Research Overview

The Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center (MERC) is the home of the Science & Technology (S&T) Business Area (BA). The S&T BA Technology Strategy identifies five Research Topics to develop breakthrough technologies for the future. These are:

• Information Processing and Management (IPM)
• Advanced Detection and Tracking (ADT)
• Materials and Nanotechnology (AMAN)
• Biotechnology (BIO)
• Cognitive Science and Human Dynamics

Within these Research Areas are the applications that MERC staff members are developing.

In addition, the S&T BA invests smaller effort in Directed Energy, Trustworthy Computing, Quantum Information, Small Power Sources, etc.

A significant portion of MERC department research effort is directed to the S&T BA programs in the Research Areas mentioned above. MERC staff members also support other APL BAs. The following is a summary of various types of work in MERC

• Internal R&D programs
• Direct programs from S&T BA sponsors such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Office of Naval Research (ONR),  and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Research projects for other JHUAPL business areas
• Partnership projects with academic divisions of The Johns Hopkins University
• Collaborations with non-Johns Hopkins institutions

As part of its facilities, MERC houses eight specialized laboratories that cover the gamut of research. In addition MERC also relies upon JHUAPL-wide facilities under the Technical Services Department.