RESEARCH
— at San Diego Institute of Technology
Shaping the Future Through Innovation
Research at SDIT is built on a simple idea: the best breakthroughs happen where disciplines collide. Our work spans engineering, design, systems, and creative intelligence—pushing boundaries not just to advance technology, but to improve human life and culture.
Our Research Pillars
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Defense Engineering & Unmanned Systems (DEUS)
Developing sovereign drone, chip, and spectrum technologies that ensure resilience and security in a rapidly changing world.
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Creative Intelligence & Design Labs
Exploring the intersection of art, music, film, and technology as tools for shaping culture and human connection.
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Systems & Society
Studying how technology, education, and governance intersect—and building new models that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.
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The Wild Card Lab
A space for radical experimentation. From unconventional prototypes to speculative design, the Wild Card Lab gives researchers freedom to explore big questions without constraint.
Current & Emerging Projects
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Open-Source Drone Detection – Using commercial SDR hardware/software to monitor the spectrum and identify threats.
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Sovereign Chips & RF Systems – Designing domestic alternatives to foreign-made components.
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Counter Signals – A film + research project exploring cultural artifacts that carry timeless meaning in a digital age.
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Mental Models Lab – Creating tools and frameworks for better thinking, decision-making, and creativity.
Publications & Reports
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Our research blends technical rigor with creative exploration. Recent and upcoming works include:
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Open Hardware for Spectrum Sensing: Building Accessible SDR Tools
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The Post-Industrial Renaissance: Education, Technology, and Creativity in the Age of AI
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Design Futures: How Art and Engineering Shape Culture Together
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Mental Models for Makers: Cognitive Tools for Innovation and Creativity
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Creative Intelligence: A Framework for Blending STEM and the Arts
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Get Involved
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Researchers → Propose a project or join an existing lab.
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Students → Contribute to ongoing work through pilot programs and workshops.
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Partners → Collaborate with SDIT to fund or support research that matters.
Our Ethos
We believe research should serve both the artist, the engineer and the community. At SDIT, discovery isn’t siloed—it’s shared, open, and driven by purpose.