DEPSCOR - FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2020-0004_Amendment 1_Published 22 MAY 2020.doc

AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

FY20 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE

COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR)

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the fiscal year 2020 (FY20) Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR). The program is sponsored and managed by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD [R&E]), awarded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The DoD plans to award FY20 DEPSCoR appropriations through this announcement.

The program statute for DEPSCoR (Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title II, §219[e][3], Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1331) states that DEPSCoR's objectives are to: (1) enhance the capabilities of institutions of higher education (IHE) in eligible States and Territories (listed below and henceforth referred to as the States/Territories) to develop, plan, and execute science and engineering (S&E) research that is relevant to the mission of the DoD and competitive under the peer-review systems used for awarding Federal research assistance; (2) increase the number of university researchers in eligible States/Territories capable of performing S&E research responsive to the needs of the DoD; and (3) increase the probability of long-term growth in the competitively awarded financial assistance that IHE in eligible States/Territories receive from the Federal Government for S&E research. Consistent with these long‑term objectives of building research infrastructure, the DoD intends to competitively make, and fund from fiscal year 2020 appropriations, multiyear awards for S&E research in areas relevant to the DoD’s mission and important to national security.

This funding opportunity aims to create basic research collaborations between a pair of researchers, namely 1) Applicant/Principal Investigator (PI), henceforth referred to as Applicant, a full-time faculty member who has never served as a PI on a prior DoD-funded award and 2) Collaborator/co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), henceforth referred to as Collaborator, an investigator who will provide mentorship to the Applicant and has served as a PI on a DoD-funded research award actively between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2020. This structure is aimed at introducing potential applicants to the DoD’s unique research challenges and its supportive research ecosystem.

Tenured or tenure-track faculty members with appointments at IHE, in the following States/Territories, are eligible to apply for DEPSCoR opportunities: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, and blue-colored words in the midst of paragraphs. The reader may “jump” to the linked section within this document by “clicking” (CTRL + CLICK, or CLICK).

SUMMARY OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

1. Federal Awarding Agency Name Air Force Office of Scientific Research

875 North Randolph Street, STE 325, Room 3112

Arlington, VA 22203

2. Funding Opportunity Title Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR)

3. Announcement Type Initial Announcement - Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

4. Funding Opportunity Number

FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2020-0004

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s)

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. Key Dates Schedule of Events

White Paper and Supporting Documentation submission on AcquTrak website (https://acqupass.noblis.org/ApplyDEPSCoR)

(required by)

Request for written feedback on your white paper submission (required by)

(Email request to: DEPSCoR-feedback@noblis.org)

Table of Contents I.

Program Description A.

OBJECTIVES

B.

Collaboration composition C.

TOPICS

II.

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A.

ADDITIONAL DEPSCoR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

III.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B.

COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C.

OTHER

1.

Employment Requirement 2.

Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer Requirements 3.

Expectation of Public Dissemination of Research Results 4.

Representation for Tax Delinquency, Felony Conviction, and Internal Confidentially Agreements 5.

Conflict of Interest

IV.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION PROCESS

A.

Online Registration via AcquTrak B.

White Paper and Supporting Documentation SUBMISSION C.

cONTENT AND FORMAT OF THE WHITE PAPER 1.

Pre-white paper Inquiries and Questions 2.

White Paper and Supporting Documentation (as a whole) 3.

Marking Requirements for Confidential Propreietary Information 4.

White Paper Package D.

FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PACKAGE

1.

Full Proposal Packages will only be accepted from collaborations invited to submit proposals 2.

Content and Form of Application Submission 3.

Component Pieces of the Application E.

INFORMATION YOU MUST SUBMIT IF SELECTED FOR POSSIBLE AWARD

F.

DUNS UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER, CAGE, AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

1.

SAM Registration Required 2.

SAM Exemption or Exceptions Not Available Under This Announcement 3.

Questions about SAM Registrations and Updates 4.

Consequences of Non-Compliance with SAM Registration Requirements G.

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

1.

Proposal Submission Deadline 2.

How Proposal Submission Time is Determined 3.

Grants.gov Tracking Number is Application Receipt 4.

Other Submission Requirements 5.

Submission Dates and Times H.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

I.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

1.

Proposal Preparation Costs 2.

Pre-award Costs V.

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A.

CRITERIA

1.

Evaluation Criteria 2.

No Further Evaluation Criteria or Criterion will be Used for Proposal Selection B.

Review Process 1.

Cost Analysis 2.

Agency Review of Risk Posed by Applicants C.

DISCLOSURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING BY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

D.

NO GUARANTEED AWARD

VI.

FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A.

WHITE PAPER SELECTION AND NONSELECTION NOTICES

1.

Electronic Notification of White Paper Selection 2.

Selection for Possible Award Does Not Authorize Work B.

AWARD NOTICES

1.

Electronic Notification of Full Proposal Selection 2.

Federal Award Document

3.

Federal Award Distribution C.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1.

Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance 2.

Cross-Cutting National Policy Requirements 3.

Acknowledgement of Research Support 4.

Disclaimer Language for Research Materials and Publications 5.

Grants - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 6.

Conditions of Award for Recipients Other Than Individuals 7.

Minimum Record Retention Requirements D.

REPORTING

1.

Monitoring and Reporting Program Performance 2.

Technical Performance Report Format 3.

Department of Defense Form 882 Report of Inventions and Sub-awards 4.

Standard Form 425 Federal Financial Report 5.

Electronic Payment Requests and Electronic Payment 6.

Property Reports 7.

Other Reports 8.

Electronic Submission of Reports

VII.

AGENCY CONTACTS

A.

TECHNICAL INQUIRIES AND QUESTIONS

B.

GENERAL INQUIRIES AND QUESTIONS

C.

PROGRAMMATIC QUESTIONS

VIII.

OTHER INFORMATION

A.

OMBUDSMAN

B.

GRANTS OFFICERS AUTHORITY

C.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

I. Program Description

A. OBJECTIVES

The aim of DEPSCoR is to improve the research capabilities at institutions of higher education (IHE) in eligible States/Territories to perform competitive basic research in science and engineering that is relevant to the DoD mission and reflect national security priorities. As defined in the DoD Financial Management Regulation:

Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A).

The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

To address the program’s aim, DEPSCoR will focus on capacity building through human and technical resources by soliciting applications in a DEPSCoR competition. DEPSCoR seeks proposals that advance knowledge in fundamental science involving bold and ambitious research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

B. Collaboration composition This funding opportunity aims to create basic research collaborations between a pair of researchers, namely 1) Applicant/Principal Investigator (PI), henceforth referred to as Applicant, a full-time faculty member who has never served as a PI on a prior DoD-funded award and 2) Collaborator/co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), henceforth referred to as Collaborator, an investigator who will provide mentorship to the Applicant and has served as a PI on a DoD-funded research award actively between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2020. This structure is aimed at introducing potential applicants to the DoD’s unique research challenges and its supportive research ecosystem.

The Applicant is permitted to submit only one DEPSCoR white paper per this FOA. Each white paper is permitted a single Applicant and a single Collaborator.

The website https://discover.dtic.mil/products-services/ is a non-comprehensive repository of government-funded scientific, technical, and engineering information for the DoD. Researchers new to DoD and Applicants are encouraged to visit the site as a starting point for identifying past and present DoD-funded researchers.

While each member of the collaboration should be in a tenure-track appointment or tenured at IHE in DEPSCoR-eligible States/Territories, you do not need to be in the same state. Likewise, the Applicant and Collaborator can have appointments at the same IHE.

Proposals should name the Applicant as the PI and their IHE as the primary institution. Awards will be issued to the IHE where the Applicant resides. It is anticipated that the Collaborator will be funded through a sub-award. The Applicant must receive greater than 50% of the funding. The relationship among participating institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment of funds including sub-awards, if any, shall be described in both the proposal text and the budget. In addition to providing technical expertise to the project, the Collaborator is strongly encouraged to provide guidance and mentorship to the Applicant in the DoD application process.

In this announcement, the term “you/your” refers to the Applicant.

C. TOPICS

The FY20 DEPSCoR competition seeks proposals addressing the topics listed below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to submitting a white paper, preferably by email to discuss the current state of the art in his/her area of interest and how your research would advance it. This information will be requested in the IV.C.4 White Paper Package.

1. Topic 1: Cognitive and Computational Neurosciences

The Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience program funds high-risk, high-potential basic research that uses experimental and computational modeling techniques from systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational/theoretical neuroscience, cognitive science, and cognitive psychology to understand the neural mechanisms responsible for perception, cognition, and behavior. The program also supports brain-inspired algorithm and hardware development provided these are useful for testing proposed neuroscience theories and/or enabling novel capabilities in computing, artificial intelligence, or autonomous systems.

Potential topics that would be of interest to the program include but are not limited to the following:

· Neural Information Representation. It is well established that neurons communicate information via action potentials (APs, “spikes”), but understanding how neurons represent information has remained a long-standing challenge. Debates continue regarding whether neurons use precise spike timing or frequency to encode information, the functions of noisy, probabilistic population codes, and whether every spike carries signal. Proposed research projects should characterize neural activity with the aim of reliably decoding neuronal information. Proposers should describe how their research, if successful, will advance our ability to test hypotheses regarding neural mechanisms and functions and/or enable greater sophistication for applications such as sensory and sensorimotor prosthetics, brain-machine interfaces, and deception detection.

· Bio-inspired Sensing. Humans and other animals often use strategies to process sensory information, recognize and locate objects, and navigate in real-world environments that outperform current man-made systems. Artificial systems featuring such strategies could augment human capabilities while enhancing or maintaining situational awareness. Proposals should describe a species’ sensory function in which the sensor, environment, and behavior align with the proposed application(s), hypotheses about the associated neural information processing mechanisms, and a research plan that culminates in a proof-of-concept demonstration.

· Brain-inspired Machine Learning. Current machine learning algorithms excel at identifying statistical features in complex data sets, yet computers lack the robustness and generalizability associated with human learning. Specifically, humans can leverage previously learned knowledge to avoid needing large training sets, transfer knowledge from one task to other related tasks or contexts to accelerate learning, continuously update their learned knowledge, and adapt to time-varying contexts and environments. The program seeks to create brain-inspired or biomimetic algorithms that advance the state of the art and have the potential for revolutionary progress on these or related research challenges.

· Brain-inspired Computing. Recent examples of commercially-developed neuromorphic hardware have focused on power consumption and density advantages over conventional hardware, but brain-inspired circuits also hold promise for novel computing architectures that can address problems that traditional von Neumann architectures cannot (or at least not within polynomial time or better). Research proposals on brain-inspired computational capabilities should describe how the research will fill gaps in computing or how it will enable novel artificial intelligence algorithms.

Innovative ideas that may not fit into these categories but are germane to the program’s general objectives are also welcomed.

Models of brain structures and functions should be biologically plausible and demonstrate consistency with the current understanding of the structure and function of the brain components being modeled. Brain-inspired algorithms or hardware need not remain entirely faithful to the biological details where other approaches are more reasonable, but neuroscience evidence should be used for benchmarking and theoretical guidance. Proposals should provide a definition of success based on specific metrics and/or one or more challenge problems.

DR. HAL S. GREENWALD, AFOSR/RTA

Email: neuroscience@us.af.mil

(703) 588-8441

2. Topic 2: Space Science The AFOSR Space Science program supports basic research on the solar-terrestrial environment extending from the Sun through Earth’s magnetosphere and radiation belts to the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. This geospace system is subject to solar radiation, particles, and eruptive events, variable interplanetary magnetic fields, and cosmic rays. Perturbations to the system can disrupt the detection and tracking of aircraft, missiles, satellites, and other targets; distort communications and navigation signals; interfere with global command, control, and surveillance operations; and negatively impact the performance and longevity of U.S. Air Force space assets.

Fundamental research focused on improving understanding of the physical processes in the geospace environment is encouraged. Particular goals are to improve operational forecasting and specification of solar activity, thermospheric neutral densities, and ionospheric irregularities and scintillations. Activities that support these goals may include validating, enhancing, or extending solar, ionospheric, or thermospheric models; investigating or applying data assimilation techniques; and developing or extending statistical or empirical models. An important aspect of the physics is understanding and represents the coupling between regions, such as between the solar corona and solar wind, between the magnetosphere and ionosphere, between the lower atmosphere and the thermosphere/ionosphere, and between the equatorial, middle latitude, and Polar Regions.

Research goals include, but are not limited to:

· The structure and dynamics of the solar interior and its role in driving solar eruptive activity;

· The mechanism(s) heating the solar corona and accelerating it outward as the solar wind;

· The triggers of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar energetic particles (SEPs), and solar flares;

· The coupling between the solar wind, the magnetosphere, and the ionosphere;

· The origin and energization of magnetospheric plasma;

· The triggering and temporal evolution of geomagnetic storms;

· The variations in solar radiation received at Earth and its effects on satellite drag;

· The impacts of geomagnetic disturbances on the thermosphere and ionosphere;

· Electron density structures and ionospheric scintillations;

· Ionospheric plasma turbulence and dynamics;

· The effects of neutral winds, atmospheric tides, and planetary and gravity waves on the neutral atmosphere densities and on the ionosphere.

DR. JULIE J. MOSES, AFOSR/RTB1

E-mail: space@us.af.mil

(703) 696-9586

3. Topic 3: Agile Science of Test and Evaluation The Agile Science of Test and Evaluation (T&E) program supports basic research inventing and innovating revolutionary capabilities responsive to the Air Force T&E community. Crossing scientific frontiers necessitates enhancing and pioneering test and measurement capabilities. The program sponsors basic research in areas enabling metrology and facilitating correct and comprehensive interpretation of test information. Agile science of test and evaluation leads to improving the ability to analyze and model operational environments, pursue science discoveries, and accelerate research & acquisition. The AFOSR T&E program encompasses six broadly-defined, overlapping thrust areas: Aeroelasticity and Aerodynamics, Enabling Materials and Processes, Hypersonics, Information Management and Fusion, Sensors and Electromagnetics and Science of Integrated Risk Assessment. The Program is closely aligned with other AFOSR science areas advancing experimental methodologies and merging scientific disciplines.

The AFOSR T&E program is closely engaged with technical experts at the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) organizations including Arnold, Edwards, Eglin and Holloman Air Force Bases, who help guide the program on basic research objectives. Basic research in areas that advance the science of testing is broadly defined and spans mathematics as well as most disciplines in engineering and the physical sciences. Areas include, but are not limited to:

· Novel measurement techniques, materials, and instruments that enable accurate, rapid, and reliable test data collection of physical, chemical, mechanical, and flow parameters in extreme environments, such as those encountered during transonic flight, hypersonic flight, and the terminal portion of weapons engagement;

· Accurate, fast, robust, integrals models reducing requirements to test or help provide greater understanding of test results;

· Advanced algorithms and computational evaluation techniques that are applicable to new generations of computers, including massively parallel, quantum, and neuromorphic machines;

· Advanced algorithms and test techniques that allow rapid and accurate assessment of devices and software to cyber vulnerability;

· New processes and devices that increase bandwidth utilization and allow rapid, secure transfer of test data to control facilities during test;

· Advanced mathematical techniques that improve design of experiment or facilitate confident comparison of similar but disparate tests;

· Advanced models of test equipment and processes that improve test reliability and efficiency.

The portfolio also seeks basic research in other T&E areas, not listed above, that may advance the science of test and contributes to the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the AF T&E community.

DR. BRETT POKINES, AFOSR/RTA1

E-mail: tande@us.af.mil

(703) 588-1772

4. Topic 4: Materials with Extreme Properties Materials with Extreme Properties program aims to provide the fundamental knowledge required to enable revolutionary advances in future U.S. Air Force technologies through the discovery and characterization. Extreme environments are combination of heat-, stress-, magnetic-, electric-, microwave-, and acoustic fields. Materials of interest are ceramics, metals, and hybrid systems including inorganic composites that exhibit superior structural, functional and/or multifunctional performance.

The following research concentrations areas are selected to highlight the philosophy about function, environment and state of the materials that could create disruptive source of transformations.

Computational Materials Science. The aim of this research concentration area is to explore the possibility for the quantification of microstructure through reliable and accurate descriptions of grain and particle shapes, and identifying sample distributions of shape descriptors to generate and predict structures which might revolutionize the design and performance. The quality of computerized representation of microstructures and models will be measured by its (a) geometric accuracy, or faithfulness to the physical landscape, (b) complexity, (c) structure accuracy and controllability (function), and (d) amenability to processing and high level understanding. In order to satisfy these metrics, the approaches may require development of an accurate methodology for the quantification of 3-dimensional shapes in both experimental and theoretical microstructures in heterogeneous systems, and to establish a pathway for an accurate comparison tools (and metric).

Synthesis Science and Response Far from Equilibrium. The transformative breakthrough has not originated from the investigations of materials in equilibrium state but in contrary at the margins of the disciplines. In this context, this program embraces materials and processing science approaches that are far from the thermodynamic equilibrium domain; i.e., materials for quantum sciences, adaptive oxides, multiferroics, frustrated structures (layered structured materials), highly doped polycrystalline laser materials, and other non-equilibrium materials. This area requires understanding of super saturation of lattice-structure and manipulation of lattice substructure by understanding elastic softening of a lattice containing a critical amount of dopants, which could lead to an order disorder transition with further super saturation. The intent is to elucidate complex interplay between phase transitions for electronic/magnetic phase separation and untangle the interdependence between structural, electronic, photonic and magnetic effects.

Hypersonic Material. This topic area includes a wide range of activities of hypersonic that require understanding and managing the non-linear response of materials to combined loads (i.e., thermal, acoustic, chemistry, shear or pressure fields) under high energy density non-equilibrium extremities. The ultimate goal is to exploit these phenomena and design future materials, sensors and components for hypersonic environments.

Combined External Fields. This subtopic also stresses a fundamental understanding of external fields and energy through the materials microstructure at a variety of time scales and in a variety of conditions of extreme fields; i.e., dielectric breakdown at high temperatures. The aim is to link an effective property to relevant local fields weighted with certain correlation functions that statistically exemplify the structure and demonstrate scientific pathway to design new materials with tailorable properties.

DR. ALI SAYIR, AFOSR/RTB1

E-Mail: extreme.environment@us.af.mil

(703) 696-7236

5. Topic 5: Propulsion and Energetics

Propulsion and Energetics Research supports the Army's need for higher performance propulsion systems. Future systems must provide reduced logistics burden (lower fuel/propellant usage) and safer (insensitive) higher energy density systems.

Fundamental to this area are the extraction of stored chemical energy and the conversion of that energy into useful work for vehicle and projectile propulsion. In view of the high temperature and pressure environments encountered in these combustion systems, it is important to advance current understanding of fundamental processes to enable truly predictive models as well as to advance the ability to make accurate, detailed measurements for the understanding of the dominant physical processes. Thus, research in this area is characterized by a focus on high pressure, high temperature combustion processes and on the peculiarities of combustion behavior in systems of Army interest.

Hydrocarbon Combustion. Research on combustion phenomena relevant to diesel cycle engines is focused on intermittent reacting flows containing fuel injection processes, jet break-up, atomization and spray dynamics, ignition, and subsequent heterogeneous flame propagation.as well. Gaining fundamental understanding of these phenomena pertaining is a major objective. Novel diagnostics for the investigation of the dense field region of the spray are of special interest. Research on heterogeneous flames requires supporting study into kinetic and fluid dynamic models, turbulent flame structure, soot formation and destruction, flame extinction, surface reactions, multiphase heat transfer, and other factors that are critical to an understanding of engine performance and efficiency. An additional consideration is the high pressure/low temperature ignition environment encountered in advanced engines, which influences liquid behavior and combustion processes at near-critical and super-critical conditions. Fundamental research is needed in many areas, including low temperature physical and chemical rate processes, combustion instability effects at low temperatures, and non-equilibrium behavior. New characterization methods to investigate kinetics and flame phenomena in-situ at high pressure are needed. New computational methods to be able to predictively model complex reacting systems are also needed. With advances in sensing, modeling, and control architectures, it is becoming possible to further optimize the performance of combustion systems. Providing the foundations for such active control is also of interest to the program.

Energetic Materials. Research on energetic material combustion processes is focused on understanding the dynamics of the planned and inadvertent ignition and subsequent combustion of these materials which are commonly used for propulsion in gun and missile systems and in ordinance. The program is also addressing the characterization of advanced energetic materials, e.g., those based on nanoscale structures and/or ingredients. Basic research is needed in several areas, including: thermal pyrolysis of basic ingredients and solid propellants; flame spreading over unburned surfaces (particularly in narrow channels); surface reaction zone structure of burning propellants; chemical kinetics and burning mechanisms; propellant flame structures; characterization of physical and chemical properties of propellants and their pyrolysis products; and coupling effects among the ignition, combustion, and mechanical deformation/fracture processes. The use of advanced combustion diagnostic techniques for reaction front measurements, flame structure characterization, and determination of reaction mechanisms is highly encouraged, especially those able to probe surface and sub-surface reactions in the condensed phase. Also of interest are novel methods which can well characterize the ignition and burning behavior of a material utilizing only minute quantities of that material. Complementary model development and numerical solution of these same ignition and combustion processes are also essential. There is also need to understand the unplanned or accidental ignition of energetic materials due to stimuli such as electrostatic discharge, impact, friction, etc. This requires, for example, research on the processes of energy absorption and energy partitioning in the materials, the effect of mechanical damage on the ignition events, and other topics relating to the safety of energetic materials.

Dr. Ralph A. Anthenien

E-Mail: ralph.a.anthenien2.civ@mail.mil

(919) 549-4317

6. Topic 6: Computational Architectures and Visualization The Computational Architectures and Visualization program is concerned with modeling, analysis, design, and validation of computational infrastructure, both hardware and software, with special emphasis on the effect emerging and future computational architectures will have on managing, processing, analyzing, and visualizing massive data sets. This is due to the fact that the Army’s ability to generate data of all types from the battlefield to the laboratory far outpaces the Army’s ability to efficiently manage, process, analyze, and visualize such massive amounts of information. Emerging architectures only exacerbate the problem because the present and traditional models of computation no longer apply.

The research strategy is to focus on the effect that the technological shift to these new, advanced architectures will have on newly-developed systems and how to compute with these architectures efficiently as well as to make very large simulations and the visualization of massive data sets more interactive for the user while maintaining a high level of accuracy. As such, this programs funds innovative architectural designs of both hardware and software components and their interfaces that efficiently optimize computational resources and innovative algorithms that render massive data sets and/or massive geometric models and perform large scale Army simulations both quickly and accurately. Advances in this program are expected to lead to new computer modeling and design concepts (or paradigms) as well as software libraries that compute efficiently on these new and emerging architectures, that are scalable (usable on large-scale complex problems and able to handle massive amounts of data), and accurate (precise enough to predict and detect phenomena of interest) for both the laboratory and the battlefield. Also to be expected is the development of more efficient, interactive, and physically realistic battlefield, training, and scientific simulations.

Computational Architectures. Future computer systems will be both massively heterogeneous and parallel, implying the present and traditional models of computation will no longer be applicable. As a result, new computational theories are needed as well as mathematical abstractions and models of computation to address the difficulties associated with heterogeneous, parallel and distributed processing. Of special interest is determining how these new abstractions, algorithms, and computational processes map onto emerging computational resources of different types (e.g., multi-core, quantum, cloud, and chaotic computing, and determining which platforms are most suitable for Army applications). Other important issues to be considered for these emerging and future architectures are programmability, language and compiler support, real-time scheduling, resource-allocation, and the development of a flexible software environment.

Visualization. Interactive simulation and visualization provides new and enhanced capabilities for the examination, exploration, and analysis of information and data critical to the Army. However, Army applications are not limited to any one type of data or computational platform. As a result, new research and techniques are needed in order to visualize and simulate complex Army data such as training for battlefield scenarios with speed and precision on any platform for superior analysis and information extraction capabilities for realistic Army simulations and full situational awareness. Specific research areas of interest are, but not limited to, computational geometry, robust geometric computing, geometric and solid modeling, interactive graphics, 3D visualization tools, verification and validation, and synthetic environments. Special emphasis is placed on making very large simulations and the visualization of massive data sets faster, more computationally efficient, and more interactive for the user while maintaining an appropriate level of fidelity and physical realism.

Dr. J. Michael Coyle

E-Mail: joseph.m.coyle14.civ@mail.mil

(919) 549-4256

7. Topic 7: Optoelectronics

Research in this subarea includes novel semiconductor structures, processing techniques, and integrated optical components. The generation, guidance and control of UV through infrared signals in semiconductor, dielectric, and metallic materials are of interest. The Army has semiconductor laser research opportunities based on low dimensional semiconductor structures (quantum dots, wells, wires, etc.) operating in the eye-safe (>1.55), 3-5, 8-12, and 18-24 microns regions for various applications, such as ladar, infrared countermeasures, and free space/integrated data links. Components and sources in the UV/visible spectral ranges (particularly < 300 nm) may be of interest as well. Research is necessary in semiconductor materials growth and device processing to improve the efficiency and reliability of the output of devices at these wavelengths.

Research that leads to an increase in the data rate of optoelectronic structures is sought. Interfacing of optoelectronic devices with electronic processors will be investigated for full utilization of available bandwidth. Electro-optic components will be studied for use in guided wave data links for interconnections and optoelectronic integration, all requirements for high speed full situational awareness. Optical interconnect components are needed in guided-wave data links for computer interconnection and in free-space links for optical switching and processing. For high-speed optical signal processing as well as potential for power scaling, research on individual and 1 or 2-D arrays of surface or edge-emitting lasers is necessary. Research addressing efficient, novel optical components for high speed switching based on plasmonics, quantum dots, metamaterials or other regimes may be of interest. Emitters and architectures for novel display and processing of battlefield imagery are important.

Recent advances in neuromorphic photonic information processing (neurophotonics for short) and computation are highlighted a thrust of interest. Neurophotonic processing within a photonic IC (PIC) requires smaller and more energy efficient modulator devices on the order of 5 microns or less and 1 femtojoule/bit. Speeds of modulation should be several Gb/s or higher, and the insertion loss should be < 0.1 dB to achieve cascaded modulators of < 1 dB/cm. Modulation at 16 bit or higher resolution will be required for neurophotonic processor implementations. Other advances leading to enhanced neurophotonic regimes including energy efficient and high-speed photodetectors and light sources (most likely coherent) are sought. Exploration of ideas leading to enhanced performance in both 2D and 3D architectures that take advantage of bosonic properties of light (over the limited fermionic charge) will be considered. While single photon, quantum communications and quantum integrated photonics are not focused upon here, low photon (<100) count signals can be considered. Such research could impact single photon regime work with overlap due to similar quantum optics considerations.

Dr. Michael Gerhold

E-Mail: michael.d.gerhold.civ@mail.mil

(919) 549-4357

8. Topic 8: Probability and Statistics

The Probability and Statistics (P&S) program accepts proposals in all areas of probability and statistics that may aid in the development of new Army capabilities. The program emphasizes two main thrust areas, of which the first thrust area is in the foundations of statistics. Recent developments, such as the rise of data science and machine learning, and the reproducibility and replicability crises have led to renewed interest in the foundations of statistics. Since the Army is a major consumer of statistical analyses, it is naturally interested in their foundations. The P&S program will concentrate on foundational issues that are still unsettled but not adequately supported by other funding agencies. The second thrust area is in developing statistical methods for data types that are of special interest to the Army.

Foundations of Statistics. This thrust is divided into two major topics. The first is near-optimization. Many statistical and decision problems are framed as optimization. That is, we write down a set of equations that describe the system we’re studying, and then we look for the optimal point, or a nearly optimal point, in the space of inputs. However, in many problems it would be better, for reasons of robustness, interpretability, and implementation among others, to find the entire region of the input space that is nearly optimal. The near-optimization topic seeks proposals that will develop methods for finding, at least approximately, that region of the input space.

The second major topic addresses the possibility that there may be many good statistical models of the same data. Many statistical data analyses proceed by positing a statistical model – e.g. linear regression with Gaussian errors -- checking that the model describes the data reasonably well, then fitting the model. But it’s possible that, for example, a generalized linear model or a treed regression would also describe the data reasonably well. The many-models topic seeks proposals for research that will help identify cases when many different models all describe the data well, particularly when those models lead to substantially different conclusions.

Statistical Models of Army-Relevant Data. The Army has interests beyond those of the general public in several types of data and experiments. The P&S program seeks proposals to develop statistical models and methods for experiment and data types of particular Army interest. Two examples follow, though these are not exhaustive. The first example is in the area of forensic science. The Army is interested in evaluating evidence from criminal investigations involving DoD personnel and from sites that are suspected to harbor adversaries. The P&S research program seeks proposals that will create innovative approaches for source attribution of forensic samples such as drugs, explosives, DNA, or fingerprints; develop methods or protocols for extracting information from mixed DNA samples; develop tools, approaches, and techniques for modeling the statistical assessment of a DNA match with limited information to inform marker and panel selection; develop new quantitative, rather than qualitative, methods for patterned forensic analyses such as firearms, fingerprints, or blood splatters; and develop methods to pre-process, match, and analyze pattern evidence with or without human intervention.

The second example is in the area of wearable monitors. Most data from wearable monitors is analyzed with models in which the data from different people are assumed to be independent of each other. But when many people – e.g. soldiers – perform the same activity at the same time and location in parallel, their data may exhibit dependence. The P&S program seeks proposals to investigate the dependencies, how they can be modeled, and how they can be used to advantage. For example, P&S seeks proposals for distinguishing change points for one person from group-wise change points or for using group-wise data for quicker detection of an individual’s change point. P&S also seeks proposals for determining what computing is best carried out locally, on the monitoring unit, as opposed to transmitting all the data to a central computing server. These are just two examples of advancing methods for parallel monitoring data. P&S seeks any proposal that addresses parallel monitoring data.

These are just two examples of data types in which the Army has special interest. The P&S program seeks proposals for developing statistical methods to address all types of Army-specific data or experiments. These areas include the Army Modernization Priorities and the DoD Modernization Priority Areas stated in the National Defense Strategy.

Dr. Michael Lavine

E-Mail: michael.l.lavine3.civ@mail.mil

(919) 549-4312

9. Topic 9: Molecular Structure and Dynamics

The goal of the Molecular Structure and Dynamics program is to determine the reactive pathways and intermediates for reactions of molecules and molecular ions in gas and condensed phases at a range of temperatures and pressures, and to develop theories that are capable of accurately and efficiently describing and predicting these phenomena. In the long term, these studies may serve as the basis for the design of future propellants, explosives, and sensors. This Program is divided into three research thrusts: (i) Reaction Dynamics, (ii) Computational Modeling, and (iii) Chemistry of Novel Energetic Materials.

Research in the Reaction Dynamics thrust explores energy transfer mechanisms in molecular systems. In particular, research is focused on understanding dynamic processes such as roaming radicals, chemical reactions in solid state crystals and heterogeneous mixtures, phase transformations, kinetically stabilized versus thermally stabilized polymorphs and opportunities for control of polymorphic phase, and control of chemical processes using a variety of spectroscopic methods. Studies that yield new insights on the decomposition pathways of energetic molecules including their associated ionic states, both in the gas and condensed phases, are also of interest. The role that cations and anions play during detonation of bulk phase energetic materials is currently of high interest in the program. Proposals are especially encouraged in this area.

Research in the Computational Modeling thrust is focused on the development and validation of theories for describing and predicting the properties of chemical reactions and molecular phenomena in gas and condensed phases. In particular, research targeted at the development and implementation of novel theoretical computational chemistry methods is of interest. Ideally, such methods will go beyond current theories to allow for efficient, accurate, and a priori prediction of thermochemical properties. Such methods may take advantage of near-ideal parallel processing on massive computer clusters, or they may seek to solve current scaling problems through novel implementation of unprecedented theories via computer algorithms. The accurate prediction of intermolecular forces for problems in solid-state chemistry, such as the prediction of x-ray crystal structures, is also of interest.

Research in the Chemistry of Novel Energetic Materials thrust is focused on the synthesis, characterization, and measurement of properties of novel disruptive energetic materials. For a programmatic definition, disruptive energetic materials are those which have the potential to release two to ten times the explosive power of RDX when detonated. Such novel disruptive energetic materials will likely be derived from systems which differ significantly from traditional hydrogen-carbon-nitrogen-oxygen energetic materials. To be practical, any useful EM must have a high potential energy stored within the chemical bonds and also be stable from unwanted stimulations leading to accidental detonation. This principle can be used to develop notional disruptive energetic materials, and the methods of chemical synthesis can be used to target them for development. Academic research in this area is focused on discovery and characterization.

Dr. James K. Parker

E-Mail: james.k.parker30.civ@mail.mil

(919) 549-4293

10. Topic 10: Social and Behavior Science

The goal of this Program is to promote basic research on social behavior to discover the theoretical foundations of social behavior at all levels, from single agents to collectives and global societies. The thrusts of this Program are (1) developing reliable and valid measures and models of social and behavioral dynamics, (2) discovering, modeling, and validating theories of interactions among social, natural, and physical systems; and (3) generating new cross-cultural models of the impact of social institutions on the scientific enterprise.

Measuring & Modeling Social and Behavioral Dynamics. The behavior of single agents comprises a social system. The individual behaviors, however, cannot simply be summed to accurately depict or predict the dynamics of a social system. There are a number of well-documented intervening collective processes (e.g., polarization, evaluation apprehension, Ringlemann effect, risky-shift, information transfer biases, identity decay, and risk transfer) that may lead to local or system-wide adjustments. Little is known about the conditions under which such collective processes are activated or how they interact to affect collective outcomes. Moreover, existing methods to detect them are often fraught with bias, relying on subjective self-reports, reliance on instruments that are not cross-culturally consistent, observer/experimenter bias, demand effects in experiments, and non-representative sampling frames. In addition to challenges in measuring social dynamics, traditional methods of modeling and empirically testing theoretical claims are often deficient. There is a tendency to use statistical techniques that rely on assumptions that are not borne out in the social phenomena being studied (e.g., assumptions of linear relationships, continuous scales, non-independence of observations, normally distributed data). The aim of this thrust is to inform and advance social science theories by generating and validate measures, methods, technologies, and models that objectively capture individual and collective dynamics to overcome this gap. The thrust looks favorably on the use of emerging methods in biophysiological measurements, measurement of social dynamics of non-human species, and cross-cultural research. It also encourages non-traditional modeling strategies that overcome deficiencies of using continuous linear models and normal distributions when phenomena are not continuous, linear, or normally distributed, as well as overcoming inappropriate assumptions of non-independence of observations. This thrust will enable new capabilities for the Army to more accurately predict risks posed by single agents, collectives, and regimes, as well as provide a foundation for understanding the basis for improving performance in and outcomes of collectives and populations.

Modeling and Validating Interactions among Social, Natural, and Physical Systems. Social systems are embedded in a larger ecological system consisting of turbulent and dynamic natural phenomena (e.g., droughts, floods, earthquakes) and constantly evolving physical systems (i.e., human-built systems, including dense urban environments, cyber environments, utility systems, transportation routes).