FA9550-23-S-0001 Amendment 0003.pdf

AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), hereafter generally referred to as “we, us, our, or AFOSR,” manages the basic research investment for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

As a part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), our technical experts discover, shape, and champion research within AFRL, universities, and industry laboratories to ensure the transition of research results to support U.S. Air Force and Space Force needs. Using a carefully balanced research portfolio, our research managers seek to foster revolutionary scientific breakthroughs enabling the Air Force, Space Force and U.S. industry to produce world-class, militarily significant, and commercially valuable products.

To accomplish this task, we solicit proposals for basic research through this general Broad Agency Announcement outlining the U.S. Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program. We invite unclassified proposals that do not contain proprietary information for research in many broad areas. We expect to fund only fundamental research. Our research areas of interest are described in detail in section A. Program Description.

We anticipate many awards in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, technology investment agreements, or other transactions. We reserve the right to select and fund for award all, some, part, or none of the proposals received. There is no guarantee of an award. Please review the entire announcement for full details.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, and or 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 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

Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research

3. ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE

Amendment

4. ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER

FA9550-23-S-0001 Amendment 0003

5. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER

12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program

6. KEY DATES

This announcement remains open until superseded. We review and evaluate proposals as they are received. You may submit proposals at any time; however, some specific topic instructions may recommend submission by specific dates that align with funding expectations.

7. NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE:

The NAICS code for contracts under this announcement is 541715.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS (RTA1)

A.1.a. Dynamic Materials and Interactions A.1.b. GHz-THz Electronics A.1.c. Energy, Combustion and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics A.1.d. Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows A.1.e. High-Speed Aerodynamics A.1.f. Aerospace Composite Materials A.1.g. Multiscale Structural Mechanics and Prognosis A.1.h. Propulsion and Power A.1.i. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E)

A.2. INFORMATION AND NETWORKS (RTA2)

A.2.a. Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence A.2.b. Computational Mathematics A.2.c. Dynamical Systems and Control Theory A.2.d. Dynamic Data and Information Processing A.2.e. Information Assurance and Cybersecurity A.2.f. Mathematical Optimization A.2.g. Science of Information, Computation, Learning, and Fusion A.2.h. Trust and Influence A.2.i. Complex Networks A.2.j. Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience

A.3. PHYSICAL SCIENCES (RTB1)

A.3.a. Aerospace Materials for Extreme Environments A.3.b. Atomic and Molecular Physics A.3.c. Electromagnetics A.3.d. Optoelectronics and Photonics A.3.e. High Energy Radiation Matter Systems A.3.f. Quantum Information Sciences A.3.g. Physics of Sensing A.3.h. Space Physics A.3.i. Ultrashort Pulse Laser-Matter Interactions A.3.j. Condensed Matter Physics A.3.k. Astrodynamics

A.4. CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (RTB2)

A.4.a. Biophysics A.4.b. Human Performance and Biosystems A.4.c. Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Microsystems A.4.d. Molecular Dynamics and Theoretical Chemistry A.4.e. Natural Materials and Systems A.4.f. Organic Materials Chemistry A.4.g. Space Bioscience

A.5. AFOSR INTERNATIONAL OFFICES (IO)

A.5.a. European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD), London, United

Kingdom A.5.b. Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD), Tokyo, Japan A.5.c. Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD), Santiago, Chile59

A.6. OTHER INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CONCEPTS

A.7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM (ISEP)

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

C.2. COST SHARING

C.3. OTHER

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

D.2. CONTENT AND FORM OFAPPLICATION SUBMISSION

D.3. GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT PROCEDURES

D.4. COMPONENT PIECES OF THE APPLICATION

D.5. INFORMATION YOU MUST SUBMIT IF SELECTED FOR POSSIBLE AWARD

D.6. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI), CAGE, AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD

MANAGEMENT (SAM)

D.7. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

D.8. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

D.9. FUNDING RESTRICTION

D.10. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. CRITERIA

E.2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

E.3. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

E.4. NO GUARENTEED AWARD

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F.1. SELECTION NOTICES

F.2. AWARD NOTICES

F.3. ADMINISTRATIVE

F.4. REPORTING

G. AGENCY CONTACTS

H. OTHER INFORMATION

A.PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Our focus is on research areas that offer significant and comprehensive benefits to our national warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities. These areas are organized and managed in two scientific branches, each with two teams:

Engineering and Information Sciences (RTA)

• ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS (RTA1)

• INFORMATION AND NETWORKS (RTA2)

Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB)

• PHYSICAL SCIENCES (RTB1)

• CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (RTB2)

The research activities managed within each team are summarized below:

A.1. ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS (RTA1)

The Engineering and Complex Systems team within the Engineering and Information Science Branch leads the discovery and development of the fundamental and integrated science that advances future air and space flight. The broad goal of the team is to discover and exploit the critical fundamental science and knowledge that will shape the future of aerospace sciences. A key emphasis is the establishment of the foundations necessary to advance the integration or convergence of the scientific disciplines critical to maintaining technological superiority.

A wide range of fundamental research addressing electronics, fluid dynamics, materials, propulsion, and structural mechanics are brought together in an effort to increase performance and achieve unprecedented operational capability. The team carries out its ambitious mission through leadership of an international, highly diverse and multidisciplinary research community to discover, shape, and champion new scientific discoveries that will ensure novel innovations for the future U.S. Air Force and Space Force.

The central research direction for this team focuses on meeting the basic research challenges related to future air and space flight by leading the discovery and development of fundamental science and engineering in the following research areas.

The Engineering and Complex Systems (AFOSR/RTA1) Program Officers and topics are:

SECTION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION PROGRAM OFFICER

A.1.a. Dynamic Materials and Interactions Capt Derek Barbee

A.1.b. GHz-THz Electronics Dr. Kenneth C. Goretta

A.1.c. Energy, Combustion, and Non- Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Dr. Chiping Li

A.1.d. Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Dr. Gregg Abate

Flows

A.1.e. High-Speed Aerodynamics Vacant

A.1.f. Aerospace Composite Materials (Acting) Capt Derek Barbee

A.1.g. Multiscale Structural Mechanics and Prognosis

(Acting) Dr. Greg Abate

A.1.h. Propulsion and Power Dr. Justin Koo

A.1.i. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E)

Dr. Brett Pokines

Our research areas of interest are described in detail below:

A.1.a. Dynamic Materials and Interactions Program Description: The objective of this portfolio is to develop the fundamental scientific knowledge required to understand the dynamics of complex, heterogeneous and reactive materials for game-changing advancements in munitions and propulsion.

The research areas supported by this portfolio therefore seek to discover, characterize, and reliably predict the fundamental chemistry, physics, hydrodynamics and materials science associated with the high energetics of explosives, solid propellant burning, and structural dynamics of materials subject to shock loading. The overall scope of the research in the portfolio will be accomplished through a balanced mixture of experimental, numerical, and theoretical efforts. The fundamental science of interest to this portfolio is necessary for revolutionary advances in future Air Force and Space Force weapon systems and their propulsion capabilities, including increased energy density, operational efficiency, effect-based optimization, and survivability in harsh environments.

Basic Research Objectives: Research proposals are sought in all aspects of the chemistry and physics of energetic materials with particular emphasis on chemistry-microstructure relationships and the fundamental dynamics of heterogeneous materials with complex structural properties. The problems of interest span multiple time and length scales, and strongly couple a broad range of physical phenomena, presenting fundamental challenges in experimental characterization, data assimilation, and model development. Efforts that leverage recent breakthroughs in other scientific disciplines to foster rapid research advancements are also encouraged.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• New diagnostics for measuring the shape and speed of reaction fronts within well-characterized samples subject to various loading conditions. Ideally, this would require micro-meter and nano-second spatial and temporal resolution respectively.

In addition, reliable transient pressure and temperature measurement during dynamic loading conditions would be invaluable, especially when conducted at high resolutions.

• Mesoscale experiments to understand the initiation of energetic materials (explosives) or reactive properties of solid propellants, including shock-loading and mechanical response of energetic crystals.

• Shock wave and detonation physics, including the quasi-steady and unsteady reacting front propagation, non-equilibrium effects, stability characterization, shock response of polymers, composites, and geological materials.

• Prediction of processing, structure, and property relationships in energetic materials, including reactive materials by design, and the ability to tailor stress waves and shock shapes from first principles, as an inverse design problem via microstructural and chemical properties.

• Novel, high energy density material compositions that overcome the CHNO limitations, including scale-up techniques required for gram-scale production and characterization

• Advanced mathematical and numerical techniques for multi-physics and multi-scale modeling and simulation (M&S) in energetic and other heterogeneous materials, aimed at developing new capabilities for numerical prediction of future munition technologies and their effects.

• Numerical simulation approaches that can span, in an integrated manner, multiple aspects of ordnance modeling: solid mechanics (penetration, perforation, survivability), reactive flow (fuse, detonation train, main fill), shock/structure interaction (case expansion, fragmentation), blast (compressible gas dynamics, afterburn), and damage to a target.

• Sub-detonative combustion of high explosives, e.g. deflagration. Our understanding of and ability to simulate deflagration of HE is severely lacking, yet it is important for various selectable effects concepts.

You are highly encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort.

Capt Derek Barbee, AFOSR/RTA1 Email: dynamicmaterials@us.af.mil

(703) 254-8237

A.1.b. GHz-THz Electronics

Program Description: This program seeks scientific breakthroughs in materials, heterostructures, and devices that can lead to game-changing capabilities in digital electronics, RF sensing and amplification, transmit/receive functions, wideband mailto:dynamicmaterials@us.af.mil operation, and novel functionalities. The primary frequencies of interest range from GHz to THz.

Basic Research Objectives: The focus of the portfolio is on fundamental interactions of electrons and quasiparticles with each other and their host materials and structures.

Technical challenges include understanding and controlling (1) interactions between particles/quasiparticles and host lattices, boundaries, and defects, including effects of temperature, radiation, and time; (2) conventional, superconducting, or spin transport and effects of various fields and device configurations Efficiency, volume, speed, power, temperature of operation, and reliability are important figures of merit. It is expected to understand well various new phenomena and devices, novel techniques to study and control nanoscale composition and structures, defects, and operations may be required. The program emphasizes experiments and supports theory and modeling.

Proposers are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a white paper or proposal, preferably by email, to discuss the current state of understanding, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost of a three to five year effort.

DR. KENNETH C. GORETTA, AFOSR/RTA1

E-mail: ghz.thz@us.af.mil

(703) 696-7349

A.1.c. Energy, Combustion and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Program Description: Majority of Air and Space Forces’ system functions rely on the chemical energy stored in energetic molecules, converted into relevant forms, such as momentum through the combustion for propulsion and electricity from the electrochemical process for information processing, system control, direct energy weapon etc. The program supports efforts to explore, understand, describe, simulate/model, and manipulate/control key underlying physical and chemical phenomena/processes in energy supply and conversion, fostering innovative/ unconventional thinking, leading to game-changing capabilities as well as helping with current urgent needs for Air and Space Forces.

Basic Research Objectives:

This program seeks broad ranges of basic scientific understanding and knowledge of energy storage and conversion, including but not limited to the four following focused areas:

(1)Non-Equilibrium and Ultra-Fast Energy Conversion: detonation and other forms of locally controlled and compact combustion; non-equilibrium/ high-temperature combustion chemistry, ultra-fast electric energy release and delivery mechanism; non-equilibrium electrochemical and related physical processes, mailto:ghz.thz@us.af.mil especially relevant to SEI, direct-conversion from chemical to mechanical energy;

new space energy cycle/ concept, non-equilibrium energy-information relation;

etc.

(2) Multi-Functional and Unconventional Energy Storing Molecules, Materials and Processes: endothermic fuels and propellants; molecules, materials and chemical processes functioning thermochemically, electrochemically, and possibly structurally; sodium based and other unconventional battery chemistry/physics with geo-political and cost advantages; safe battery chemistry/physics for aviation and space exploration, including solid electrolytes, etc.

(3) Phase-Transition of Multi-Component Mixtures: Most Air and Space Forces’ energy systems involve the phase-transition of multi-component fluids with many unknows. These phase-transition behaviors are governed by the intermolecular force and interaction. The objective here is to understand and characterize the underlying molecular interactions for the multicomponent phase transition to explore vast potentials in energy and material sciences by manipulating and controlling these underlying molecular interactions.

(4) Diagnostics, Simulation/Modeling and Data Sciences for Energy Research:

including approaches and methods across large-scale ranges, with ultra-high local temporal and spatial resolutions to probe, understand and describe underlying energy-related physics and chemical processes mentioned above, particularly in multi-phase regimes; diagnostics: insidious pressure measurements, x-ray based spectroscopy with special interests in x-ray CARS (joint interest with Dynamic Material Interaction program); simulation and modeling: first principle-based multi-physics simulations with special interests in the local refinement and phenomenon capture; advancing data-assimilation science with the focus of using combinations of the data and simulation/modeling to deepen the understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry.

Contact Information:

Proposers are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal, preferably by email, to discuss the current state of understanding, how the research would advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. CHIPING LI, AFOSR/RTA1

Email: energy@us.af.mil

(703) 696-8574 mailto:energy@us.af.mil

A.1.d. Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows

Program Description: The Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows portfolio supports basic research into the dynamics and control of aerodynamic shear flows including the interactions of these flows with rigid and flexible surfaces in motion. The portfolio is interested in aerodynamic flows arising in both internal and external configurations and extending over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The portfolio emphasizes the characterization, modeling, prediction, and control of flow instabilities, turbulent flows, and aerodynamic interactions. A focus on the understanding of the fundamental flow physics is motivated by an interest in developing physically-based predictive models and innovative control concepts for these flows.

Basic Research Objectives: Research in this portfolio is motivated, in part, by the fluid-structure interactions, by vortex and shear layer flows, by the aerodynamic performance of novel configurations, and by enduring questions on transitional and turbulent flows. The portfolio maintains an interest in the dynamic interaction between unsteady fluid motion, linear and nonlinear structural deformations, and aerodynamic control effectors for a wide range of flight regimes.

The portfolio seeks to advance fundamental understanding of complex, time-dependent flow interactions by integrating theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches: studies integrating these elements to improve understanding are strongly encouraged.

Flow control studies are expected to involve an approach based on a fundamental insight into the flow dynamics. In cases where that insight may not exist, studies examining fundamental flow physics with a path to enabling control of the flow may be of interest. Flow control efforts integrating modeling, control theory, and advanced sensor and/or actuator technology for application to a flow of interest are encouraged.

Note that basic research of the variety typically funded by the portfolio may not yet have a clear transition path to an application, but nevertheless should be relevant to U.S. Air Force and Space Force interests.

Proposers are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal, preferably by email to discuss the current state of the art in his/her area of interest, how the proposed research would advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. GREGG L. ABATE, AFOSR/RTA1

Email: aerodynamics@us.af.mil

(703) 588-1779

A.1.e. High-Speed Aerodynamics

Program Description: The flow field around a high-speed vehicle strongly influences its size, weight, lift, drag and heating loads. Therefore, research in this area is critical to the U.S. Air and Space Force’s interest in rapid global and regional response and space mailto:aerodynamics@us.af.mil operations. This portfolio aims to lay the scientific foundation, through discovery, characterization, prediction and understanding of critical phenomena, for game-changing advancements in our understanding of high-speed, high-temperature non-equilibrium flows around flying vehicles. External and internal transitional and turbulent wall-bounded flows are critical to the cadre of problems studied. Such understanding is a pre-requisite to making hypersonic flight routine.

Basic Research Objectives: Proposals are encouraged which leverage recent breakthroughs in other scientific disciplines and foster rapid research advancements in high-speed aerodynamics. It is encouraged that proposed efforts contain a balanced combination of experiments, computations and theoretical efforts. Flight experiments may be sought for obtaining data that cannot be obtained in ground facilities or by state-of-the-art computations. For any experiments proposed, explain how they capture the most sensitive variables for the problem being studied and how they can be used for validation of numerical models. For any numerical efforts explain which the hardest variables to accurately predict are and how the results will be validated with relevant measurements. All proposal submissions should be driven by a gap in our scientific understanding of high-speed flow phenomenology with carefully identified approaches to closing that gap.

Innovative research is sought in all aspects of high Mach number (preferably M>5), high temperature, non-equilibrium flows with particular interest in (not in order of priority):

• Turbulence - structure and growth, unsteady flow field characterization, effects of micro/macro particles in free stream, wall roughness, curvature, angle of attack, etc.

• Transition - Initial value and Eigen value approaches for transition prediction, stability analysis for different modes and multimode transition

• Diagnostics - to measure both the shock layer and the free stream disturbances

• Flow-structure interactions at hypervelocity conditions

• Development of physics-based models for air ro-vibrational-dissociation and ro-vibrational-translational processes that can: 1) be incorporated in CFD solvers without incurring orders of magnitude more time to solve a given problem.

Experiments to validate the above models are also sought.

• Characterization of fundamental processes occurring between non-equilibrium flows and reacting surfaces

• Characterization of naturally occurring atmospheric phenomenology in at high altitudes relevant to high-speed aerodynamics

• Energy transfer mechanisms within high enthalpy flows

• Flight experiments to realize basic science advancement in any of the above areas might be sought.

Ideas that don’t strictly fall into the categories above, but are germane to high speed aerodynamics, are also welcome. You are highly encouraged to contact our Program

Officer prior to developing a full proposal, in any sub-area, to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to four (4) year effort.

Email: aerothermodynamics@us.af.mil

A.1.f. Aerospace Composite Materials Program Description: This program supports basic research in the design, processing, and characterization of novel composite materials to enable transformative enhancement in their performance through understanding of the chemistry, physics, and mechanics in heterogeneously structured materials. Such materials are aimed to significantly impact the structural design of future U.S. Air Force and Space Force platforms including airframes, space vehicles, satellites, and a multitude of load-bearing systems. Key scientific areas supported by the program include: materials discovery, collective phenomena in heterogeneous materials, interface science, process control, and architecture design tools for composite materials.

Basic Research Objectives: Proposals are sought to advance the understanding of heterogeneously structured materials and the ability to conceptualize novel materials with collective properties not achievable in monolithic materials. Among the routes to achieving game-changing improvements in compositionally and topologically optimized materials, current emphases within the program are: (1) advanced materials with exceptional temperature capabilities; (2) design and processing of configurationally complex materials with controlled disorder; (3) understanding of interfacial phenomenon in heterogeneous systems; (4) concepts for integrated functionalities on the material level; and 5) computation and characterization methodologies to interrogate the behavior of heterogeneous materials in harsh environments.

On materials discovery, the priority is placed on high temperature capabilities in polymer resin, fibers/coatings/reinforcements, and ceramics. Potential approaches include, but are not limited to, new chemistry, processing methodology, and novel microstructural configuration by design. The utilization of topological arrangement (phase distribution on nano- to micro-scale), phase transformation, coupling effects, and material texture to optimize macroscopic properties is of interest. Topics of interest on materials processing include, but are not limited to, dynamic covalent polymers, polymer-derived ceramics, organic-inorganic hybrids, and field-assisted sintering. The proposed research must be based on fundamental understanding of the chemistry, thermodynamics, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, short- and long-range coupling, and/or structure-property relationships of the candidate materials. Metal-based materials, while not excluded, are not a priority for the program.

The understanding of the interface is important in heterogeneously structured materials. Research emphasis is on the intrinsic properties, time-dependent microstructural evolution, as well as nanomechanical and chemical interactions at the reinforcement-matrix interface. The incorporation of coating or interphase materials to manipulate interfacial characteristics for optimal collective behavior is also of interest.

Innovative concepts to incorporate additional functionalities in a structural composite mailto:aerothermodynamics@us.af.mil material via hierarchical design and materials hybridization are of interest to the program. The functionalities may include, but are not limited to, acoustic, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic properties. The research concept must show synergistic interactions between functional constituents. Note the emphasis is on the exploitation of heterogeneity and intrinsic properties of the constituent materials, not on the design of devices.

Research ideas on computational modeling that aims to understand and predict the behavior of topologically complex materials in harsh environments are sought.

Concepts to elucidate and mitigate material degradation under ablative, plasma-rich, oxidative, and/or space radiation-present conditions are of particular interest.

Experimental validation of the computational results is highly desirable. Advanced characterization techniques capable of isolating and quantifying material response on proper spatial and time scales are also of interest to the program.

You are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to discuss the current state-of-the-art how your research would advance it, and any submission target dates. To initiate the discussion, submit via email a short research summary that describes the fundamental science to be investigated.

Alternatively you may submit pre-proposal that describes research concept, objective and approach, scientific significance, and the expected outcome. The pre-proposal is limited to two pages (text and legible graphics). A short budget statement on the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort must be provided. A third page containing key references may be included. Presentation viewgraphs are not an acceptable form of pre-proposal. The research focus must be on fundamental science and not on solving an engineering problem. If the concept is considered of interest to the Aerospace Composite Materials program and funding is available, an invitation to submit a full proposal submission may be extended.

Capt Derek Barbee, AFOSR/RTA1 E-Mail: ACMaterials@us.af.mil

(703) 254-8237

A.1.g. Multiscale Structural Mechanics and Prognosis

Program Description: This fundamental basic research program addresses the U.S.

Air Force and Space Force needs in the following application areas: 1) New and revolutionary flight structures, 2) Multiscale modeling and prognosis and 3) Structural dynamics under non- stationary conditions and extreme environments. Other game-changing and revolutionary structural mechanics problems relevant to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force are also of interest.

The structural mechanics program encourages fundamental basic research that will generate understanding, models, analytical tools, numerical codes, and predictive methodologies validated by carefully conducted experiments. The program seeks to establish the fundamental understanding required to design and manufacture new aerospace materials and structures and to predict their performance and integrity based on mechanics principles.

mailto:LDMaterials@us.af.mil

Basic Research Objectives: Fundamental basic research issues for new and revolutionary flight structures include: revolutionary structural concepts and unprecedented flight configurations; hybrid structures of dissimilar materials (metallic, composite, ceramic, etc.) with multi-material joints and/or interfaces under dynamic loads, and extreme environments; controlled-flexibility distributed-actuation smart structures. The predictive analysis and durability prognosis of hybrid-material structures that synergistically combine the best attributes of metals, composites, and ceramics, while avoiding their inherit shortcomings are of great interest.

Fundamental basic research issues of interest for multiscale modeling and prognosis include: physics-based models that quantitatively predict the materials performance and durability of metallic and composite flight structures operating at various regimes;

modeling and prediction of the structural flaws distribution and service- induced damage on each aircraft and at fleet level; structural analysis that accounts for variability due to materials, processing, fabrication, maintenance actions, changing mission profiles; novel and revolutionary on-board health monitoring and embedded non-destructive evaluation (NDE) concepts.

Fundamental basic research issues for structural dynamics include: control of dynamic response of extremely flexible nonlinear structures; control of unsteady energy flow in nonlinear structures during various flight conditions; nonlinear dynamics and vibration control of thin-wall structures of functionally graded hybrid materials with internal vascular networks under extreme loading conditions.

advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

E-mail: structural.mech@us.af.mil

A.1.h. Propulsion and Power

Program Description: The Propulsion and Power Portfolio seeks to expand fundamental science discovery and innovation to enable enhanced maneuver and power capabilities across the aerospace domain. Technology areas served by this portfolio are prioritized towards reaction mass propulsion systems (both electric propulsion and chemical propulsion) and related power storage and delivery systems.

In addition to improving traditional performance metrics, foundational insights and research methodologies derived from this portfolio may impact future capabilities such as improved lifetime assessment, enhanced robustness across performance envelopes, and faster deployment of new technologies.

Basic Research Objectives: Top level research objectives of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Dynamics and Stability - understanding of the conversion of energy to momentum at appropriate timescales is essential to controlling/leveraging coupled nonlinear mailto:structural.mech@us.af.mil processes essential to many propulsion systems. The complexity of this objective is only increased by the intimate coupling of non-equilibrium and multiscale processes (including emergent structures) to observed dynamical behavior in areas such as partially magnetized plasma transport and liquid rocket combustion instability.

• Nonthermal energy addition – understanding of the focused delivery of electrical energy to selected finite rate reaction pathways is critical to faster, more repeatable, more energetically efficient ionization and ignition processes such as in the context of effective utilization of lightweight molecular propellants in plasma systems and improved control of energetic chemical systems.

• Coupled boundary processes - understanding of nonequilibrium plasma/chemical interactions at material interfaces underpins future concepts for both passive (low wall erosion, high temperature/oxidation resistance) and active (controllable ion/electron extraction, electrochemistry) system boundary design. This research objective includes exploration of robust multifunctional materials critical to the design of resilient, high performance aerospace systems.

In addition, a strong emphasis is placed on leveraging the rapidly changing external technology landscape (power electronics/edge computing/advanced materials/algorithms/high speed datastreams) to motivate new exploration and fundamentally accelerate the rate of knowledge generation. As such, a common product of this portfolio is the rapid development of improved quantitative descriptions for relevant physical processes.

An enormous range of theoretical, experimental, numerical, and data-driven research approaches are relevant to studying these areas of interest; however, successful investigations are most likely through close coupling of multiple research approaches.

Furthermore, given the fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of this portfolio, major opportunities for innovation exist through collaboration with researchers from outside this portfolio. Researchers should also consult the programs in Energy, Combustion and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics, High-Energy Radiation-Matter Systems, Aerospace Materials for Extreme Environments, Molecular Dynamics and Theoretical Chemistry, Dynamical Data and Information Processing, Computational Mathematics, and other programs as described in this announcement to find the best match for the research in question.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to discuss its relationship to this basic research portfolio, specific details/innovations of the proposed research strategy in the context of the current state of understanding in this field, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates. Collaborative efforts with the Air Force Research Laboratory are encouraged, but not required.

DR. JUSTIN KOO, AFOSR/RTA1

E-mail: space.power@us.af.mil

(703) 696-8568 mailto:space.power@us.af.mil

A.1.i. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) Program Description: The Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) program supports basic research inventing and innovating revolutionary capabilities responsive to the Air Force and Space 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 three broadly-defined, overlapping thrust areas: Autonomy, Hypersonics, and Cyber & Microelectronics. The Program is closely aligned with other AFOSR science areas advancing experimental methodologies and merging scientific disciplines.

Basic Research Objectives: 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, integrable 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 methods 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;

• New or advanced science that enable revolutionary test and measurement;

• Basic research in other T&E areas that advances the science of test and contributes to the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the AF T&E community.

You are highly encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing full proposals to briefly discuss program alignment. You should be prepared to explain why your proposed effort should be considered basic research, how it is unique to Test Science, and demonstrate an awareness of the Air Force and Space Force T&E process.

Collaborative efforts with the Air Force Test Center and Air Force Research Laboratory are encouraged, but not required.

DR. BRETT POKINES, AFOSR/RTA1

E-mail: tande@us.af.mil

(703) 588-1772

A.2. INFORMATION AND NETWORKS (RTA2)

The Information and Networks Team within the Engineering and Information Science Branch is organized to support many U.S. Air Force and Space Force priority areas including autonomy, space situational awareness, and cyber security. The research programs within this team lead the discovery and development of foundational issues in mathematical, information and network oriented sciences. They are organized along three themes: Information, Decision Making, and Networks.

The information theme addresses the critical challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force and Space Force which lie at the intersection of the ability to collect, mathematically analyze, and disseminate large quantities of information in a time critical fashion with assurances of operation and security.

Closely aligned with the mathematical analysis of information is the need for autonomous decision making. Research in this theme focuses on the discovery of mathematical laws, foundational scientific principles, and new, reliable and robust algorithms, which underlie intelligent, mixed human-machine decision-making to achieve accurate real-time projection of expertise and knowledge into and out of the battle space.

Information analysis and decision making rarely occur in the context of a single source.

The networks theme addresses critical issues involving how the organization and interaction among large collections of information providers and consumers contributes to an understanding of the dynamics of complex information systems.

mailto:tande@us.af.mil

The Information and Networks (AFOSR/RTA2) Program Officers and topics are:

SECTION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION PROGRAM

OFFICER

A.2.a. Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence

(acting) Dr. Hal Greenwald

A.2.b. Computational Mathematics Dr. Fariba Fahroo

A.2.c. Dynamical Systems and Control Theory Dr. Frederick Leve

A.2.d. Dynamic Data and Information Processing Dr. Erik Blasch

A.2.e. Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Dr. Tristan N. Nguyen

A.2.f. Mathematical Optimization Dr. Warren Adams

A.2.g. Science of Information, Computation, Learning, and Fusion

Dr. Richard D.

(Doug) Riecken

A.2.h. Trust and Influence Dr. Laura Steckman

A.2.i. Complex Networks Dr. Donald K. Wagner

A.2.j. Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Dr. Hal S. Greenwald

A.2.a. Computational Cognition and MachineIntelligence

Program Description: This program 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 U.S. Air Force and Space Force. This program covers the full spectrum of computational and machine intelligence, from cognitively plausible reasoning processes that are responsible for human performance in complex problem-solving and decision-making tasks, to non- cognitive computational models of intelligence necessary to create robust intelligent systems. Robustness in this context is the ability to achieve high performance given at least some or all of the following factors: uncertainty, incompleteness or errors in knowledge; limitations on sensing;

real-world complexity and dynamic change; adversarial factors; unexpected events including system faults; and out-of-scope requirements on system behavior. In the midst of this spectrum are the technologies explicitly needed to seamlessly incorporate intelligent computational systems into mixed human-machine teams. The program is divided into three sub-areas that span the full spectrum of computational and machine intelligence. They are: Computational Cognition, Human-Machine Teaming and Machine Intelligence.

The program encourages cross-disciplinary teams with collaboration including computer scientists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, operation and management science researchers, information scientists, econometricians and game theoreticians, etc., especially when the research pertains to common issues and when collaboration is likely to generate bidirectional benefits. This program is aggressive, accepts risk, and seeks to be a pathfinder for U.S. Air Force and Space Force research in this area.

Proposals that may lead to breakthroughs or highly disruptive results are especially encouraged.

Basic Research Objectives: The Computational Cognition sub-area supports innovative basic research on high-order cognitive processes that are responsible for good human performance in complex problem solving and decision-making tasks – we only want to model the things people excel at. The sub-area also seeks to support research on building computational systems that derive from and/or integrate cognitive and biological models of human and animal intelligence. The overall objective is to understand and exploit these processes to create computational models that perform as well as or better than the reasoning systems they emulate. This sub-area seeks basic research that pertains to exploiting the capabilities of the mind and brain (human or animal) for creating more intelligent machines, as well as cognitively plausible mechanisms inspired by human (or animal) reasoning. This includes computational models based on human and animal performance in perception, attention, memory, learning, reasoning, and decision making in order to improve machine performance.

This sub-area does NOT, however, support statistical approaches to machine learning (e.g., “Deep Learning”), or related variants, as fundamental science in that area is addressed by the Science of Information, Computation, Fusion and Learning program described elsewhere in this BAA.

The Machine Intelligence sub-area supports innovative basic research on fundamental principles and methodologies of computational intelligence necessary to create robust intelligent systems. These methodologies may be cognitively inspired, or non-cognitive in nature, taking full advantage of the strengths embodied in mathematical and computational systems, such as the ability to reason with complex formal logic.

This sub- area encourages research enabling the creation of computational systems that embody intelligent behavior based on cognitively inspired or purely mathematical approaches.

Proposals that lead to advances in the basic principles of machine intelligence for memory, reasoning, planning, scheduling, and cognitively-inspired learning (i.e., NOT “Deep Learning” or other statistical means), action, and communication are desired insofar as these contribute directly towards robustness as defined above.

The Human-Machine Teaming sub-area is primarily concerned with the machine-side of mixed human-machine decision-making, which appears at all levels of U.S. Air Force and Space Force operations and pervades every stage of U.S. Air Force and Space Force missions. To that end, new theoretical and empirical guidance is needed to prescribe maximally effective mixtures of human and machine decision making in environments that are becoming increasingly complex and demanding as a result of the high uncertainty, complexity, time urgency, and rapidly changing nature of military missions. This sub-area seeks new empirical and theoretical basic research that enables intelligent machines to perform as true “teammates,” adapting their behavior to accommodate changes in the environment, as well as augmenting the performance of human teammates when needed. This includes basic science in collaborative human-machine teams to aid the machine-side of inference, analysis, prediction, planning, scheduling, and decision making.

advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. HAL GREENWALD (ACTING), AFOSR/RTA2

E-mail: machine.itel@us.af.mil

(703) 588-8441

A.2.b. Computational Mathematics

Program Description: This program seeks to develop innovative mathematical methods and fast, reliable and scalable algorithms aimed at making radical advances in computational science and large-scale engineering and design. Research in computational mathematics underpins the fundamental understanding of complex physical phenomena and leads to predictive simulation capabilities that are crucial to the design and control of future U.S. Air Force and Space Force systems, and their lifetime expectancy.

Proposals to this program should focus on fundamental scientific and mathematical innovations, and should have the potential to address some of the most important computational challenges in science and engineering. Additionally, it is desirable to frame the basic research ideas in the context of applications relevant to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, which can serve simultaneously to focus the research and to provide avenues for transition of basic research outcomes into practice. Applications of mailto:machine.itel@us.af.mil current Air Force and Space Force interest include, but are not limited to, quantum physics and quantum information systems, plasma dynamics, turbulence (e.g., in fluids, combustion, plasma), lasers and directed energy, aero-thermo-dynamics, information science, data analysis (including machine learning), biophysics, and material and structural sciences.

Basic Research Objectives: Research under this program has traditionally emphasized schemes that address the discretization and numerical solution of complex systems of equations, generally partial differential equations derived from physical models. However, alternative computational approaches are of keen interest, particularly in connection with emerging and multidisciplinary applications. Increased emphasis in this portfolio is placed on approaches that can handle a very high number of dimensions, uncertainty and stochasticity for non-Markovian processes, far from equilibrium conditions, and/or a wide range of scales (space, time, physical parameters, or complexity). Research areas of particular interest currently include:

• Mathematical methods for complexity reduction of high-dimensional, non- linear and multiscale problems, e.g., via projection-based methods and/or new machine-learning concepts. Such systems may have continuous, discrete or mixed representations, and may reside on graphs with evolving topology.

• Mathematical approaches to the modeling of non-equilibrium statistical processes and turbulent dynamics with multiple physical interactions and large parameter spaces; of special interest are methods which effectively allow bi- directional transfer of information across scales, and can simultaneously reduce the…