal innovations
Environmental causes of lung disease
TIROS 1 weather satellite

1960

TIROS 1 weather satellite

World’s first space-based meteorology satellite
1960s Earth and Space Firsts Sensing and devices
Laser photocoagulation for ophthalmology

1960

Laser photocoagulation for ophthalmology

A better way to look at eye surgery.
1960s Firsts Seminal innovations Sensing and devices
Laser photocoagulation for ophthalmology
Electrostatic discharge rods

1956

Electrostatic discharge rods

Innovative rods help protect aircraft from potentially dangerous levels of static electricity.
1950s Earth and Space Firsts Products Transportation
Solar energy

1955

Solar energy

As early as 1955, we saw a viable energy source. And a few dozen patents.
1950s Earth and Space Energy and green tech Firsts
Solar energy
Railroad hydra-cushion

1954

Railroad hydra-cushion

A softer ride on the rails dramatically reduces damage to freight shipments.
1950s Products Sensing and devices Transportation
Chemical Economics Handbook

1950

Chemical Economics Handbook

The sourcebook still considered the leading source of global chemical business analysis for more than 300 industrial chemicals
1950s Chemistry and materials Products Seminal innovations
Chemical Economics Handbook
Steel super alloys

1950s

Steel super alloys

Super-strong alloys can handle the heat.
1950s Chemistry and materials Transportation
Smog research

1947

Smog research

Healthier air for L.A. and the world
1940s Earth and Space Energy and green tech Federal Programs Firsts Pollution Seminal innovations
Smog research
Transmission electron microscope

1940

Transmission electron microscope

Revolutionary microscope improved magnification by 10,000 times.
1940s Chemistry and materials Firsts Products Sensing and devices

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