About Invention Day
On 20 May 2017, the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation will showcase examples of today’s leading-edge military inventions alongside historical technologies from the Museum’s world-class collections. This daylong festival celebrates the crucial role of invention for the United States, explores the changing relationship between military research and commerce, and gives visitors an opportunity to envision how advances in military technology will impact their daily lives in the future. Come see more than 30 new inventions from the armed forces and associated technology firms, talk to scientists and engineers, and try hands-on invention challenges.
Click the links to the right to learn about the inventions and activities that will be featured on Invention Day.
- Hours: 10 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The Museum is located on the National Mall at Constitution Avenue, N.W., between 12th and 14th Streets, Washington, D.C. The Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metro stations are the closest to the Museum.
Anthrotronix
Anthrotronix
NuGlove
NuGlove. The NuGlove is an instrumented gesture recognition glove that can be used either as a controller for robotic devices or to track individual hand movements. Its capabilities include both static and dynamic hand and arm signal recognition for covert dismount warfighter communication. Courtesy of Anthrotronix
NuGlove. The NuGlove can also be used for both direct and supervisory robotic control via discrete gestures and proportional control of one or more degrees of freedom. The NuGlove uses the natural movements of the operator’s hand/arm as the input, but also includes gyroscopes and magnetometers, allowing for 9-axis detection and control in each finger. Courtesy of Anthrotronix
DARPA
DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
MAYHEM CYBER REASONING SYSTEM
Mayhem Cyber Reasoning System. Mayhem, developed by developed by team ForAllSecure of Pittsburgh, won the world’s first all-machine cyber hacking tournament. Courtesy of DARPA and ForAllSecure
LUKE PROSTHETIC ARM
LUKE prosthetic arm. The LUKE arm is a modular prosthetic arm that is configurable for different levels of amputation including transradial, transhumeral, and shoulder disarticulation. Courtesy of DARPA, Dean Kamen, and Mobius Bionics
MODULAR PROSTHETIC LIMB
Modular prosthetic limb. A pioneering surgical technique has allowed an amputee to attach APL’s Modular Prosthetic Limb directly to his residual limb, enabling a greater range of motion and comfort than previously possible. Courtesy of DARPA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT (VTOL X-PLANE)
Vertical TakeOff and Landing Experimental Aircraft (VTOL X-Plane). Preparing for LightningStrike VTOL X-Plane’s First Flight. Courtesy of DARPA and Aurora Flight Sciences
Draper
DRAPER
DRAGONFLEYE
DRAGONFLeye. A first generation backpack guidance system that includes energy harvesting, navigation & optical stimulation seen on a to-scale model of a dragonfly. Courtesy of Draper
SMALL SATELLITE, LARGE NUMBER (SSLN)
Small Satellite, Large Number (SSLN). Constellations of small satellites like this one generate increasing volumes of data of the changing Earth’s surface. Draper’s pattern-recognition algorithms improve help people access and understand the data. Courtesy of Draper.
TEACHING ROBOTS
Teaching robots. Draper’s neural network technology enables robots to identify and interact with real-world objects, paving the way for more flexible and capable robots of the future. Courtesy of Draper
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
MIT LINCOLN LABORATORY
SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE USING LOCALIZING GROUND PENETRATING RADAR
Self-driving vehicle using localizing ground penetrating radar. The MIT Lincoln Laboratory Localizing Ground-Penetrating Radar demonstrated centimeter-level localization on snow-covered roads during daytime and nighttime snowstorms. Courtesy MIT Lincoln Laboratory
US Army
UNITED STATES ARMY
US Army Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center
DISMOUNTED SOLDIER POWER
Dismounted soldier power. A helmet cover equipped with MC-10's photovoltaic Solar Panel Harvester material was used at an energy-harvesting technology demonstration held at Fort Devens, Mass., by the Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center. Courtesy of US Army Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center; photo by David Kamm, NSRDEC
US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
GROUND PENETRATING RADAR FOR MINE DETECTION
Ground penetrating radar for mine detection. Vilseck, Germany (November 15, 2016)—A student in the VMR2 Minehound Hand Held Detector course coaches another student on proper sweeping techniques. The Combined Arms Training Center's five-day course trained Soldiers to properly set up and use the VMR2 Dual Sensor Detector. Courtesy of Combined Arms Training Center, US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
THERMAL WEAPON SIGHTS
Thermal weapon sights. A 3rd Infantry Regiment Soldier aims his weapon using the Thermal Weapon Sight, or TWS. Courtesy of US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF NIGHT VISION
History of night vision technology. The Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate developed the very first Night Vision Goggle. Courtesy of US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented reality. Aaron Gardony (pictured here) uses hand gestures to interact with a 3-D model of a city. Gardony is a research psychologist on the Cognitive Science Team at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. NSRDEC is investigating how augmented reality, or AR, may help Soldiers improve their mission-planning skills. Courtesy of US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate; photo credit: Aaron Gardony, NSRDEC Cognitive Science Team
IMAGING WITH PUMA UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE AND DJI MATRICE HEXACOPTER
Imaging with PUMA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and DJI Matrice Hexacopter. 20625-A-3108M-005 GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan—US Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dylan Ferguson, a brigade aviation element officer with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, launches a Puma unmanned aerial vehicle June 25, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Ferguson uses the Puma for reconnaissance for troops on the ground. Courtesy of US Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate; photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod, Task Force 1-82 PAO
US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
AUGMENTED REALITY WITH HOLOLENS
Augmented reality with Hololens. Visitors to the ECBC display at the 2016 Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition experienced augmented reality technology by wearing a set of state-of-the-art head mounted display that enabled them to see a virtual image and detailed assembly instructions integrated onto a physical model of a biodetector and its components. Courtesy of US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center
US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center
COMBAT FEEDING RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING
Combat feeding research and engineering. RDECOM's Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center displays the new pizza version of the Meal-Ready-to-Eat during the Department of Defense Lab Day at the Pentagon May 14, 2015. Courtesy US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center; photo by Conrad Johnson
US Army Warfighter Directorate
BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT
Ballistic combat shirt. The Ballistic Combat Shirt, which provides Soldiers with better range of motion, less bulk and increased mobility, is the result of NSRDEC research using various high-performance materials created through athletic apparel industry and Army efforts. NSRDEC undertook the research in response to an increase in the weight and complexity of Soldiers' battlefield protective gear.Courtesy of PEO Soldier, US Army Natick Soldier, Research, Development and Engineering Center
US Army Research Laboratory
MICRO-AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
Micro-autonomous systems and technology. A micro-robotic fly wing hangs off the right front of a circuit board held by Dr. Ronald Polcavich at the Army Research Laboratory, in Adelphi, Md. The wing is just above his middle finger. Courtesy of US Army Research Laboratory; photo by Todd Lopez
AUTONOMOUS MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROBOT
Autonomous multifunctional robot. A PackBot is shown ready for use in Djibouti. Photo by Sgt. Jennifer Pirante
US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
MEDICAL TRAINING MANIKIN
Medical training manikin. Sgt. Zachary Vroebel, a medic with 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, practices performing a cricothyroidotomy on a medical manikin, Dec. 5, 2014, during the Mountain Medic Course, at Fort Drum, NY. Courtesy of US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command; photo by Melody Everly, Fort Drum Public Affairs
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
JUNCTIONAL TOURNIQUET
Junctional tourniquet. The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency is fielding a new junctional tourniquet designed to save Warfighters from bleeding to death on the battlefield. Junctional tourniquets are designed to stop the bleeding in the groin or armpit area where the Combat Application Tourniquet cannot be used. The junctional tourniquet is designed like a belt with air bladders that can be positioned in about 60 seconds—a crucial factor for combat medics who only have mere minutes to save a fellow Warfighter's life if he or she is hemorrhaging. Photo by Ellen Crown, USAMMA Public Affairs
US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC)
ZH2 HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE
ZH2 hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. General Motors and the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) on Oct. 3, 2016 revealed the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 fuel cell electric vehicle, a concept that marries fuel cell technology and its advantages of on-board water production, exportable electric power and near silent operation with extreme off-road capability. Courtesy of US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center and General Motors
US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center
MULTIFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND RECONNAISSANCE VESSEL (MARV)
Multifunctional Assessment and Reconnaissance Vessel. The MARV is a fast response system designed to travel with a four man team for rapid deployment and assessment of pile supported marine structures within 24 hours of arrival. Courtesy of Army Engineer Research and Development Center
US Marines
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
NEXLOG MARINE MAKER INITIATIVE
Marine Maker Initiative. Marine Maker looks to combine the innovation culture of the Marines with the collaborative tool set of the Maker Movement. Courtesy of US Marine Corps
US Navy
UNITED STATES NAVY
Naval Research Laboratory
GELMAN SURROGATES FOR ARMOR DESIGN AND INJURY ASSESSMENT
GelMan and Quad Guard Flak Jacket. Dr. Amit Bagchi, Dr. Peter Matic, and Dr. Thomas O'Shaughnessy (left to right) use GelMan surrogates, made of synthetic bones and soft tissue, to test helmets and armor for the military. "Our job is to provide some basic understanding of what's going on," says Matic. "Then we can contribute to the design and selection of the best protective equipment." Courtesy of US Naval Research Laboratory; photo by Jamie Hartman
UNDERWATER FUEL CELL
Underwater fuel cell. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has developed the benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) as a persistent power supply for marine-deployed applications. The BMFC operates on the bottom of marine environments where it oxidizes organic matter residing in sediment with oxygen in overlying water. The NRL BMFC is a maintenance free, non-depleting power supply suitable for a wide range of sensors presently powered by batteries. Courtesy US Naval Research Laboratory
LASERS AND PLASMA PHYSICS
Lasers and plasma physics. The US Naval Research Laboratory is undertaking fundamental research and experiments toward tactical directed-energy laser system. Recent experiments combined four fiber lasers using a beam director consisting of individually controlled steering mirrors. Courtesy of NRL
Talks and Discussions
12:00 p.m. The Invention Imperative
Speakers will provide historical perspective on the United States as a place of invention, address the role of intellectual property for promoting innovation, and explore the importance of technology and a spirit of invention to the military’s future.
- Arthur Daemmrich, Director, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
- Frederick Steckler, Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
- General Mark Milley, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
2:00 p.m. Innovations for Society
Scientists and soldiers will showcase leading-edge inventions, explain how they are a significant advance over previous technologies, and discuss how they will impact people’s lives in the future.
- Small Satellites and Big Ideas: How Space Technology will Change the Way You See the World
Kimberly Slater, Program Manager, Earth and Space Science Lead, Draper
- Medical Simulation and Training: Preparing the Future Soldier
Matthew Hackett, Science and Technology Manager, Army Research Laboratory
- Advances in Prosthetics: Integrating Humans and Machines
Michael McLoughlin, Chief Engineer, Research and Exploratory Development Department, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Fred Downs, demonstrating the LUKE arm
Johnny Matheny, demonstrating the Modular Prosthetic Limb
4:00pm Warfighter Inventor Panel
Soldiers with frontline experience will describe their inspirations and the tools, networks, and other supports they drew upon to convert ideas into inventions.
- Col. Marc C. DiPaolo, U.S. Air Force
- Sgt. Jonathan Gillis, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
- Sgt. Jeremiah Galyon, U.S. Army
- Command Sgt. Maj. James P. Snyder, U.S. Army
- Moderator: Randy Papadopoulos, Ph.D., U.S. Navy
Family Activities
Immersive experiences
Immersive Conquest of Darkness Experience, with the Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
Artifacts from the Museum's collections
Objects Out of Storage: Military Artifacts, with curators from the National Museum of American History
On display for Military Invention Day: The Special Weapons Observation Reconnaissance Detection System (SWORDS) armed unmanned ground vehicle is a weaponized version of the TALON robot. Three units outfitted with M249 light machine guns deployed to Iraq in June 2007, the first use of armed robots in American history. Courtesy of National Museum of American History, Armed Forces History Division
Hands-on invention activities
Build and Test an Aerial Vehicle, with Spark!Lab
A young visitor working on the "Build and Test an Aerial Vehicle" activity at Spark!Lab.
Create a Prosthetic Hand, with Spark!Lab
The "Create a Prosthetic Hand" activity in Spark!Lab.
Invent a Respirator, with the US Patent and Trademark Office
The US Patent and Trademark Office's "Make a Respirator" activity. Courtesy of USPTO
