Diagnostics
Diagnostics covers point-of-care molecular and immunoassays, biosensors, portable imaging, and physiologic monitors that rapidly detect infection, hemorrhage, coagulopathy and TBI biomarkers. Field‑deployable tests and decision‑support shorten time-to-treatment, improve triage, and enable prolonged and distributed care in austere military environments.
Technical Challenges
Delivering rapid, actionable results in minutes rather than hours at point of injury or in prolonged-field-care scenarios.
Ruggedization: devices must tolerate shock, temperature extremes, dust, vibration, and limited power.
High diagnostic accuracy for polymicrobial infections, biofilms, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in resource-limited settings.
Identifying validated biomarkers for early TBI, occult hemorrhage and evolving coagulopathy to guide resuscitation and evacuation.
Emerging Opportunities
Multiplex, low-power assays that simultaneously detect pathogens, resistance markers, and host-response biomarkers.
Continuous, wearable physiologic and biochemical monitoring with robust connectivity options for austere networks.
Portable, rapid tests validated for blast/polytrauma-related biomarkers (TBI, inflammation, endothelial injury).
Integrated decision-support that fuses diagnostic outputs with clinical algorithms for triage, transfusion, and evacuation prioritization.
Current and Emerging Technologies in Diagnostics
Point-of-care molecular assays
Isothermal amplification and portable PCR enable rapid pathogen ID and AMR marker detection at the point of injury; cartridge-based workflows reduce operator burden and contamination risk.
Biosensors and wearables
Electrochemical and optical biosensors measure metabolites, cytokines, lactate and biomarkers continuously; wearable patches and minimally invasive sensors support prolonged monitoring in the field.
Microfluidics and lab-on-chip
Integrated microfluidic platforms enable multiplexed sample prep, cell separation, and rapid immunoassays with minimal reagent volumes—key for austere logistics and small-sample trauma diagnostics.
Portable imaging and point-of-care ultrasound
Handheld ultrasound, portable digital radiography, and emerging low-field MRI aid rapid hemorrhage detection, chest/abdominal injury assessment, and triage decisions in forward environments.
Viscoelastic and coagulation diagnostics
Portable TEG/ROTEM and rapid assays for fibrinogen and platelet function guide transfusion, hemostatic resuscitation, and damage-control strategies for polytrauma.
Digital diagnostics and AI-driven decision support
Machine learning fuses biosensor, physiologic, and imaging data to prioritize casualties, predict deterioration, and recommend resource-limited treatment pathways compatible with DoD protocols.
Importance to Military Medicine
Enable rapid lifesaving interventions
Timely ID of bleeding, sepsis, or airway compromise shortens time-to-treatment and increases survival in combat casualties.
Support prolonged and distributed care
Field-ready diagnostics enable sustained resuscitation and monitoring when evacuation is delayed or impossible.
Preserve force readiness and outbreak response
Rapid infectious disease detection and surveillance reduce spread, maintain unit effectiveness, and inform public health actions during outbreaks.
Optimize resource allocation and evacuation
Accurate diagnostics guide triage, transfusion, and surgical decisions—maximizing limited supplies and evacuation priorities under combat conditions.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Accelerates transition of validated diagnostics from lab to field through consortium-supported prototyping, clinical validation, and DoD-relevant testing.
Supports MTEC’s broad portfolio—combat casualty care, infectious disease, and prolonged care—by integrating cross-disciplinary expertise and resources.
Emphasizes dual-use impact consistent with MTEC priorities: faster fielding for Warfighters with civilian healthcare and public‑health benefits.
Enables data-driven readiness metrics and outbreak surveillance aligned with DoD force health protection goals.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Civilian triage and emergency medicine: faster ED throughput and mass-casualty response using military-hardened POC tools.
Public health surveillance: rapid pathogen detection and AMR monitoring aid outbreak control and community health.
Remote and rural healthcare: diagnostics designed for austere logistics extend capabilities to civilian clinics and disaster zones.
Commercial innovation pathways: regulatory and manufacturing translation of rugged diagnostics benefit both military and commercial markets.
Explore MTEC Members with Diagnostics Capabilities
MTEC members—academia, industry, military labs, and clinical centers—bring strengths in assay development, rugged engineering, clinical validation, regulatory strategy, and scalable manufacturing. Members collaborate on DoD-relevant prototypes, field evaluations, and rapid transition plans. Explore member profiles to identify partners with diagnostic expertise for combat casualty care, infectious disease, and prolonged field care.
208 Members with Diagnostics capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
Volta Labs develops automated sample preparation solutions for genomic and sequencing workflows. The company's platform enables walk-away sample prep for a wide variety of sample types and is compatible across multiple NGS and long-read sequencing technologies. Their system focuses on operational efficiency, robust performance, and high-quality output for DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, and target enrichment.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
Astrapi Corporation is a leader in revolutionary communication methods, specifically through spiral-based modulation. One capability is the Astrapi Spectrum Analyzer which enables an extremely precise method to measure continuously varying signal power which includes brain waves. This innovative technology is set to transform the next generation of communications by enhancing spectral efficiency and providing new ways to combat channel impairments. Astrapi's technology supports performance advances across various communications networks, including cellular, satellite, and defense communications, among others. Important medical applications of the Astrapi Spectrum Analyzer may include: 1. brain disorder diagnostics and measurement; 2. tumor localization; 3. enhanced prosthetics; and 4. brain-computer interfaces. Astrapi is in the process of spinning out a medical company to focus specifically on the medical applications of its Spectrum Analyzer. We welcome investors and collaborators. Our business model is to license to companies already in the medical field.
Nuclera develops automated benchtop platforms and integrated systems for rapid protein expression, optimization, and purification, utilizing cell-free synthesis, digital microfluidics, and software-driven workflows. Their technology enables miniaturized and scalable protein prototyping—including challenging targets such as membrane proteins—directly at the lab bench. Nuclera serves academic and industrial researchers, focusing on reducing turnaround time for functional protein access and streamlining screening and production. The company has secured significant funding to enable broad commercialization, expanded their leadership team to support scale-up, and continues to drive advancements in drug discovery, proteomics, and experimental automation.
LumenAstra, Inc. is at the forefront of developing innovative, wearable, non-invasive sensors for accurately measuring internal body temperatures. Originating from a need identified by DARPA to protect troops from heat stress, the company collaborates with the University of Colorado's Radio Frequency Lab to commercialize a patented technology. This technology, initially used for astronomical measurements, is now being adapted to monitor critical health parameters such as brain and tumor temperatures, promising to revolutionize medical monitoring and treatment.
Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) is an employee-owned company dedicated to inventing, demonstrating, and translating technologies that address critical national needs in defense, security, healthcare, and environmental stewardship. With over 50 years of experience, PSI combines extensive research and development capabilities with a commitment to innovation and customer focus.
Aware Custom Biometric Wearables, is a leading innovator in cutting-edge in-ear technology, specializing in superior custom hearing protection solutions and biometric hearables. Our groundbreaking in-ear solutions feature enhanced hearing capabilities, continuous monitoring, and the collection of medical-grade biometric data, all designed to enhance human performance and safeguard lives. Our commitment to innovation is reflected in our meticulously crafted in-ear devices. Thanks to our patented 3D Ear Scanner technology, we provide a custom fit tailored to the unique shape of each individual's ear which optimizes the performance of sensors. Aware is transforming the ear into a dynamic platform for health and human performance by collecting medical-grade data, delivering actionable AI-driven insights, and enabling precision therapeutics within devices we wear in our everyday lives. Our technology serves a diverse range of sectors within healthcare, military, and industrial. Proudly U.S.-based, offices in Atlanta, GA and San Diego, CA. www.AwareCBW.com.
CRI Genetics, part of the Cellular Research Institute, aims to unlock complex genetic information and present it in an engaging and useful manner. Their mission is to enhance human life and advance the understanding of the human genome through consumer genetic reports and active participation in scientific research. They believe genetic analysis is the future of medicine and are committed to solving complex medical problems. The company ensures the privacy and security of customer data, offering an 8-week efficiency guarantee for delivering genetic reports.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
Vocxi Health is a diagnostic start-up focused on early disease detection through its innovative MyBreathPrint® system. This noninvasive technology allows for immediate health assessments by analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a patient's breath, aiming to revolutionize patient care and improve health outcomes.
Seek Labs is a biotechnology company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and delivering universal healthcare solutions. The company specializes in next-generation point-of-care molecular diagnostics and programmable CRISPR-based therapeutics, aiming to bridge the gap between disease outbreak and intervention. Powered by its proprietary AI discovery engine, BioSeeker™, Seek Labs is building a modular, full-stack system that enables rapid response to emerging pathogens, scalable precision treatments, and accessible diagnostics. The company is committed to global health innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, and is a proud member of Utah's BioHive life sciences ecosystem. Seek Labs' mission is to empower individuals with healthcare solutions tailored to their specific needs, revolutionizing the detection and treatment of diseases for both human and animal health.
Sonogen Medical Inc. is dedicated to researching, developing, and commercializing next-generation ultrasonic bone fracture healing technology. The company combines expertise in fluid mechanics, biophysics, sonar, and medical ultrasound to create safe and effective devices for bone healing.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to wicked problems and societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I³R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.

NIRSense
Rugged Physiological Monitoring for the Modern Warfighter: NIRSense
Under MTEC-21-10-NavyMultiTopic, NIRSense is advancing its tactical jet physiological monitoring technology for broader Navy applications. The project focuses on ruggedized, wireless physiological sensors that can provide reliable, real-time insight into warfighter health and performance in demanding operational environments.
Safi Biotherapeutics
Next-Generation Manufactured Red Blood Cells for Extended Battlefield Blood Supply: Safi Biotherapeutics
Safi Biotherapeutics is developing manufactured red blood cells (mRBCs) with extended shelf life to improve battlefield transfusion readiness and emergency trauma care.
Non-Invasive Glymphatic (GF) Monitoring and Recovery Optimization for Warfighter Cognitive Readiness
Applied Cognition is developing non-invasive glymphatic monitoring and recovery technologies to enhance warfighter cognitive readiness, resilience, and sleep recovery.
Moberg Analytics
Moberg Analytics – Advanced Brain Monitoring & Critical Care Informatic
Moberg’s platform unifies brain monitoring data for faster, precise treatment of severe brain injuries in military and civilian care.