In this talk, I will present a brief overview of our recent defense-related research spanning thermal camouflage, quantum light emission for communications, and electronically throttleable propulsion systems based on transient plasma discharge.

For thermal camouflage, we employ multilayer graphene structures (approximately 100 layers thick) intercalated with ionic liquids. These systems exhibit large, tunable changes in thermal emissivity and complex dielectric response, enabling dynamic control of infrared signatures. I will discuss the underlying mechanisms and present in situ spectroscopic measurements, including ATR-FTIR studies, that characterize these effects.

I will also describe our work on quantum light emission in diamond crystals containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) and silicon-vacancy (SiV) centers, along with approaches toward integrated photonics. In particular, we demonstrate that high-voltage pulsed excitation can modulate the charge state and emission wavelength of silicon-vacancy centers, enabling reversible switching between the SiV⁰ and SiV⁻ states.

Finally, I will present a new approach to controlling solid rocket propellant combustion using high-voltage, nanosecond transient plasma discharge (USC-patented technology). This method enables electronically throttleable solid rocket motors—long considered a “holy grail” in propulsion. Scaled-down implementations are well-suited for satellite orbit-correction thrusters, offering improved lifetime and precise throttle control. These capabilities could enable dynamic maneuvers such as orbit randomization, which are increasingly important for enhancing satellite resilience in contested environments.