Timeline of SRI International Innovations: 1990s

Tremendous advances in science, from cloning to new therapeutics for deadly diseases, began redefining the future. Ever more computing power could fit on a chip, and consumers responded with an insatiable appetite for power and performance. Cars became more electronics than steel, and the manufacturing economy shifted to services and information. The Internet dramatically changed the way people gather information, socialize, and conduct commerce. 

SRI was dubbed "Spin-Off City", an innovation engine that creates businesses to move breakthrough technologies into the marketplace. SRI and its subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, have formed dozens of new ventures.  

GROUND- AND FOLIAGE-PENETRATING RADAR: SRI's world-leading penetrating radar technologies are used to map terrain around the globe to find unexploded ordnance and other concealed items of interest.
				OPEN AGENT ARCHITECTURE: SRI developed OAA® software architecture, which is designed with intelligent "agents" that track human interactions and work processes to streamline electronic and computer interchange.
DRY-POWDER DRUGS: In the mid-1990s, SRI designed a proprietary technology to formulate dry-powder protein and peptide pharmaceuticals for aerosol delivery to the lungs.
				NEXT-GENERATION HEART VALVE: SRI patented a bio-engineered, tissue-based heart valve that offers improved durability over conventional products, is self-repairing, and eliminates the need for surgery or medication.
RAPID PROTOTYPING: SRI developed a method for computer-controlled fabrication of complex ceramic and metallic components in real time without tooling.
				TELEROBOTIC SURGERY: SRI's novel approach to minimally invasive surgery led to the first U.S. FDA-approved telerobotic surgical system. Intuitive Surgical, Inc., created in 1995, licensed the technology and is now the market leader in surgical robotics. Throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia, surgeons use the technology to help patients recover faster, with less pain and fewer complications.
TWINS AND HEALTH: SRI research on twins confirmed a link between genetics and nicotine and alcohol addictions, and also has shown a link between cardiovascular risk factors and brain function in old age.
				EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE: SRI's award-winning software for teaching probability and statistics, "Major Munchy," has been used by tens of thousands of middle school students.
BIO-AGENT DETECTION: SRI's technology uses upconverting phosphor particles for rapid, sensitive identification of biological molecules, with applications in biological warfare detection, disease diagnostics, detection of drugs of abuse, and environmental monitoring.
				EASY-CLEAN OVEN SURFACE: In 1994, SRI used its knowledge of surface technologies to create a new, nonstick oven surface for a major appliance manufacturer.
HARDENED LUGGAGE CONTAINER: The SRI Poulter Laboratory's novel application of explosive-containing, high-performance polymers in a flexible "blanket" around a plane's luggage container can mitigate damage from a bomb blast.
				INTERNET ACCELERATION: SRI patented and licensed a method for halving Web site download time by intelligently avoiding congestion for all types of Internet traffic.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: SRI developed a novel solid polymer electrolyte important to the scale-up of lithium-ion batteries for products such as power tools, electric vehicles, and portable electronics.
				CONCRETE REHABILITATION: SRI's method for electrochemical injection of a novel inhibitor into concrete can prevent corrosion of embedded reinforcing parts.
TIRAPAZAMINE: SRI discovered this member of an exciting new class of drugs known as hypoxic cytotoxins for the treatment of several different cancers; when combined with standard anticancer therapy, it has been shown to be highly effective in experimental models.
				NETWORK INTRUSION DETECTION: SRI's patented, software-based intrusion detection solution, Event Monitoring Enabling Responses to Anomalous Live Disturbances (EMERALD®), uses lightweight sensors distributed over a network or series of networks for real-time detection of cyberattack activity.
ENCLAVES: In 1994-1995, SRI created one of the first means of establishing private links between arbitrary points on the Internet, today known as virtual private networks (VPNs).
				SENSORTAGS: SRI developed wireless devices (PDF) that integrate radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs) with sensors for evaluation of a structure's conditions, such as temperatures underneath the thermal protection system on the U.S. Space Shuttle.
NOVEL CHEMICAL REACTOR: SRI's patented design reduces waste from high-heat-producing reactions by a factor of 20 over conventional technologies.
.				INCON® and ReDDE™: SRI's command and control system, developed for the U.S. military, combines intelligence and planning tools to allow field commanders to assess situations in real time, plot courses of action, and evaluate response effectiveness. SRI's Reliable Data Distribution Engine enables a wired-like experience even under unreliable connectivity and operability conditions
INTEGRATED GPS RADIO SYSTEM (IGRS): SRI's advanced personnel and vehicle tracking system provides complete "ground truth" situational awareness, addressing military and homeland defense needs for improved training, safety monitoring, and command and control.
				PGA: Over a 10-year period, SRI partnered with the Professional Golfers' Association to create a new education system for its 30,000 members.
MAUDE: SRI's declarative software language, based on rewriting logic and built on order-sorted algebra, is now among the fastest equational rewriting systems in its class.
				SPEECH RECOGNITION: SRI's natural language speech recognition software was the first to be deployed by a major corporation when Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. used it for over-the-phone stock quotes in 1996. Customers of SRI spin-off Nuance Communications use it for travel reservations, product ordering, banking, and more.
ASSISTED HYDROTHERMAL OXIDATION: SRI patented this environmentally safe, cost-effective method for disposal of hazardous materials such as wastewater, chlorinated wastes, chemical weapons, and explosives. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has licensed the technology to destroy harmful PCBs safely and completely.
				AMMONIUM DINITRAMIDE: SRI patented this environmentally safe compound with applications as varied as rocket propellant, airbag deployment, and transport of neurologically active drugs across the blood–brain barrier.
LETTER SORTING SYSTEM: SRI's advanced address recognition system was deployed for automated letter sorting in 1997 by the U.S. Postal Service. SRI has developed advanced technologies for the USPS since the 1970s.
				PACKETHOP™: SRI's revolutionary peer-to-peer wireless technology creates scalable ad hoc networks for ubiquitous mobile broadband access—without infrastructure. Through PacketHop, Inc. SRI is bringing the technology to market.
REPEATABLE EARTH SHAKING BY CONTROLLED UNDERGROUND EXPANSION (RESCUE): SRI designed a system that models strong motions, such as those in earthquakes, for response testing of multistory buildings, nuclear reactor structures, highway overpasses, and buried pipelines.
				FORMAL VERIFICATION: SRI's state-of-the-art formal verification tool, PVS, includes an extremely expressive specification language and a high-performance mechanical theorem prover. It provides rigorous assurance of correctness for mission-critical software systems. Today, PVS is one of the most widely used formal software creation programs in the world.
ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER "ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE": SRI's patented, rubbery polymers powerfully contract and expand when subjected to electricity, resulting in smaller, quieter, and more efficient products. SRI spun off Artificial Muscle, Inc. in 2004 to bring the technology to the marketplace.
.				DYNASPEAK® and EDUSPEAK®: SRI's speech recognition engines are used in mobile devices and in interactive language education, reading development, and corporate training multimedia programs to enable advanced, differentiated speech solutions for a range of industries and military applications
TERRAVISION®: SRI's terrain visualization system for Web browsers offers massive quantities of georeferenced data—satellite imagery, topography, three-dimensional building models, and weather simulations.
				TEACHER COLLABORATION: SRI's TAPPED IN® learning environment, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is a virtual meeting place for K-12 educators. More than 16,000 teachers and others use it to take online courses, collaborate, and participate in events.
SMART PEBBLES: SRI's wireless microsensors can be embedded in bridges and other structures to continuously monitor their structural integrity, thereby enhancing safety and extending a structure's life.
EMERALD, InCON, ReDDE, PACKETHOP, DynaSpeak, EduSpeak, TerraVision, TAPPED IN, and Open Agent Architecture are either trademarks or registered trademarks of SRI International. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.