The Department of Defense supports UM research in a variety of fields, from chemistry to engineering to medicine. Projects include the development of high-performance materials for an array of technologies, improved technology production methods, communications technology and capabilities, monitoring capabilities, and automotive, biomedical and health projects.

Examples of UM projects supported by the DOD:

Surviving Information Warfare Attacks: To enhance the adaptivity, flexibility and thus, the survivability, of large-scale information systems, complex decisions need to be made about what components to use in what ways. Economists recognize the power of market mechanisms to efficiently allocate resources. UM researchers are applying a market strategy to information systems. They are developing software modules that would act as agents in virtual auctions to allocate resources to keep a large-scale information system operating despite attacks on its components. (See the MARX project)

Lightweight High Temperature Aerospace Alloys: Porous metals and foams reduce density of materials and offer low-cost processing of high temperature metals used in aerospace applications. UM researchers are developing a fundamental understanding of how liquid metals foam and solidify. They are also investigating ways to fabricate the porous metals and are studying the mechanical response of the materials. With industry partners, UM researchers are exploring a new, low-cost foam processing technology for these metals.

Anti-pathogen Creams: UM researchers have developed a "cream" that can be applied to the skin and mucous membranes to block pathogens. It can also be mixed with contaminated food and water. The cream is composed of a non-phospholipid liposome (fat) emulsion and polymer-based decoy molecules. These composite creams will allow soldiers to fight without using plastic suits and gas masks. This cream is effective against a broad range of pathogens including anthrax-like spores.

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