October update: Futures Lab – cutting edge technologies and research influencing Defence

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Power

Following on from Microsoft's investments in small nuclear power, Equinix and the National University of Singapore have conducted a study exploring proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This was in the context of supplementing renewable energy generation for data centres.

Despite potential advantages, nuclear power does have risks, so hydrogen fuel cells may be a safer alternative - including for deployed, austere operations. Realising fuel cell advantages will likely need the local supply/generation of hydrogen, which is a hurdle to be overcome.

Sovereign cloud from Microsoft

Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty is due to be available at the end of 2023. Aimed at governments, this promises extra capabilities "designed for countries with jurisdictional requirements around sensitive data". These include more transparent logging and data locking mechanisms accessible only to the customer. While the security of public cloud is increasing, companies still invest in their own private infrastructure - acknowledging their own need for data sovereignty and reducing data processing latency. A variety of business models exist to service private infrastructure, from build-your-own and rent the excess; to purchasing off-the-shelf, micro data centres.

With Microsoft's service available as an infrastructure-as-code product, it creates the potential for hosting sensitive, higher classification data and applications on cloud services. However, other options exist for organisations uncomfortable with fully outsourcing their data hosting to a commercial third party.

Solid-state batteries

Solid-state batteries (those not requiring a liquid electrolyte) might be the 'just around the corner' technology of the battery industry. Despite previous hype and promises, Toyota has recently announced a technological breakthrough, claiming its new battery will provide cars with a range of 1,000km and a recharge time of 10 minutes. Other manufacturers such as Solid Power and QuantumScape have also begun shipping prototypes to car manufacturers. Whether or not solid-state battery technology can live up to the hype, commercialisation is likely several years away with the first vehicles fielding the technology not expected to appear until the end of the decade.

Battlefield electrification will rely on batteries. Yet, with the potential flammability of lithium-ion batteries if the anode and cathode come in direct contact through puncture or deformation, there is a potentially greater risk in warfighting conditions. With greater range, increased safety and short recharge times, solid-state batteries may be the panacea of battlefield electrification.

Mobile service from Starlink

Following announcements from Vodafone, SpaceMobile and Apple, Starlink has joined the race to offer mobile cellular services from orbiting base stations. Text messaging will be offered from 2024, followed by voice, data and IoT coverage in 2025. Like Vodafone, Starlink claim connectivity from a standard, unmodified mobile handset.

It seems now only a matter of time (perhaps under five years) before global, mobile cellular coverage is commonplace. The highly likely increase in connection latency may have an impact on voice traffic, but for text and data this seems unlikely to be an issue, especially if bandwidth is maintained. Not only could this benefit expeditionary operations, the inclusion of IoT connectivity could improve the tracking of global logistic shipments.

Smart glasses

Mark Zuckerberg recently announced a new line-up of Meta products including the Meta Quest 3 and a collaboration with Ray-Ban on a line of smart glasses incorporating an AI assistant. Since 2018, the US Army has trialled Microsoft Hololens for its soldiers, with further funding recently announced to fix problems and develop the system. More recently, Honeywell has announced an augmented reality helmet-mounted system for vehicle crews, claiming to project the outside of the vehicle to crews while closed-down.

Augmented reality may realise benefits to military users - such as training, maintenance and front-line operations. Form-factor and useability needs are likely to change depending on the environment and circumstance, but do need to be considered to make augmented reality practical for Defence use.

[Image credit: www.defenseone.com]

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