Emerging Tech

Researchers Sent ‘Smart Fabric’ Capable of Detecting Microscopic Vibrations to Space

The acoustic fabric, which could eventually be used in spacesuits and soldier uniforms, “bridges the physical and digital domains,” officials say. 

Emerging Tech

VA Plans Poop Pilots to Detect COVID-19 Outbreaks at Nursing Homes

The Veterans Affairs Department will test wastewater for early indications of infection among residents, who can then be quarantined to limit the spread to others.

Cybersecurity

Massive Hack Roundup: Microsoft Says Breach 'Not Espionage as Usual'

Here are the news and updates you may have missed.

Emerging Tech

The Evolution of Public Health

Driven by a global pandemic, federal agencies stepped up with new strategies and embraced new technical capabilities to combat the coronavirus and meet their missions. 

Emerging Tech

DHS Works to Improve Biometric Scanning of Masked Faces

Almost 600 human volunteers participated in a recent technology evaluation.

Cybersecurity

DIU, CISA Team Up to Coordinate Cybersecurity Tech Investments

The Defense and Homeland Security departments agreed to develop cybersecurity technologies for national security applications together.

Policy

White House Launches Plan for a Nuclear Power System on the Moon

It follows other space-centered proposals from the Trump administration—and might not be the last. 

Ideas

Why the New Administration Needs Federal Industrial Strategists

Smart strategy will require smart strategists who know the government’s policy levers and the technology innovation process. 

Ideas

Racial Stereotypes Drive Students of Color Away from STEM, but Many Still Persist

But no matter what they do, they cannot shake the perception among certain white colleagues and collaborators that they don’t belong.

Ideas

Artificial Intelligences Are Power Hungry, But Not How You Think

Keeping AIs on an ethical short leash is important but there are other aspects to consider.

Digital Government

Wastewater Testing Tracks COVID Infection Trends

It could be a crucial step toward an informed public health response to diseases like COVID-19.

Modernization

Exit Interview: DeLuca Discusses Time as Acting TTS Director

“I wanted to make sure that the group itself was strong enough to go and take whatever that next step was going to be,” said Bob DeLuca, who will return to his position at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Emerging Tech

Defense Awards $2.5B Deal for Next-Gen Communications Prototypes

5G- and tech-centered initiatives steered by the National Spectrum Consortium are set to kick off.

Emerging Tech

Biometrics in Action

Federal agencies ramped up the use and scope of facial recognition tools in 2020, expanding programs to target more people and making significant technology upgrades.

Emerging Tech

Report: Augmented Reality Challenges Privacy Norms

Augmented reality technology’s presumed growth comes with some risks.

Emerging Tech

Pentagon Risks Falling Short on Electromagnetic Spectrum Goals, GAO Finds

The Defense Department needs to improve governance and oversight of EMS strategies in order to maintain operational control, according to a new audit.

Ideas

Scientists Suggest U.S. Embassies Were Hit with High-Power Microwaves – Here's How the Weapons Work

The technology behind the suspected weapons is well understood and dates back to the Cold War arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Ideas

Your Robot Vacuum Could Spy on You

Researchers managed to recover speech data with high accuracy.

Emerging Tech

Intel Agencies Seek to Perfect Biometric Recognition from Drones

Intelligence and military researchers want to merge facial recognition with other biometric methods to identify people from long distances and steep angles

Emerging Tech

Army Issues $25M Sole-Source Contract to Monitor COVID-19 Vaccine Temperatures

The contract is part of the governmentwide effort to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are safely delivered.