PHOENIX, AZ (November 20, 2025) – Eight cutting-edge, defense-focused research and development projects have been selected for funding through the Regents Grant program, the result of a partnership between the Arizona Board of Regents and the recently established Arizona Office of Defense Innovation (ODI). This collaboration, designed to leverage federal investments in applied research, focuses on fostering dual-use innovations – supporting both commercial and national security markets – that strengthen Arizona’s tech ecosystem and national security capabilities.

Each project will receive $90,000 to support technology validation, mentorship, and targeted commercialization training. Teams will gain access to follow-on funding opportunities through a Phase II acceleration program and participate in a six-month startup accelerator focused on customer discovery, with the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (SWMAC) providing access to military stakeholders to better align university research with defense needs.

“Arizona’s commitment to innovation and collaboration is driving transformative research that strengthens our state’s position as a national leader in defense and technology,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We are proud to support our universities and thank the Arizona Board of Regents and SWMAC for their partnership and dedication to advancing Arizona’s tech ecosystem.”

“Arizona’s universities are pioneering technologies that advance both national defense and commercial innovation,” said ABOR Chair Doug Goodyear. “By bridging research with real-world application, these projects strengthen our state’s role as a hub for dual-use technology, ultimately driving discovery that keeps our nation secure and powers new industries across Arizona.”

“This initiative redefines how Arizona's research enterprise moves ideas from the lab to the marketplace,” said Drew Trojanowski, CEO of the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center. “By aligning our universities more directly with industry and federal partners, we’re accelerating commercialization, driving economic growth, and ensuring that critical technologies make it into the field where they’re needed most.”

Background

The ACA and SWMAC selected the projects through a competitive application process, generating more than 55 applications. Proposals were evaluated based on their alignment with key technical domains such as Advanced Propulsion Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Secure Connectivity. This effort builds on the collaboration through the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation, a public-private partnership between the Arizona Commerce Authority and SWMAC advancing dual-use technologies and supporting the growth of Arizona’s national security missions.

Project descriptions

1. Teuvonet – Explainable AI for Defense and Commercial Systems

• University: Arizona State University
• Project Lead: Asim Roy, Ph.D.
  Technology: Teuvonet introduces a novel “Explanation First, Model Later” approach to Explainable AI (XAI), enabling part-based object detection for mission-critical image recognition. This method enhances robustness against adversarial attacks (e.g., camouflage, decoys) and provides transparent, part-level explanations for AI decisions. Applications span defense (drone-based surveillance, satellite imagery analysis) and commercial sectors, aligning with new regulatory requirements for AI explainability. The technology has demonstrated feasibility in real-time satellite image processing and is supported by multiple patent filings and Air Force STTR proposals.

2. In-Space Wireless Power Transfer Using Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

• University: Arizona State University
• Project Leads: Georgios Trichopoulos, Ph.D. (PI), Tyler Smith, Ph.D. (Co-I)
• Technology: This project advances Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for wireless power transfer (WPT) in space, enabling satellite-to-satellite energy sharing and “power-as-a-service” architectures. RIS technology offers precise, dynamic beam steering and high energy efficiency, with dual-use applications in smart infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and IoT. The team will demonstrate point-to-point WPT via a CubeSat flight, aiming to transition from TRL 3 to TRL 5 and commercialize RIS for both military and civilian space operations.

3. Resilient Zero-Trust Key Exchange for Terminal Devices in Contested Areas

• University: Northern Arizona University
• Project Lead: Bertrand Cambou, Ph.D.
• Technology: This project develops dynamic cryptographic key exchange protocols for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating in zero-trust, signal-jammed environments. Using patented Challenge-Response Pair (CRP) mechanisms and lightweight error-correcting schemes, the technology enables secure, error-free key distribution without storing keys on devices—enhancing cybersecurity and resilience against interception or capture. The protocols are compatible with post-quantum cryptography and have broad dual-use potential in defense, critical infrastructure, and commercial sectors.

4. Glasswing: Modular UAS Autonomy for GPS-Denied and Complex Environments

• University: Northern Arizona University
• Project Leads: Alexander Shenkin, Ph.D. (PI), Amy Wolkowinsky (Program Director)
• Technology: Glasswing is a modular autonomy and sensing stack for small UAS, enabling safe, intelligent flight in dense forest understories and GPS-denied environments. The system fuses LiDAR and depth sensing with formal safety controls, allowing autonomous 3D mapping for wildfire management, carbon monitoring, and defense ISR/SAR missions. Glasswing’s architecture supports rapid deployment, robust navigation, and ecology-grade data collection, with validation planned through simulation, benchtop, and field testing.

5. Morphable Multicopter UAS (MMU) for Resilient Operations

• University: University of Arizona
• Project Lead: Hossein Rastgoftar, Ph.D.
• Technology: The MMU project introduces a morphable multicopter UAS capable of vertical and short takeoff/landing, aggressive deformation, and distributed payload transport. Its innovative design leverages powered and unpowered cells connected via morphable joints, enabling precise localization, robust maneuverability, and scalable payload capacity. The MMU’s neural network-based control architecture supports resilient operation in cluttered, contested environments, with applications in defense logistics, search and rescue, and advanced propulsion systems.

6. High-Efficiency Multi-Drone Charging System for Extended Mission Endurance

• University: Arizona State University
• Project Lead: Ayan Mallik, Ph.D. (PI); Connor Reece (Technical Lead)
• Technology: This project develops a >95% efficient, scalable wireless charging system for drone fleets, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple drones with varying battery specifications. The system uses inductive power transfer (IPT) and modular, multi-phase charging circuits to reduce costs and energy losses, supporting both military and commercial applications. Key use cases include tactical ISR, base security, emergency response, agriculture, and urban air mobility. The team aims to advance the technology from TRL 2 to TRL 4 with a hardware prototype and plans commercialization through ASU spinoff Maxsim LLC.

7. Distributed Hybrid Fiber Sensing with Remote Power Delivery and Communications

• University: University of Arizona
• Project Leads: Mehmetcan Akbulut, Ph.D. (PI); Angela Marusiak, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
• Technology: This project introduces a novel distributed fiber sensing architecture that integrates acoustic, temperature, strain, and seismic sensing with remote power delivery and two-way optical communications over a single fiber optic cable. Designed for hard-to-access environments (e.g., lunar/planetary surfaces, volcanoes, deserts, deep ocean), the system reduces servicing needs and enhances data resolution. The approach leverages AI/ML for event detection and enables efficient power delivery with minimal loss and no EMI. Applications span defense (battlefield, border security), planetary science, commercial perimeter monitoring, and aerospace. The team will build and validate a lab prototype, advancing the technology toward TRL 4.

8. Distributed RF-Based Positioning, Navigation, Timing & Unattributable Radar

• University: Arizona State University
• Project Lead: Saeed Zeinolabedinzadeh, Ph.D.
• Technology: This project develops a distributed RF-based PNT system using low-SWaP radio nodes for centimeter-level localization and picosecond timing—two orders of magnitude more precise than GPS. The system operates reliably in GPS-denied or contested environments (indoor, underground, adverse weather) and enables unattributable radar functionality for covert operations. Applications include military navigation, electronic warfare resilience, emergency responder localization, autonomous vehicle coordination, and smart infrastructure. The technology is validated at TRL 3, with plans to advance to TRL 4 and pursue commercialization with partners like Honeywell Aerospace.

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, [email protected]

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The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.