Seven teams have been selected to help the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) drive quantum computing efforts under the first phase of the Optimization with Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum initiative.

The program seeks to develop a hybrid concept that employs classical computing platforms and intermediate-size quantum devices to address gaps in combinatorial optimization, DARPA said Monday. DARPA noted the program could be implemented in electronics manufacturing, protein folding and global logistics management.

ColdQuanta, Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Universities Space Research Association and Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College will test a hybrid computing algorithm to complete a combinatorial optimization issue, while Clemson University, Lehigh University and the University of Tennessee will develop theoretical approaches for a quantum optimization paradigm.

DARPA will select the participants for the program's second phase based on the results of Phase 1.

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has created a new electrical component that shows the potential to exceed 5G connectivity's expected speed. The resonant tunneling diode is made from gallium nitride and works to transport electrons at fast speeds via quantum tunneling, an occurrence wherein electrons move through physical barriers to produce current, NRL said Friday.

“Our work showed that gallium nitride-based RTDs are not inherently slow, as others suggested,” said Tyler Growden, an electrical engineer working on the program. The technology holds the potential for use in electromagnetic applications such as networking and communications.

Growden and physicist David Storm worked on the effort with partners from industry, Wright State University and Ohio State University. The two NRL researchers published their findings on the GaN tunneling diode in Applied Physics Letters, a research journal.

The team plans to continue the development of RTD, with the goal to boost current output without having to sacrifice power.

Students from Carnegie Mellon University have received NASA's approval for their lunar exploration robot to land on the moon.

The wheeled robot, known as Iris, has passed the agency's critical design review that is required for clearance to operate on the lunar surface, CMU said Tuesday.

Iris will fly aboard the Peregrine lander made by Astrobotic Inc. and land on the Moon in fall next year. Astrobotic helped NASA conduct the critical design review.

The robot is designed to support small research groups exploring the lunar surface. Astrobotic wants to commercialize Iris into the CubeRover product series. The CMU team will install Iris' flight-tailored components this summer. 

Astrobotic will provide NASA with 14 scientific payloads under a contract.

The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has established a joint center for web-based military information support operations (MISO) as part of efforts to ramp up implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, National Defense Magazine reported Tuesday.

Gen. Richard Clarke, commander of SOCOM, told attendees at a virtual National Defense Industrial Association event that the command intends to continue integrating AI and ML into ints programs and that it intends to leverage MISO for the “war for influence” against U.S. adversaries.

“We’re committed to rolling out specific things in the near term,” he said. According to the SOCOM head, efforts are already in place to deploy AI for predictive maintenance and edge-level mission execution.

Jim Smith, acquisition executive at SOCOM, added that the command is also interested in automated capabilities for precision fires, mobility, biotechnology, network communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

He cited other potential applications such as sensor fusion for operations with unmanned aerial vehicles as well as autonomous navigation and radio frequency countermeasures.

KBR has been awarded a Master Service Agreement (MSA) and Feasibility Study by JX Nippon Oil and Gas Exploration Corporation, a leading integrated energy, resources and materials group in Japan, the company reported on Wednesday. 

"Being given the opportunity to work on this study is indicative of KBR's capabilities and skillsets across complex industrial assets and demonstrates our strategic commitment to sustainability, decarbonization, and the development of blue/green hydrogen as both the clean energy for the future, and foundation of a green chemical and product supply chain," said Jay Ibrahim, KBR president, Energy Solutions.

KBR's study will assess options for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS), alongside blue hydrogen production relating to oil and gas fields in South East Asia, a region where JX Nippon will expand on its global track record of CCS/CCUS projects.

Under the project, KBR will provide technical consultancy services in relation to developing concepts and technology recommendations for the capture of CO2, reinjection, and production of blue (i.e. carbon free) hydrogen.

The company will also evaluate the feasibility of conversion and transport of hydrogen in other forms for sale into the market, including liquified cryogenic hydrogen, liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), ammonia, and methanol (utilizing CO2).

The project will be led primarily from KBR's consulting hub in Singapore, leveraging on the specialist skills of its wider strategic and advisory consulting and engineering groups, including a world leading cryogenic hydrogen team which works with NASA extensively on the storage, training and safe handling of hydrogen at extreme temperatures.

"We are excited to be a part of this significant project which is indicative of the global transition to more sustainable energy supplies and our ambition to grow and maintain a substantial presence in Asia Pacific," added Ibrahim. 

About KBR, Inc. 

KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the Government Solutions and Energy sectors. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 80 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses: Government Solutions, Technology Solutions, Energy Solutions.