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The Hull Bug, inspired by hermit crabs, will swim alongside warships and keep their hulls sparkling clean.

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists in the Optical Sciences Division at the Naval Research Laboratory, report a successful demonstration of a novel high-efficiency ceramic laser that is both, light-weight and compact for use in both military and civilian applications.

Valley-based electronics, also known as valleytronics, is one step closer to reality. Two researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) have shown that the valley degree of freedom in graphene can be polarized through scattering off a line defect. Unlike previously proposed valley filters in graphene, which rely on confined structures that have proven hard to achieve experimentally, the present work is based on a naturally occurring line defect that has already been observed.

Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory Plasma Physics Division demonstrate significant progress in the efficiency and cost effectiveness of light ions in the fast ignition of fusion targets. Light ions such as lithium or carbon are easier to produce technologically and the ion beam properties can be manipulated and tailored best to suit the necessary requirements for fast ignition.

We have a space junk problem. Fragments from very small (a millimeter) to much bigger (several meters) are whirling around overhead at fantastic speeds, threatening satellites and astronauts.

Nanotechnology developments continue apace: Brigham Young University has pushed the envelope of carbon nanotube tech and shown how to "grow" complex structures from the stuff. Meanwhile the Navy is interested in using nanotech robots to "grow" new nanotech robots. Carbon nanotube logos A team of physicists at Brigham Young University has developed an innovative new way to grow carbon nanotubes into complex structures that are much more precise than has previously been possible