Attch 3- TO 0002 SOO (OPSEC reviewed).pdf

FA8650-22-S-5005

Attachment 3

FRESH TO2 – Statement of Objectives Page 1

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIVE EXPERIMENTATION FOR SYSTEMS AND HUMANS (FRESH)

TASK ORDER 0002: POLYMERS AND RESPONSIVE MATERIALS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT

AND EXPLORATION

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1.0 BACKGROUND

USAF missions require sustained operations in multiple environmental conditions and for consecutive days. Material advances are needed to optimize mission success in the areas of highly flexible polymer and responsive materials. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Soft Matter Materials Branch (AFRL/RXAS) has a long-standing history of conducting research in the field of polymers and responsive materials. The ability to assess advanced materials and their structures and for the development of devices for energy storage/generation/transduction applications as well as for sensing, communication and opto-electronic applications is critical to mission success. Research includes fundamental discovery of new materials and development of prototype devices or sensors utilizing these materials.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objective of this effort is to conduct research and experimentation by leveraging materials and process competencies of soft matter and nanostructured material synthesis, processing, integration, characterization and device fabrication techniques coupled with autonomous research and design tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), additive manufacturing and automated experimentation and material optimization techniques to forward the knowledge base of materials and processes related to functional materials and their applications, as well as, novel stimuli responsive materials and devices. Material developments will also include advancing human monitoring and augmentation systems in addition to gas and molecular marker sensing platforms according to state of the art size, weight, and power specifications as well as continued validity in austere environments. This work will seek to also exploit the utilization and development to automated/autonomous research and design tools (AI, ML, topology optimization, continuous flow chemistry, inline data acquisition and processing with real-time feedback) for materials synthesis and design along with the pursuit of reservoir computing and materials for computing applications for future relevant applications. This work seeks to transition basic research principles and concepts towards applied research objectives. This effort also seeks to provide comprehensive capabilities to include the synthesis, fabrication, modeling, processing, development, characterization, and evaluation of functional and responsive materials.

3.0 TASKS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

3.1. SOFT MATTER CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND PROCESSING: Conduct research into the composition-structure relationships underlying processing and performance of new soft matter material systems and structures. This research will also include necessary characterization techniques, modeling approaches and theory necessary to accelerate the development of new polymers, composites, resins and inks for digital manufacturing (e.g. additive) in support of multifunctional coatings, films, electronics, etc.

3.2. ADAPTIVE AND RESPONSIVE MATERIALS EXPLORATION: Conduct research on the application of available and novel flexible materials and substrates for development of new and unique responsive and adaptive devices. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: dynamically-tunable resonant metamaterials for vibration and sound mitigation, functional nanomaterials for RF sensing, human performance sensing/augmentation, liquid metal circuitry and design, materials with embedded computation/logic capabilities, self-healing electronics, flexible GaN aromatic-heterocyclic molecules and

FRESH TO2 – Statement of Objectives Page 2 polymers with designed stimuli-responsiveness, liquid-crystalline characteristics, and nonlinear optical properties.

3.3. MATERIALS & PROCESSES FOR FUNCTIONAL COMPLIANT MATERIALS: Conduct research into the development of new materials and processes for flexible substrates for responsive and capabilities. Areas of research include: flexible/stretchable conductors, responsive nanomaterials, self-healing conductors, flexible RF materials, liquid metal electronics, high dexterity heating, tactile stimulation, lithium ion chemistries, and acoustic/electromagnetic materials.

3.4. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, MACHINE LEARNING AND AUTONOMOUS RESEARCH:

Research the development and optimization of new and existing computer algorithms that will incorporate artificial intelligence for machine learning of autonomous research systems for material, such as carbon nanotubes and novel organic chemical and nanomaterial synthesis. Machine learning and data science algorithms may also be developed and utilized to improve and accelerate interpretation of experimental and simulation results.

3.5. 2-DIMENSIONAL MATERIALS AND SENSOR DEVELOPMENT: Perform research on technologies and material development for next generation 2D-material based sensors and sensor platforms for real-time sensing of harmful chemicals and molecules in air and in confined spaces. This includes the development of printable and/or laser processed materials that have improved properties related to durability, and strain-resiliency. This work may include characterization of these materials through electrical, thermal and printable properties, as well as, packaging of the developed sensors into a form factor that can be prototyped for use.

3.6. ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT: Perform work toward technology maturation through the creation of prototypes, product demonstrations, and independent testing. Such advances should be partnered with industrial partners that will develop business models, identify markets, and create methods for production.

Examples of topics that will be promoted are devices for human performance monitoring, aeromedicine, ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), and materials sustainment. It is desired that the result of this effort will result in devices that are reliable and available commercially.

3.7. COMPUTATIONAL MODELING AND SIMULATION: Perform computationally-based modeling and simulation extensively to support this research work. The development of new software and algorithms, while leveraging existing models, to predict and more quickly understand material interactions, nanostructure, responsive characteristics, and other properties may be included. The development of topology optimization, feature extraction algorithms and search heuristics for the identification and optimization of mechanisms of material behavior is requested.

3.8. COLLABORATIONS: Collaborate outside AFRL/RXAS to enhance the Air Force’s commitment to materials development by introducing a fresh expertise into the highly focused research topics of this contract. These collaborations are encouraged since they will expand RXAS’ capabilities by allowing access to rare equipment or difficult testing conditions, while providing a motivated workforce. This effort will also require the coordination of technical seminars.

3.9. LABORATORY SUPPORT: The contractor will be responsible for maintenance of the on-base laboratory facilities where AFRL/RX research will be conducted, including storage and handling of laboratory samples, collection, storage, analysis, and documentation of data. The contractor will obtain supplies, software, equipment, and licenses required for the research mission in a timely manner.

Contractor will also maintain, service, repair or replace any obsolete or out dated equipment and software as needed.

4.0 MANAGEMENT

Perform program, administrative, and financial management functions during this Task Order (TO), including establishing activities and milestones; tracking performance, cost, and schedule; overseeing quality performance; planning, forecasting, and reporting funding and funding changes; and preparing

FRESH TO2 – Statement of Objectives Page 3 appropriate documentation. The contractor shall meet with the AFRL/RXAS Program Manager at least monthly to discuss the technical, schedule, and cost status.

5.0 Deliverables

Item Description

A001 Scientific and Technical Reports – Final Report (DI-MISC-80711A/T)

A002 Funds and Man-hours Expenditure Report (DI-FNCL-80331A/T)

A003 Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR) (DI-MGMT-81468/T)

A004 Status Report – Quarterly (DI-MGMT-80368A/T)

A005 Project Planning Chart (DI-MGMT-80507C/T)

A006 Presentation Material (DI-ADMIN-81373/T)

A008 System Safety Hazard Analysis Report (SSHA) (DI-SAFT-80101B/T)

A009 Software User Manual (DI-IPSC-81443)

Software: The Contractor shall develop laboratory software as required for technique development, experimentation, data collection and data analysis to address research project needs. All software developed under this task order shall be a deliverable to the Government.

Hardware: The Contractor shall develop laboratory prototype hardware in support of research projects. All hardware developed acquired under this task order shall be a deliverable to the Government.

6.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Operations Security Requirements: The contractor shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Industrial Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operations Security (OPSEC), and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program as required for this particular contract. Security measures are required to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection, exploitation of critical information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor shall ensure all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor.

Program Protection Plan: Any potential critical program information (CPI) generated as part of this effort will be reviewed to determine the need for a PPP or to be included as part of an existing PPP.

7.0 FUNDING

FY22: $1.03M

FY23: $2.58M

FY24: $2.58M

FY25: $2.38M

FY26: $1.43M

Total: $10M