Biotechnology for Materials - Applied Research

The Biotechnology for Materials - Applied Research program (PE 0602386A) is an Army-managed research initiative focused on developing and applying novel biotechnological methods, techniques, and materials to enhance the resiliency of the military supply chain. The program's primary objective is to leverage bio-industrial manufacturing to ensure a robust and secure domestic supply of critical raw materials and products essential for defense applications. This effort is centrally managed by the Army and supports the Tri-Service Biotechnology for a Resilient Supply Chain (T-BRSC), which coordinates with other military branches and select allied partners to create a cohesive biotechnology architecture for defense needs.

Applied research projects under this program are designed to investigate and develop bio-engineered materials that can be sourced domestically, thereby reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and increasing supply chain resilience. The program aims to design and validate technologies that enable rapid prototyping and evaluation of bio-engineered and bio-manufactured materials. Efforts also include determining and validating digital architectures for securing biotechnology data and creating computer-aided design software that supports the safe design and enhanced biosecurity of biotechnology products and applications.

CP6: Foundational Biotechnology Design and Development is a major project within this program element. Its goal is to collaborate with Joint Service partners to explore and establish novel biotechnology methods and processes that support a resilient domestic supply chain for defense requirements. Research under CP6 includes the design and experimentation of bio-derived, bio-functionalized, and bio-manufactured materials, as well as biosynthetic precursors. Specific areas of focus include the reclamation or sequestration of rare earth and critical elements, and the development of drop-in replacements for currently used military materials.

The project also supports the maturation of software pipelines for data ingestion and homogenization, facilitating interoperability and collaboration within the biotechnology ecosystem. Within CP6, the Biotechnology Safety by Design for Defense task is dedicated to designing and investigating emerging biotechnologies related to bio-engineered or bio-manufactured materials to address vulnerabilities in the critical material supply chain. Planned research includes assessing the feasibility of biotechnology use in military munitions, fuels, and lubricants to reduce logistical burdens by enabling point-of-need manufacturing.

Other objectives include developing biotechnology-derived ceramics and composite materials for hypersonic and high-temperature environments, enhancing the signature management and fire-retardant capabilities of military fabrics, and exploiting biotechnologies for the recovery of rare earth elements vital to defense components and advanced technologies.

SM1: Scale-Up Microbial Products for Biomanufacturing is a new project starting in FY 2025 under this program element. Managed by the Army's Chemical Biological Center (CBC), SM1 aims to bridge the gap between laboratory-scale and large-scale manufacturing of mission-critical materials using biomanufacturing techniques. The project focuses on developing methodologies for generating chemicals and proteins that can be used by other Department of Defense research and development organizations. The goal is to deliver materials ranging from laboratory-scale to manufacturing prototype levels and eventually to large-scale production.

Products developed under SM1 include foods, fabrics, fuels, firepower, resins, coatings, adhesives, and lubricants, all of which are essential for military operations. The project plans to deliver purified materials ready for incorporation into existing prototypes and programs, either as direct replacements or as new solutions. This work is aligned with the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's priority areas and supports the Army Modernization Strategy by ensuring the Army can achieve Multi-Domain Operations through a secure and resilient supply chain.