Engineered Microstructures for Enhanced IR Aperture Performance

Department of War · Office of the Secretary of Defense · SBIR Topic · 26.BZ

posted 2 September 2026 · closes 21 October 2026

Summary

The Department of War, Office of the Secretary of Defense (RELIANCE 21) is seeking SBIR proposals to develop industrially scalable production methods for an IR‑transparent composite ceramic with sub‑100 nm microstructural features, low porosity, and high infrared transparency for large aperture components. The effort aims to enable advanced sensor windows, hypersonic vehicle apertures, and other dual‑use applications by advancing a specialized nanostructured material technology.

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