The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

From our table to yours, #HappyThanksgiving from Johns Hopkins APL. 🥧

Johns Hopkins APL’s support for employees also serving in National Guard and Reserve units was recognized recently by the United States Department of Defense (DoD)'s Maryland Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) office, earning the DoD’s Pro Patria and Seven Seals awards. https://jhuapl.link/wmw This marks the second consecutive year APL has been recognized by the Maryland ESGR. APL was also the largest employer in Maryland to receive the Pro Patria Award, the highest recognition from ESGR state-level committees. To receive the Pro Patria Award, an employer has to have been previously recognized by the ESGR office. The DoD’s latest recognition speaks volumes about APL’s support for staff serving in the National Guard and Reserve. APL’s mission closely aligns with DoD by design, and leaders actively support veterans, reservists and National Guard members, says Larry Harvell, lead for APL’s Military and Veteran Recruiting Programs. “To get these awards, you have to be nominated by either a member of the National Guard or a reservist,” Harvell said. “This means, as an organization, APL is the type of place where staff members feel a level of support by leadership that makes them want to take the time necessary to nominate their employer.” #JHUAPL | #MilitaryTransition | #VeteransInTech | #VeteranSupport | #HiringVeterans | #Military | #SupportOurTroops

A groundbreaking team of innovators at Johns Hopkins APL have developed a shape-shifting antenna. Using additive manufacturing and shape memory alloys, this technology adapts based on temperature, allowing greater flexibility and efficiency across military, scientific, and commercial applications. Discover how this innovation could redefine communication capabilities: https://jhuapl.link/9uj #JHUAPL | #Innovation | #Engineering | #Excellence | #APLResearch | #TechTransfer

#NationalMilitaryFamilyMonth 🇺🇸 “Veterans History Month is a time to honor those who have served our country. For me, it is also a moment to reflect on my mother’s trailblazing journey at the United States Military Academy (USMA). When my mom entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1978, it was a historic moment. She was among one of the first classes of women to be accepted into West Point, and part of the third class of women to ever graduate. Her story is one of breaking barriers, perseverance and commitment to duty -values that she passed down to me and that continue to inspire my life today. Fast forward to 2014, when I graduated from USMA. By then, more women had followed in her footsteps, but the path was still far from smooth. As I received my diploma, I was one of only 11 cadets in my year group with parents who had also graduated. Shortly after, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that women could serve in all military positions, including combat roles. For me, this was not just a policy change; it validated the legacy my mom and others had worked so hard to create. Her service wasn’t just about wearing the uniform, it was about challenging norms and opening doors for others. Trailblazers like my mom remind us that breaking barriers requires strength, resilience and humility. While the road ahead may still be long, I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of a woman who paved the way for so many.” – Hope Mango is a modeling and simulation Analyst in #JHUAPL’s Force Projection Sector.

As part of the Climate TRACE coalition, Johns Hopkins APL is advancing the use of AI and satellite imagery to track emissions worldwide. This year, the Lab expanded road transportation coverage and analyzed emissions from wastewater treatment plants, lakes, reservoirs, and non-greenhouse gases. 🌎📊 These insights support Climate TRACE’s goal to provide comprehensive data for informed climate action. Discover our contributions to this vital mission: https://jhuapl.link/ivg #JHUAPL | #ClimateAction | #ClimateSecurity | #Sustainability | #ArtificalIntelligence | #EmissionsTracking | #DataForImpact

Johns Hopkins APL's Building 201 was recognized as runner-up for "Laboratory of the Year" by the Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association (SEFA), receiving acclaim for its innovative laboratory design and excellence. https://jhuapl.link/kgz Building 201, a 263,000-square-foot facility, features adaptive workspaces, extensive labs, a STEM center, a 200-person auditorium and natural-light-filled spaces designed for innovation and cross-collaboration. Most of the building’s 650 resident staff members are part of APL’s Research and Exploratory Development Department. Opened in 2021, Building 201’s architecture and atmosphere reflect APL’s innovative research initiatives and collaborative focus. From materials research, quantum computing and beyond, the workspaces and labs support some of APL’s most cutting-edge research and development projects. An in-house team from APL's Business, Construction and Facilities Department collaborated with architects from CannonDesign to conceptualize and design the building. Building 201 previously received the 2023 Excellence in Design Award from The The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Baltimore. #JHUAPL | #InnovationInArchitecture | #ResearchExcellence | #LabDesign | #SustainableDesign | #STEM | #CommunitySpace

Johns Hopkins APL has completed development of the Sun Coronal Ejection Tracker (SunCET) telescope and shipped it to the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) in preparation for launch in October 2025. 🔭☀️ Using an onboard computer to create a composite of multiple exposures, SunCET can deliver a complete view of an erupting coronal mass ejection (CME). CMEs—massive clouds of tangled magnetic fields and hot plasma erupting from the Sun's atmosphere—are among the most powerful events in the solar system. When directed at Earth, they can wreak havoc on technology, causing blackouts and creating life-threatening risks for astronauts, sometimes with only hours of warning. Yet, the forces driving these outbursts to such high speeds remain a mystery. Jointly led by APL and LASP, SunCET plans to capture the first-ever images of CMEs from their beginnings through the Sun's atmosphere to nearly 2 million miles from the solar surface, revealing how they reach incredible speeds and impact space weather on Earth. Learn more about the SunCET mission: https://suncet.jhuapl.edu/ #JHUAPL | #LASP | NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration | #SpaceScience | #SpaceExploration | #SunScience | #SpaceWeather | #SolarPhysics | #Astrophysics

The Johns Hopkins University and Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) have partnered with Odgers Berndtson in the nationwide search for APL’s next Director. This strategic role will lead the Laboratory's more than 9,500 staff members as they develop and deliver critical contributions to some of the nation’s most complex science and technology challenges. Located in Laurel, Maryland, APL is a research division of JHU and is the nation’s largest university affiliated research center. Since the Laboratory's founding in 1942, APL’s staff has produced game-changing innovations in key domains including air and missile defense, undersea systems, space science and engineering, cyber, biotechnology, strategic systems and artificial intelligence and machine learning. APL is widely known for its innovative breakthroughs, deep expertise, culture of experimentation and focus on collaboration. Interested candidates should contact Odgers Berndtson by December 1. Learn more: https://jhuapl.link/c1r

#NationalMilitaryFamilyMonth 🇺🇸 "Those who choose to serve in the military do so for many reasons. I share my story alongside others to reflect on the complex motivations behind our service. I was born in a military hospital, and my father flew B-52 bombers during the Vietnam War. Growing up surrounded by military service, it might seem natural I would serve too. In truth, my parents were surprised when I enlisted in the Navy. My motivation blended a desire to serve my country with a deep appreciation for the quality of life the military provided. I wanted to remain a part of that community as much as I wanted the thrill of adventure. During my career, I encountered others whose reasons for serving were as varied as their backgrounds. On the darkened bridge of the USS Hawes (FFG-52), a guided missile frigate, during a transatlantic crossing I spoke with a helmsman who joined the Navy to see the world before veterinary school. In the mess decks of the USS Abraham Lincoln, I counseled a seaman who enlisted for a steady paycheck and asked how to send half of it back to his mother and sisters. These moments, and many others, demonstrated the diverse motivations that formed the foundation of the military culture in which I thrived. Throughout my time in the Navy, I was part of a team driven by mantras like 'Mission first, people always' and 'Fly, Fight, Lead and Win.' These guiding principles underscored the importance of caring for each other and emphasized the dedication required to protect our nation. My wife and I often debated each new assignment, but I consistently found purpose in my service, shaped by the significant world events that intersected with my career. As we honor veterans this month, I reflect on what motivated each of us to answer the call to serve. My grandfathers served in World War II, my sister served in the Coast Guard, my brother served in the Air Force and my oldest son is a lieutenant aboard the USS Pasadena. Each of them has a personal story that led to their service, and I honor their decisions to serve.” – Matthew Testerman is a decision scientist in #JHUAPL’s Force Projection Sector.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL and the The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine developed a new neuroimaging method that holds the promise for detecting neural activity at unprecedented resolutions, expanding future possibilities for nonsurgical brain-computer interfaces. 🧠 https://jhuapl.link/vjl This research was part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology program. The APL and School of Medicine team developed a digital holographic imaging (DHI) optical imaging system to identify and validate a neural signal as tissue deformation that occurs during neural activity. These deformations are only tens of nanometers in height, and the DHI system was developed with sensitivities at the nanometer-scale. Numerous tests conducted over several years confirmed that the signal identified by the team was correlated with neural firing. “There are only a handful of nonsurgical methods, all of which have significant and fundamental limitations in spatial resolution, temporal resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and form factor. Our findings present a new approach that could significantly expand the possibilities for future nonsurgical BCI,” said Mike Wolmetz, program manager for Human and Machine Intelligence at APL. BCI technologies work by recording neural activity associated with functions such as speech, movement, or attention, and then interpreting that activity, often to control an external device without the need for physical movement. Controlling complex systems without surgical implants could have wide-reaching applications, benefiting a broader population. #JHUAPL | #JHUSOM | #Neuroscience | #MedicalInnovation | #BrainHealth | #DARPA | #STEM