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. 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. 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.