AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

12/01/2023

A future quantum network may become less of a stretch thanks to researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago and Cambridge University.

12/01/2023

Looking to build research capacity? The FY25 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program is for you! DURIP is open to all US institutions of higher education with degree granting programs in STEM and we're accepting proposals until February 16, 2024.

Follow this link to the FOA and submit your proposal: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/350951

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) U.S. Department of Defense Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

11/30/2023

There's still time to apply for the AFRL/AFOSR International Office (AFRL/AFOSR/IO)'s South American Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) seeks to hire two International Program Officers to manage leads and transition programs across the broad disciplines of material science, chemistry, biology, physics, space, and/or related scientific and engineering sub-disciplines. This position closes on December 5, 2023. To learn more and apply, visit: https://airforcestem.recsolu.com/jobs/CmkWzuBxJpVorDDbb1AWjQ?job_board_id=g193rQ-SUdupijEbTiPUvw

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL United States Air Force United States Space Force Air Force Materiel Command

11/29/2023

TONIGHT.....learn how YOUR rural Montana community can host a Geospatial Skills Camp for teens this summer. This opportunity will be fully funded, thanks to support from AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, including training, STEM equipment, meals, transportation, etc.

We are hosting an informational webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30pm so you can learn more about the program and the application process.

Learn more about this program and get the Webinar log-in link at http://www.montana.edu/smrc/geo-skills.html

MSU-Bozeman Department of Education College of Education, Health and Human Development-Montana State University

11/29/2023

"Vortices in an exfoliated superconductor" submitted by Tatiana Webb, Columbia University, from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase. This research is supported by AFRL/AFOSR PO: Dr. Jiwei Lu (Condensed Matter Physics).

"Magnetic force microscopy image of vortices in a 120 nm thick flake of BSCCO, a high temperature superconductor that can be exfoliated down to nanometer thicknesses. Collaborators: Tatiana A. Webb, Giancarlo S. S. G. Pereira, Jikai Xu, Brian S. Y. Kim, Dmitri N. Basov. Abhay N. Pasupathy"

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/28/2023

Research out of the University of Virginia could illuminate the way for quantum computers to be made entirely on light. Laser-powered quantum computers require the ability to accurately count the number of photons and currently, they can count 10 but the system designed at Jefferson Lab can accurately resolve 100 photons in a few microseconds. This could also pave the way for a "cubic phase gate" which could enable more reliable calculations by quantum computers.

This research was funded by the AFRL/AFOSR Atomic and Molecular Physics program, managed by Dr. Grace Metcalfe. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL U.S. Department of Energy National Science Foundation (NSF) National Academies The City University of New York

A new system for detecting photons in laser-powered quantum computers brings these systems closer to reality.

11/28/2023

We can't wait for Wednesday night, when we will host an online Webinar to share information about our new project, Geospatial Skills Camps for Rural Montana Youth. Learn how YOU can host a summer camp this June in YOUR Montana community, thanks to support from AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30pm

Learn more about the program and get the Webinar link at http://www.montana.edu/smrc/geo-skills.html

Please share this with Montana organizations that serve rural youth!
Montana Afterschool Alliance Montana 4-H

11/27/2023

AI is making an impact on all of our lives, and science is not immune to it either. Scientific discoveries can span over many decades and thousands of papers, and connections between those many studies may be missed by humans, but what if AI could help make those connections?

"Why is it that the paper that was published in 2012 should have the definite answer to the question? That should never be the case." - Yolanda Gil, University of Southern California

If it works, AI could make a huge impact on science by continuously reanalyzing data, and updating the results on diseases or environmental change. This research is funded by the AFLR/AFOSR Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program, managed by Dr. Tristan Nguyen. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL University of Washington NPR

New artificial intelligence tools are being rapidly developed across the sciences. They may not be able to solve every problem, but in some cases, they're shortening the time to new breakthroughs.

11/27/2023

In just TWO DAYS.....learn how YOUR rural Montana community can host a Geospatial Skills Camp for teens this summer. This opportunity will be fully funded, thanks to support from AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research , including training, STEM equipment, meals, transportation, etc.

We are hosting an informational webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30pm so you can learn more about the program and the application process.

Learn more about this program and get the Webinar log-in link at http://www.montana.edu/smrc/geo-skills.html

MSU-Bozeman Department of Education College of Education, Health and Human Development-Montana State University

11/27/2023

Are you a small business interested in moving your innovation to the next level and attending the SBIR/STTR Fall Innovation Conference at the Ga***rd Convention Center, National Harbor, MD? If so, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear from Phase III experts on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 1-2pm in the Woodrow Wilson Ballroom B.

11/27/2023

Don’t miss this Blue Cyber Boot Camp, “Take Action with Email Protection Strategies!” Keynote from Veteran-Owned Business Leadership! On Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 12-3 pm ET, join leading experts to learn how to keep your small business safe and methods/resources to manage a key risk to your email cybersecurity. Register at sbir.gov/events

11/27/2023

Learn everything you can now to become an incredible leader in the future!

In his feature episode on our Lab Life podcast, Dr. Matthew Dickerson - along with his colleague Dr. Lisa Rueschhoff - discusses the power of polymers, high-temperature ceramics and the impact materials research has on our everyday lives.
Comment "CONDUCTOR" for a link to the episode!
You can listen on Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher or DVIDS.

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11/27/2023

11/26/2023

"Microscale features of decomposed binder in heat shield materials" submitted by Savio Poovathingal, University of Kentucky, from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase. This research is supported by AFRL/AFOSR PO: Dr. Ed Lee (High-Speed Aerodynamics).

"What happens when you take a rubbery binder material that is used to bond heat shield materials and heat it to relevant flight temperatures? A complex maze! Collaborators: Luis Chacon"

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/25/2023

Looking to keep Airmen warm in cold environments, AFRL partnered with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Cornell University, Ohio-based contractor, UES, An Eqlipse Company and the Palmer Muskox Farm in Palmer, Alaska, to explore the use of synthetic muskox wool keratin fibers in textiles for military-grade uniforms.🐂

Learn more about this "musk-read" story below.

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11/24/2023

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for great science that benefits the future United States Air Force and United States Space Force.

Thank you for following AFRL/AFOSR and ! Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

11/22/2023

Join us in congratulating AFRL's executive director, Timothy Sakulich on being chosen by President Joe Biden to receive the 2023 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award! 👏👏👏

Learn more about one of the most prestigious awards a federal civilian can receive and why Mr. Sakulich is more than deserving of it below:

https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3595219/president-biden-names-afrl-executive-director-as-presidential-rank-award-recipi/

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11/22/2023

"Surface plastic flow in polishing of rough surfaces" submitted by Ashif Iquebal, Arizona State University, from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase.

"Electron microscopy of the surface asperities enabled us to capture key phenomenological details of the polishing process. Based on these observations, we subdivide the polishing process into four stages, as discussed in the following. These stages may exist simultaneously depending upon the characteristics of asperity-abrasive interaction, e.g., contact area, asperity height, etc. Polishing begins with the interaction between the abrasive particles and the asperities, initially spherical, as shown in Fig. 1(a). At this stage, material removal could be observed macroscopically. However, the electron microscopic investigation shows that in addition to the material removal, thin layers of material begin to stack on the asperity sides. Figure 1(b,c) shows typical asperity structures after 90 s of polishing.

Severe shear of the asperity surface and accumulation of the material towards asperity edges (see arrow) is evident from Fig. 1(c). This flow pattern is reminiscent of plastic sliding between surfaces oriented at shallow angles, such as in tribological contacts or ‘machining’ under highly negative rake angles17,18. The sheared surface material then flows to the lateral sides of the asperity as thin layers, usually in the range of 1–10 μm. Interestingly, the flow is quite symmetric around the periphery of the sheared surface, with the deposited material layer showing a molten-like appearance. The sliding direction between the asperity and abrasive particle can be inferred from the sliding marks in Fig. 1(c). This omnidirectional flow at the surface, coupled with the observation of rheological flow features at the asperity edges (Fig. 1(c)), suggests the viscous behavior of the surface plastic flow in polishing. The electron microscopic investigation of the subsequent polishing stages provides further evidence of the surface flow theory in that the surface smoothening is mediated by material redistribution more so than material removal. Figure 1(d,e) show the progression of the plastic flow at the asperity surface on continued polishing (beyond 90 s). This forms the second stage of the polishing process. The repeated shearing at the asperity surface upon encountering a sliding abrasive result in the stacking of multiple thin layers on the lateral sides of the asperity (see at arrow). In effect, this lateral flow of material results in a radial increase in the flattened area of the asperity. Collaborators: Ashif S. Iquebal, Dinakar Sagapuram & Satish T. S. Bukkapatnam"

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/21/2023

Chemists at Rice University have recovered 98% of metal recovery yield from a mix of batteries by using their signature technique, which could mean big things for the recycling of batteries! ♻ 🔋♨

“Battery recycling is a very big deal, especially now. Batteries in electric vehicles last about 10 years, and many of those are coming due now, because it’s been about 10 years that we’ve been using them.” - Professor James Tour, Rice University Chemistry Department

This research is supported by the AFRL/AFOSR Organic Materials Chemistry program, managed by Dr. Kenneth Caster. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) U.S. Department of Energy The Welch Foundation

A battery recycling process developed by Rice scientists can retrieve valuable metals from mixed cathode and anode waste with a yield exceeding 98% in less time than normal using low-concentration acid, reducing both the cost and negative environmental impact.

11/21/2023

Celebrating : Honoring Robin Wall Kimmerer's Scientific Legacy!

This week, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Robin Wall Kimmerer, who was awarded the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2022. This prestigious fellowship recognizes individuals with exceptional originality and dedication in their respective fields.

"I'm deeply honored by this recognition as a MacArthur Fellow. I'm so grateful for the privilege of doing work that I love and for the people who have supported me along the way. This feels like an affirmation of the important contributions of generations of indigenous knowledge holders to how we care for the Earth." - Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer brings her cultural knowledge and scientific expertise to her research and writing. She collaborates with tribal partners on projects related to the ecology and restoration of plants that hold cultural significance for Native peoples. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL SUNY - The State University of New York

Plant Ecologist, Educator, and Writer Robin Wall Kimmerer articulates a vision of environmental stewardship informed by traditional ecological knowledge and ...

11/20/2023

AFRL/AFOSR Civic Leader Spotlight: Ryan "Mike" Daza, Capitol City Robotics

Daza is the executive director of Capitol City Robotics, which provides STEM opportunities to the underrepresented youth of Washington, D.C., and is one of 13 people chosen to be part of the new Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Civic Leader program. His vision of the future is an environment where people of all ethnicities and genders work together to make STEM a safe and productive place to work. He and Capitol City Robotics empower today's young minds to become tomorrow's bright future.

Civic leaders are invaluable members of AFRL, championing our vision and priorities, while providing insight to building diverse and engaging communities. They are chosen based on their outstanding character, integrity and patriotism, and have deep interest in military affairs and are leaders in local/regional community affairs. earn more about this program, here: https://afresearchlab.com/lab-life/civic-leader-program/

11/20/2023

What better way to motivate ourselves than by lifting up those around us? When our peers succeed, we succeed.

In his feature episode on our Lab Life podcast, Mr. Tim Sakulich talks about his role as an executive director, his favorite crime fiction stories and the impact of classical music!

Comment "PODCAST" for a link to the episode!
You can listen on Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher or DVIDS.

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11/19/2023

"Laminar separation bubble dynamics over an airfoil" submitted by Unnikrishnan (Unni) Sasidharan Nair, Florida State University, from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase. This research is supported by AFRL/AFOSR PO: Dr. Gregg Abate (Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows).

"Laminar separation bubbles (LSB) form over the leading edge of airfoils at high angles of attack. LSB behavior including growth, collapse, and unsteadiness, are very unpredictable at elevated vehicle speeds, resulting in loss of airfoil performance. The visualization captures an instant where the LSB on a NACA0012 airfoil ruptures and results in a turbulent flow over the airfoil. The airfoil surface patterns highlight the drag-inducing zones over the wing, and the background shows the noise field generated from the airfoil trailing edge."

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/17/2023

There are only a few days left to apply for the FY23 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) FOAs!

DEPSCoR aims to improve the research capabilities at institutions of higher education in eligible States/Territories to perform competitive basic research in science and engineering that is relevant to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mission and reflects national security priorities.

DEPSCoR FOAs on Grants.gov:

Research Collaboration: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346651
Capacity Building: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346644

The original closing date for applications is November 20, 2023. United States Air Force United States Space Force Air Force Materiel Command Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL USAGov

11/17/2023

Congratulations to four awardees at Purdue University for receiving a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) award for their projects! 👏 These research collaborations are supported by the AFRL/AFOSR Dynamical Systems and Control Theory, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Optoelectronics and Photonics, and the Mathematical Optimization programs.

DEPSCoR is a capacity-building program designed to strengthen the basic research infrastructure at institutions of higher education in underutilized states/territories. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Four Purdue University projects will share $2.4 million as recipients of the U.S. Defense Department’s DEPSCoR (Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)…

11/16/2023

Celebrating : Honoring Fred Begay's Scientific Legacy!

This week, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions of Fred Begay, also known as Clever Fox. He was a pioneering Native American scientist who made an unforgettable impact on the field of science. As a descendant of the Navajo tribe, Begay was passionate about advancing scientific knowledge, especially in the concepts of radiation and lasers. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from The University of New Mexico - UNM, becoming the first Navajo to do so. He was fascinated by physics because he found similarities between modern science and the religious and medical beliefs of the Navajo. After receiving his doctorate, he worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory researching thermonuclear fusion and worked on NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's high-energy gamma-ray project. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of science, Begay received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 1994. He also held teaching fellowships at Stanford University and the University of Maryland.

We're proud to honor Fred Begay's remarkable journey, acknowledging the invaluable contributions he made to science. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

11/16/2023

The AFRL/AFOSR International Office (AFRL/AFOSR/IO)'s South American Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) seeks to hire two International Program Officers to manage leads and transition programs across the broad disciplines of material science, chemistry, biology, physics, space, and/or related scientific and engineering sub-disciplines. This position closes on December 5, 2023. To learn more and apply, visit: https://airforcestem.recsolu.com/jobs/CmkWzuBxJpVorDDbb1AWjQ?job_board_id=g193rQ-SUdupijEbTiPUvw

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL United States Air Force United States Space Force Air Force Materiel Command

11/15/2023

Congratulations to Dr. Trung Le and his research team at Monash University for receiving the KDD2023 Best Student Research Paper at this year's annual ACM - Association for Computing Machinery SIGKDD Conference. 👏 His research is funded, in part, by the AFRL/AFOSR International Science and Technology program, managed by Dr. Akira Namatame. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Australian Research Council

11/15/2023

Today was a really good day :-)

We are excited to host these camps with support from AFOSR, Air Force Office of Scientific Research and support teens in rural Montana communities!

Thanks Montana State University News Service and Anne Cantrell for this great article.

https://www.montana.edu/news/23292/montana-state-receives-grant-to-host-geospatial-skills-camp-for-high-schoolers-in-five-rural-montana-communities

11/15/2023

"SCALE DIVISION" submitted by Michael Graham, University of Wisconsin-Madison, from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase.

"This image was inspired by the iconic cover art of the album "Unknown Pleasures" by the band Joy Division. The data on the original album cover was from Jocelyn Bell Burnell's discovery of pulsars. The data we show here is a little more down-to-earth -- it comes from velocity measurements from highly turbulent flow in a pipe, as well as the "scale division" of those measurements into contributions from turbulent eddies of different sizes. Remarkably, the eddies look the same, on average, at all scales, Most flows in nature (e.g. the atmosphere) and technology (e.g. in a jet engine) are turbulent, and the self-similarity revealed by the analysis underlying this image is important in understanding and developing mathematical models of turbulent flow. Contributors: Alex Guo, Daniel Floryan, Michael Graham"

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/14/2023

What's faster than the speed of sound? Hint... it's not Superman. New research out of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory shows that dislocations, or defects, can move faster than the speed of sound in a diamond.

“Until now, no one has been able to directly measure how fast these dislocations spread through materials" - Professor Leora Dresselhaus-Marais, Stanford School of Engineering

This research is supported by the AFRL/AFOSR Dynamic Materials and Interactions program, managed by Dr. Derek Barbee. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL

11/14/2023

If you're attending Neuroscience 2023, you still have time to visit Booth 3330. Drs. Hal Greenwald and Nandini Iyer, AFRL/AFOSR program officers, are available to talk about funding for their programs: Cognitive and Computational and Life Science and Human Performance programs, respectively, through the BAA. We have enjoyed meeting all the attendees thus far and are looking forward to the rest of the event! If you want to learn more about this event, please visit https://afresearchlab.com/events/neuroscience-2023/

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Society for Neuroscience

11/13/2023

An image depicting airflow over an airplane's wing is not new, but depicting electric currents in the same manner is. Researchers at UC Riverside have designed a new device that can image streamlines of electric current.

“If you know how the electrons are flowing you can then know how to prevent them causing deleterious effects, such as heating up the circuit. With our technique, you can now assess exactly where and how the electrons are flowing, giving us a powerful tool to visualize, characterize, and measure charge flow in optoelectronic devices.” - Professor Nathanial Gabor, Physics and Astronomy Department, University of California Riverside

This research is funded, in part, by the AFRL/AFOSR Human Performance and Biosystems program, managed by Dr. Patrick Bradshaw. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Energy

11/13/2023

Columbia University researchers found a diamond in the rough when testing the resolution of a microscope with a material that shouldn't have had any conductivity and instead found a material with the fastest conductivity they'd ever seen!

“This is the only material that anyone has seen sustained room-temperature ballistic exciton transport in. But we can now start to predict what other materials might be capable of this behavior that we just haven’t considered before. There is a whole family of superatomic and other 2D semiconductor materials out there with properties favorable for acoustic polaron formation.” - Professor Milan Delor, Columbia Chemistry

This research was/is supported, in part, by the AFRL/AFOSR Molecular Dynamics and Theoretical Chemistry program, managed by Dr. Michael Berman. Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL National Science Foundation (NSF) U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

11/12/2023

"Tri Connector Quilt Square Prototype B" submitted by Rose Benson, The University of the Arts , from our 2023 Art of Science Showcase.

"The biomedical industry favors single-use supplies in impervious packaging, many of which are not recyclable or recycled, contributing to their long-term residency in landfills and natural environments across the country and beyond. A collection of clean, biomedical packaging and plastic waste, stitched and threaded into abstract patterns, offers a means to educate all on the responsibility of the biomedical profession to commit to environmental stewardship today. Using basic printmaking and sewing techniques, packaging and plastics morph into intricate patterns reflective of the complexities facing the world as we combat climate change together. Works of art that utilize non-traditional materials in a constructive and atypical way, create opportunities for art and artistic practice to influence and educate all through education, exhibition and experiential learning. This process, in turn, ensures resilience and optimal health for our nation, to include the Air Force and Space Force, in response to the urgent demands presented by climate change today. Collaborators: Rose Inez Benson, MFA, MSN, PhD"

Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL | | | | | |

11/10/2023

Breaking Down the BAA | Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence

Research proposals are sought for the AFRL/AFOSR Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence program, managed by Dr. Hal Greenwald. The research supports innovative basic research on the fundamental principles and methodologies needed to enable intelligent machine behavior, particularly in support of mixed-initiative (i.e., human-machine teaming) systems. The overall vision of this program is that future computational systems will achieve high levels of performance, adaptation, flexibility, self-repair, and other forms of intelligent behavior in the complex, uncertain, adversarial, and highly dynamic environments faced by the United States Air Force and United States Space Force.

You can speak directly to Dr. Hal Greenwald at booth 3330 beginning on November 12, 2023, if you're attending Neuroscience 2023! Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Society for Neuroscience

11/09/2023

Join us at 2 p.m. ET, for the next AFRL/AFOSR Chief Scientist Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Professor Howard Milchberg, University of Maryland. His talk, “Intense femtosecond pulse propagation and structured light,” will discuss the journey of the study of intense femtosecond laser pulse propagation in the atmosphere, which led to a new form of electromagnetic orbital angular momentum.

To register and learn more about Professor Milchberg and his talk, visit: https://community.apan.org/wg/afosr/w/researchareas/39049/chief-scientist-distinguished-lecture-series-featuring-professor-howard-milchberg/

Milchberg's research is supported by the AFRL/AFOSR Ultrashort Pulse Laser-Matter Interactions program, managed by Dr. Andrew Stickrath. United States Air Force United States Space Force Air Force Materiel Command Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL