Critical Technologies Market Insider - Week of November 04
Raj Sharma
TEDx | Deep market intelligence and smashing barriers are my superpowers | Connecting Public Sector with Emerging/Underserved Companies and Communities is my mission | Helping people is my only measure of success
This Week’s Tech Highlights:
Tech Sector News:
And more!
I. GENERAL EMERGING TECHNOLOGY NEWS
The Biden Administration has finalized a rule restricting investments in Chinese technologies linked to military and intelligence capabilities, focusing on sectors like semiconductors, quantum computing, and AI. Effective January 2, it prohibits U.S. investments in advanced chip tools, quantum components, and high-risk AI, aiming to prevent China from leveraging these technologies for military advancements.
DARPA’s recently released 2025 Young Faculty Award (YFA) solicitation invites research proposals from early-career U.S. academics across diverse technical areas, aligning with multiple DARPA offices’ R&D priorities. This year’s open-topic format encourages novel concepts in fields such as quantum systems, AI, materials science, and platform innovation.
A recent report released by NASA reveals that its Moon to Mars missions, climate research, and technology development contributed over $75.6 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 304,803 jobs in FY 2023. Major findings include $23.8 billion from Moon to Mars efforts, $7.9 billion from climate initiatives, and significant economic benefits across all 50 states, boosting job creation and tax revenue nationwide.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that they have cumulatively released $56 billion in financing for small businesses and disaster-impacted communities in FY24, marking a 7% increase over FY23. The agency also achieved over 100,000 financings, a 22% rise from FY23, and reported significant growth in loans to Black-, Latino-, and women-owned businesses. Notably, small-dollar loans have doubled since 2020 due to program reforms expanding access to affordable loans.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the first selectees for its Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Grant Program , allocating up to $27.98 million to 15 State Energy Offices and the American Samoa Territorial Energy Office. The program aims to boost the green workforce and promote energy efficiency through training for building energy auditors, particularly benefiting disadvantaged communities.
The Defense Innovation Unit’s GigEagle platform , an AI-powered talent marketplace launched in 2022, has moved from a prototype to a production contract phase. Designed to match military personnel with short-term projects, GigEagle now expands access across the Department of Defense, including upcoming versions for active duty and military spouses. The platform offers new workforce flexibility and joint mission collaboration options while gathering analytics on skill trends among users.
During the DLA/Army Service Integration Day, senior Army logisticians and Defense Logistics Agency leaders discussed improvements in data interoperability, advanced manufacturing, and food program modernization. Major emphasis was placed on using AI for precise supply forecasting, enhancing resiliency in the supply chain through advanced manufacturing, and updating the Army food program to include more flexible, nutrition-focused options like grab-and-go and campus-style dining to boost soldier readiness and modernize dining facilities.
The Army's xTech program uses prize competitions to engage new companies in developing technologies for military use, focusing on AI, clean energy, and autonomy. Current competitions, like xTech Scalable AI II, invite small businesses to contribute to Project Linchpin, advancing AI integration across Army platforms. Winners receive cash prizes and potential SBIR contracts, with support for scaling, prototyping, and navigating intellectual property issues, fostering innovation and collaboration with larger manufacturers.
II. PSF ANALYSIS & INSIGHTS
PSF's Batteries Manufacturing Ecosystem
We at Public Spend Forum , are working on different market intelligence reports and briefs for Emerging tech market assessment. One of our recent analyses focused on the Batteries Manufacturing Ecosystem.
For public sector market innovation and acquisition teams, investors, and emerging companies, PSF's battery manufacturing ecosystem covers: Demand, Supply, and Experts.
领英推荐
There's a lot more to uncover. You can access the Public Innovation Ecosystem Dashboard to see more information.
Customize the data for your use-case: Contact us if you would like to customize the critical tech datasets for your specific use-cases, through our Rapid Market Intelligence Sprints. Please reach out to us at [email protected] .
Subscribe to the?Critical Tech Market Insider?to get important market insights on critical tech markets and to become part of our 20,000+ community
III. TECHNOLOGY SECTOR-SPECIFIC NEWS
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched the Novel Responsive Space Delivery (NRSD) project to prototype commercial solutions for precise cargo delivery to and from space. Recent awards went to The Spaceport Company, Stoke Space, and Astra, aiming to strengthen resilient logistics for the Joint Force by providing rapid, point-to-point delivery in both space and contested environments on Earth.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E ?has announced funding for the GLASING program to develop next-generation Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) with triple the thermal performance of current technology. These IGUs aim to reduce energy costs and emissions by improving insulation for buildings, utilizing advanced materials and efficient manufacturing methods to support cost-effective, high-performance, and commercially viable window solutions.
The U.S., U.K., and Australia (AUKUS) partnership successfully tested autonomous and networked systems during the Autonomous Warrior 24 event, part of the Maritime Big Play initiative to enhance maritime domain capabilities. The tests featured autonomous underwater and surface vessels, resilient communications, and a Common Control System, aimed at improving trilateral maritime awareness, interoperability, and response efficiency against shared security challenges.
The U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E has launched the Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC3) program to develop quantum algorithms for advancing energy research. QC3 aims to address complex challenges in areas like industrial catalysts, superconductors, and battery chemistries. Teams must achieve 100x improvements over classical methods, driving breakthroughs in sustainable energy solutions and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The DoD has awarded its 2025 ARAP Program to the Hypersonic Infrared Target Sensing (HITS) project, led by the Army Research Lab. This $45 million, three-year project involves 50 federal scientists to advance infrared seeker technology for hypersonic weapons. HITS will develop materials, optical designs, and modeling techniques to enhance precision and agility in extreme conditions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2.8 million to seven small businesses through its Small Business Innovation Research program to advance environmental technologies. Funded projects include innovations for PFAS destruction, indoor air purification, extended produce preservation, disaster response mapping, and improved recycling systems. Each business receives approximately $400,000 in Phase II funding to develop and commercialize these solutions.
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a $162.4 million loan guarantee to LongPath Technologies for constructing over 1,000 methane monitoring towers nationwide. LongPath’s real-time monitoring system will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support environmental goals, enhance oil and gas industry efficiency, and benefit underserved communities by minimizing methane exposure.
WORK WITH US
"Mindblowing", "Immensely valuable", "A Home Run" - See and experience what all the craze is about- Run a Market Intelligence Sprint
National Science Foundation, NASA, DLA, Veteran Ventures, OSD (R&E) Microelectronics Commons. These are just some of our customers who have used PSF's Rapid Market Intelligence Sprints to run a market intelligence sprint for their use cases. Through old-fashioned analysis, powered by our award-winning data and AI, the Use Cases we are addressing include:
Please reach out to us at [email protected] to get started with a sprint or a subscription