This information blows the lid off the ‘seeding technology’ business between the US Military and private industry/academic research labs. Taken in the context of the claims of Colonel Philip Corso and others, it adheres to a pattern that is noticeable, and significant.

These summaries of ‘morphing metal’ technologies have been gleaned from the extensive DARPA site,  The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.
 

1. "DARPA and the ARO have been developing active control applications of smart materials and structures over the last 6 years". So although this is a relatively recent programme exploring the potential for these technologies, the degree of practical application already managed would suggest an exciting level of success. The DARPA organization directs cutting edge research which is initially speculative, with a high probability of failure, but also with the potential for occasional bursts of brilliance.

2. The actuators currently used in the wings of certain aircraft are facilitating 'morphing airfoil technology', whereby the shape of the aero-form can be altered mid-flight to maximize a particular manouevre or flight performance.   "Adding the active member into the control system significantly increases the controllability of the torsional modes for a marginal (0.1%) increase in power."   Military researchers and developers are succeeding in making aero-forms with wings that change shape with very little power usage, and no moving parts.

So, in the case of a fighter aircraft or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), the variability of the shape of the aero-form allows optimization for both 'subsonic interdiction' and also 'supersonic intercept missions'. In other words, an aircraft could assume one shape for flying towards a mission target, then take on another form for performing more rigorous manouevres when in action.  This extends mission performance significantly.  This is well known in some quarters, although it may still surprise many.  But, from what we have been reading, we think that this is the tip of the ice-berg!

The actuation devices enable surfaces to be controlled without the need for a traditional steering mechanism or driving hardware, increasing performance and structural stability. The devices are electrically driven, delivering a high force potential quickly. In practice, the shape of the wing actually re-contours whilst under significant external stresses, and then returns to its rest position without displacement after the applied electrical current has been stopped. In the case of missiles, thin film shape memory alloys might be used in nose control systems as compact navigation, guidance and control technologies.

3. Various alloys have been developed that retain a shape memory.  Some of these actuators perform mechanically upon the application of a magnetic field only.  For instance, that NiTinol, Ni-free Titanium and ferromagnetic Smart Memory Alloys can be "energized by [a] magnetic field".  We think that this property may certainly have a connection with UFO technology, insofar as it has been generally reported; unidentified aero-forms that change shape mid-flight, and have hazy appearances that relate to an energy field pervasive around the UFO at the time. There are many magnetic anomalies reported by witnesses and researchers, and a correlation between changing form and magnetic field effects appears to be an important consideration.

4. A non-military application that has been cited by CHAP [Compact Hybrid Actuation Program] researchers (who may be anxious to see their research put to some beneficial use) is in the use of Braille. We understand this to mean that 'writing' could be induced upon a smooth metallic surface, that can then return to its flattened states for continual reuse. One can then imagine a scrolling metallic script upon a metal interface that will allow Braille readers to access, say, an electronic book with ease.  It is a wonderful possibility.

5. It is mentioned that the architectures of the actuators are complex, and an allusion to an ‘organic system’ is given when talking about some of these remarkable metal alloys.  Upon the stimulus of an external command the powered actuator will be able to produce a mechanical force autonomously, and respond to a degree of complexity hitherto unimagined.  Given the incredible leaps in information technology that have been made over the past couple of decades, the level of command detail for a ‘morphing metal’ is very great indeed.  If they are as adaptive as is being reported in the scientific papers, then their flexibility could certainly mimic living systems, like muscles.  For instance, this quote is made by the Sarcos research team:

"These new actuators are similar in architecture to biological systems (elements arranged in parallel-series assemblies), but use very different building blocks. As in biological systems, the individual elements are optimized for best performance around one operating point…

"The small elements forming these actuation system achieve high power and energy density by using combustible fuel energy sources and efficient energy conversion via oscillatory and sometimes resonant processes. The power produced by the sources will be modulated at the individual element level rather by means of  components such as valves and power transistors, thereby providing power on demand with low power quiescent state. By using a modular architecture where many similar or identical elements are used, mass production methods becomes possible and economies of scale can be achieved. This approach, which we designate as Organismic Systems, is characterized by the use of many elements which are systematically interconnected in terms of structure, physical effort, and information."

The power to drive the actuators is portable, and could, for instance, take the form of a back-pack worn by soldiers who are  powered lower body exoskeletons. But there are hints in the research texts alluding to truly 'intelligent' materials. We consider it likely that the modular architecture described fits in with the general concepts of 'nano-technology'. That is, the intelligent ‘biological’ actuators have purpose-built machines within it designed at the molecular level.

This then takes on an altogether new dimension when placed in the context of proposed brain implants that can pick up neurological information directly.  This information could then readily be transferred to the ‘morphing metal’ interface that will be quite capable of adapting to the complex commands delivered by the brain.  One can imagine the development of prosthetic limbs made of these alloys that receive direct instruction from the wearer’s brain, and therefore react like real limbs.  The military applications are obviously quite incredible, and this might very well explain why $30-40m of military funding is up for grabs to develop this kind of neuro-control technology.

6. Finally, compact hybrid actuators are being developed to reduce levels of self-noise, particularly with respect to the sonar dedectibility of torpedoes. Mention is also made of UUVs [Unmanned Underwater Vehicles].  This technology seems to represent a kind of 'stealth' characteristic for underwater vehicles and weapon systems. One wonders whether a similar system has been applied to ground or air vehicles to effectively 'cloak' them on an auditory level?

Certainly, it is known that there are ‘silent’ helicopters, and ground vehicles used by Special Forces units that have stealth characteristics.

These current applications might lead us to suspect that the progress in this technology that has been officially released by DARPA, and the ‘actual’ state of play are two entirely separate things.  This will not be a surprise to anyone, of course, and one would expect the U.S. Military to keep their latest leaps in technology under wraps for when they are actually needed.  But this could certainly indicate that what we are presenting as ‘state-of-the-art’ in morphing metals is actually nothing of the kind.  Which then allows us to consider the ‘proposed’ future advancements with just a little scepticism.  Are we simply being ‘drip-fed’ with information about remarkable leaps in material technologies that are just around the corner?

Think about it…why are DARPA making all this information publicly available when these projects represent cutting-edge military research and development?  They didn’t do that with Stealth.  We think there is much more to come, but you can take a look and judge for yourself.  Become informed, because we think this ‘material’ will become a big part of your life sooner than you think.l

Shape Memory Alloys

As incredible as it sounds, material scientists conducting research projects for the American military are successfully creating metals that can not only change shape upon the application of an energy field, but that might soon be able to autonomously ‘self-actuate’!  Are we on the verge of creating intelligent alloy materials that have their own memory and motion capabilities?  Is this scientific progress an indirect result of the now infamous exotic materials that once fell into the hands of the US Government in 1947?

The following executive report explains the state of the art ‘intelligent material’ science produced by a University of Washington-based research group for CHAP, a highly ambitious materials research project commissioned by DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency:

Development of Compact Hybrid Actuators Based on Ferromagnetic Poly-crystal Fe-Pd Material:

“The goal of the UW-Instron-DOE Albany project is the design of a robust compact actuator based on polycrystalline ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) materials. " New materials will also be investigated.  A preliminary study of a proof-of-concept device has been completed and is described below:

“…The ductile nature of the polycrystalline Fe-Pd allows it to be processed into any 3-D shape, including springs, by using conventional processing methods, which would be quite cost effective.  [There is a] rapid actuation of the polycrystalline Fe-Pd spring driven by a portable magnet: the large stroke achieved with application of the magnetic field is clearly seen.  In this project, a more compact electromagnetic system housed inside the Fe-Pd spring will be developed.  In addition, new material compositions will be investigated, including Fe-Pd-Pt for a more noticeable shape memory effect and better superelasticity behavior and Fe-Ti-Co-Ni for cost.

“After improving the performance of the Fe-Pd spring actuator, a proto type will be built and demonstrated for Phase 1.  The prototype unit will consist of a Fe-Pd spring actuator (L=15cm, dia=3cm), an electromagnetic driving unit to be housed inside the spring, and a position sensor with a central unit.  This device is expected to provide up to a 10cm stroke capability with a relatively large force (150N).”

 These Iron-Palladium alloys are clearly capable of remarkable shape-changing feats already.  The investigating team is now attempting to integrate further ‘intelligent’ components into the alloy, such that there will be no requirement for an external energy field to be applied to the metal to make it reshape.  Is this nano-technology at work?  The metal itself will incorporate an ‘electromagnetic driving unit’ and, presumably, a ‘position sensor with a central unit.’

How large is the Fe-Pd spring actuator? Just 15cm length by 3 cm diameter.  Yet this spring will become an intelligent autonomous machine with a remarkable tensile strength and stroke capability.  It will have its own ‘shape memory’.

Where have we heard of this kind of exotic material before?  Before answering this question, let us explore the nature of these remarkable new materials a little more. The Sarcos research team describes these new forms of actuator in this way:

“These new actuators are similar in architecture to biological systems (elements arranged in parallel-series assemblies), but use very different building blocks. As in biological systems, the individual elements are optimized for best performance around one operating point…

“The small elements forming these actuation system achieve high power and energy density by using combustible fuel energy sources and efficient energy conversion via oscillatory and sometimes resonant processes. The power produced by the sources will be modulated at the individual element level rather by means of lossy components such as valves and power transistors, thereby providing power on demand with low power quiescent state. By using a modular architecture where many similar or identical elements are used, mass production methods becomes possible and economies of scale can be achieved. This approach, which we designate as Organismic Systems, is characterized by the use of many elements which are systematically interconnected in terms of structure, physical effort, and information.”

In other words, these metals are essentially machines that are built at the elemental level, and have complex internal architecture and systems in a similar way to living ones.  The nano-machines incorporated into the metal alloys utilize energy sources at the ‘individual element level’.  The metal alloy actuators are essentially autonomous.  This is very remarkable indeed, particularly given the accounts of those who have come into contact with materials alleged to be of an extra-terrestrial nature.

The Roswell Artifacts

In the latest research update by Thomas J. Carey & Don R. Schmitt regarding the Roswell case, they describe up to 9 types of exotic materials variously reported by witnesses to the events of July 1947 in New Mexico.  One of these types of metal has particular relevance here:

“An unknown quantity of very small to hand-sized pieces of a very thin and very light “metal” that displayed both solid and “fluid” qualities.  The colour of dull aluminium, a piece of it could be wadded up like a ball in one’s hand [without any sensation of weight] and, when placed on a flat surface, it unfurled [“flowed like water”] to its original flat, seamless shape without a mark on it.  Also extremely tough, it could not be cut, scratched or burned.

“Note: it is this so called ‘memory metal’ that our investigation today refers to as the ‘Holy Grail’ of Roswell since a piece of it, if found, would in our view constitute irrefutable proof that an extraterrestrial spacecraft had been recovered.”  (UFO Magazine Sept/Oct 2000) 

Perhaps, if the CHAP project continues to make the rapid progress that it has been in recent years, such material might not be solely the domain of extra-terrestrial visitors to our planet.  Could Compact Hybrid Actuators be the terrestrial equivalent of the Roswell artifacts?  Indeed, is it possible that the various research organisations engaged in the production of this kind of material are being surreptitiously guided towards this outcome?  Perhaps there are good reasons for believing so…

Colonel Corso

In his controversial book ‘The Day After Roswell’ Col. Philip J. Corso (Ret.), the former head of the Foreign Technology Desk at the U.S. Army’s Research and Development department, described his own experience of examining similar material alleged to come from the 1947 crash site:

There was a dull, greyish-silvery foil-like swatch of cloth among these artifacts that you could not fold, bend, tear, or wad up but that bounded right back into its original shape without any creases.  It was a metallic fibre with physical characteristics that would later be called “supertenacity,” but when I tried to cut it with scissors, the arms just slid right off without even making a nick in the fibres.  If you tried to stretch it, it bounced back, but I noticed that all the threads seemed to be going in one direction.  When I tried to stretch it width-wise instead of length-wise, it looked like the fibres had re-orientated themselves to the direction I was pulling in.  This couldn’t be cloth, but it obviously wasn’t metal.  It was a combination, to my unscientific eye, of a cloth woven with metal strands that had the drape and malleability of a fabric and the strength and resistance of a metal.  I was on top of some of the most secret weapons projects at the Pentagon, and we had nothing like this, even under the wish-list category.