W911NF-17-S-0002 ARO BAA Amendment 08.pdf

ARMY RESEARCH OFFICE

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR

FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH

W911NF-17-S-0002-08

01 April 2017 – 31 March 2022

ISSUED BY:

U.S. Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground

Research Triangle Park Division P. O. Box 12211

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211

Special Notes

1. Formatting of the Announcement

The following table provides an overview of the outline structure of this announcement:

I.

A.

1.

a.

i.

(1) (a) (i)

2. See Appendix 1 for a Table of Acronyms used in this announcement.

3. See Appendix 2 for a Schedule of Amendments. Applicants are encouraged to frequently check Grants.gov and FBO.gov for updates and amendments to this BAA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 1

A. Required Overview Content 3

1. Agency Name 3

2. Research Opportunity Title 3

3. Announcement Type 3

4. Research Opportunity Number 3

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number and Title 3

6. Response Dates 3 B. Additional Overview Information 4

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 5

A. Program Description 5

1. RESEARCH INTERESTS FOR U.S. INSTITUTIONS 5

a. Physical Sciences 5

i. Chemical Sciences 5

ii. Physics 9

iii. Life Sciences 14

b. Engineering Sciences 19

i. Mechanical Sciences 20

ii. Electronics 26

iii. Materials Sciences 30

iv. Earth Sciences 32

c. Information Sciences 33

i. Computing Sciences 33

ii. Mathematical Sciences 39

iii. Network Sciences 49

2. INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INTERESTS 57

a. Human Dimension 57

b. Innovations of Materials 58

3. ARO SPECIAL PROGRAMS 60

a. Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR) Program 60

b. Early Career Program (ECP) 61

c. Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) 62

d. Research Instrumentation (RI) Program 63

e. Conference and Symposia Grants 64

f. High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP)/Undergraduate Research

Apprenticeship Program (URAP)

g. Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCUs/MIs)

4. OTHER NON-ARO PROGRAM-RELATED INFORMATION 67

a. Visiting Scientist Program (VSP) 67

b. DoD Programs 68 B. Federal Award Information 69

C. Eligibility Information 72

1. Eligible Applicants 72

2. Cost Sharing or Matching 72

3. Other 72 D. Application and Submission Information 73

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement 73

2. Content and Form of Application Submission 73

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 86

4. Submission Dates and Times 86

5. Intergovernmental Review 87

6. Funding Restrictions 87

7. Other Submission Requirements 87 E. Proposal Review Information 88

1. Criteria 88

2. Review and Selection Process 89

3. Recipient Qualification 89 F. Award Administration Information 92

1. Award Notices 92

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements 92

a. Required Representations and Certifications 92

b. Policy Requirements 96

3. Reporting 101 G. Agency Contacts 103 H. Other Information 104

1. Contract Proposals 104

2. Grant and Cooperative Agreement Proposals 111

APPENDIX 1: TABLE OF ACRONYMS 116

APPENDIX 2: SCHEDULE OF AMENDMENTS 119

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The purpose of this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is to solicit research proposals in the engineering, physical, life, and information sciences for submission to the Army Research Office (ARO) for consideration for possible funding.

NOTE: For ease of reference and clarity, the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) has two BAAs.

This BAA for ARO, and another one for the ARL Directorates (Computational and Information Sciences Directorate, Human Research and Engineering Directorate, Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, Vehicle and Technology Directorate, and Weapons and Materials Research Directorate).

ARO is focused exclusively on extramural basic research, and is responsible for the vast majority of ARL’s extramural research programs and funding. The ARL Directorates are focused on executing in-house research programs, with a significant emphasis on collaborative research with other organizations in an Open Campus setting (Open Campus opportunities are described in detail at https://www.arl.army.mil/opencampus/. These in-house Directorates do fund a modest amount of extramural research in certain specific areas, and ARL’s BAA describes those areas of interest.

ARL’s mission is to Operationalize Science for Transformational Overmatch. ARL’s strategy is based on seven Science and Technology (S&T) Competencies: Ballistic Sciences, Computational Sciences, Human Sciences, Materials & Manufacturing Sciences, Network & Information Sciences, Propulsion Sciences, and Protection Sciences. These competencies are structured to create discovery, innovation, and transition of technologies for Army transformational overmatch.

ARO is focused on creating and directing scientific discoveries for revolutionary new Army capabilities that support and inform these Competencies, as referenced in this BAA.

Proposals are sought from institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and for-profit organizations (i.e. large and small businesses) for scientific research in mechanical sciences, mathematical sciences, electronics, computing science, physics, chemistry, life sciences, materials science, network science, and environmental sciences. Proposals will be evaluated only for fundamental scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the scientific state of the art or increasing basic knowledge and understanding. Proposals focused on specific devices or components are beyond the scope of this BAA.

Proposals are expected to be for cutting-edge innovative research that could produce discoveries that would have a significant impact on enabling new and improved Army operational capabilities and related technologies. The specific research areas and topics of interest described in this document should be viewed as suggestive, rather than limiting. ARO is always interested in considering new innovative research concepts of relevance to the Army.

In order to conserve valuable applicant and Government resources, and to facilitate determining whether a proposed research idea meets the guidelines described herein, prospective applicants contemplating submission of a whitepaper or proposal are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). The TPOCs’ names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses are listed immediately after each research area of interest. If an applicant elects to submit a whitepaper, it should be prepared in accordance with the instructions contained in this BAA. Upon receipt, a whitepaper will be evaluated and the applicant will be advised of the results. Applicants whose whitepapers receive a favorable evaluation may be encouraged to prepare a proposal in accordance with instructions contained in this BAA. The costs of whitepapers and/or proposals in response to this BAA are not considered an allowable direct charge to any award resulting from this BAA or any other award. It may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect costs specified in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-18. ARO prefers proposals to cover a 3-year period and include a brief summary of work contemplated for each 12-month period so that awards may be negotiated for an entire 3-year program or for individual 1-year increments of the total program. Proposals may be submitted at any time while this BAA, including any amendments, is valid.

In accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and Department of Defense (DoD) and Army policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the Army.

Applicants submitting proposals are cautioned that only a Contracting or Grants Officer can obligate the Government to any legal instrument involving expenditure of Government funds.

This BAA is also used to solicit research proposals for submission to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) International Technology Centers.

All administrative inquiries regarding this BAA shall be submitted in email to:

usarmy.rtp.aro.mbx.baa@mail.mil. Scientific and technical questions should be referred to the TPOCs shown following each research area of interest. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check any of the following websites for updates and amendments to this BAA:

www.grants.gov, beta.sam.gov, and the (ARL) website www.arl.army.mil/.

BARTON H. HALPERN

Director Army Research Office (End of Section)

A. Required Overview Content

1. Agency Name U.S. Army Research Office

Issuing Acquisition Office U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park (ACC- APG-RTP) Division

2. Research Opportunity Title ARO Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Fundamental Research for 01 April 2017 – 31 March 2022

3. Announcement Type Amended Announcement

4. Research Opportunity Number

W911NF-17-S-0002-08

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number and Title

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. Response Dates This BAA is a continuously open announcement valid throughout the period from the date of issuance through 31 March 2022, unless announced otherwise. This announcement succeeds BAA W911NF-12-R-0012 (including all modifications) dated 15 May 2012.

B. Additional Overview Information

This BAA sets forth research areas of interest to the ARO. This BAA is issued under FAR 6.102(d)(2), which provides for the competitive selection of fundamental research proposals, and 10 U.S.C. 2358, 10 U.S.C. 2371, and 10 U.S.C. 2371b, which provide the authorities for issuing awards under this announcement for fundamental research. The definitions of fundamental research may be found at 32 CFR 22.105.

Proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provision of Public Law 98- 369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984" and subsequent amendments.

The DoD agencies involved in this program reserve the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals submitted in response to this announcement. Due to Government budget uncertainties, no specific dollars have been reserved for awards under this BAA. The participating DoD agencies will provide no funding for direct reimbursement of whitepaper or proposal development costs.

Whitepapers and technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned to the applicant. It is the policy of participating DoD agencies to treat all proposals as sensitive, competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

An applicant may withdraw a proposal at any time before award by written notice or by email sent to the Government point of contact (POC) identified in Section G of this BAA.

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. Program Description

1. RESEARCH INTERESTS FOR U.S. INSTITUTIONS

ARL’s ARO mission is to serve as the Army's principal extramural basic research agency funding research at universities, companies and not-for- profits in the engineering, physical, and information sciences. ARO’s research portfolio is executed through ten scientific divisions, with titles reflecting fundamental scientific disciplines familiar to academic institutions. These Divisions directly support and inform the ARL Competencies.

a. Physical Sciences

Research in the Physical Sciences is focused on basic research to discover, understand, and exploit physical, chemical, and biological phenomena. This research is of a fundamental nature; however, in the long term, discoveries in this area are expected to lead to revolutionary new capabilities in warfighter performance, intelligence, synthetic biology, sensing, communications, protection, power/energy storage and generation, and materials that extend the performance of Army systems well beyond current limits.

i. Chemical Sciences

The objective of the Chemical Sciences Division is to uncover and exploit the fundamental properties and processes governing molecules and their interactions in materials and chemical systems. The Division encourages proposals that promote basic research to develop methods for accurately predicting the pathways, intermediates, and energy transfer of specific reactions, to understand the fundamental processes governing electrochemical reactions and transport of species, and to discover the relationships between macromolecular microstructure, architecture, functionality, and macroscopic properties. In addition, these efforts will likely lead to new methods for synthesizing and analyzing molecules and materials that will open the door to future studies not feasible with current approaches.

The Division’s research programs are currently focused on five research areas. The titles, scopes and points of contact for these programs, each of which address general aspects of basic research in chemical sciences, are listed in the following subsections. Symposia, conferences and workshops are also supported in part or in whole to provide an exchange of ideas in areas of Army interest.

(1) Polymer Chemistry

The goal of this Program is to understand the molecular-level link between polymer microstructure, architecture, functionality, and the ensuing macroscopic properties.

Research in this Program may ultimately enable the design and synthesis of functional polymeric materials that give the Soldier new and improved protective and sensing capabilities as well as capabilities not yet imagined. This Program is divided into two research thrusts: (i) Precision Polymeric Materials and (ii) Complex Adaptive Polymeric Systems. Within these thrusts, high-risk, high-payoff research is identified and supported to pursue the Program’s long-term goal.

The Precision Polymeric Materials thrust supports research aimed at developing new approaches for synthesizing polymers with precisely-defined molecular weight, microstructure, architecture, and functional group location. Of particular interest are research efforts that focus on novel methods for achieving sequence and tacticity control in synthetic polymers as well as enabling the synthesis of novel 2D organic polymers.

Also of interest to this thrust are research efforts that explore how molecular structure influences polymer assembly into more complex, hierarchical structures as well as influence interactions with other materials (e.g., inorganic or biological materials) to render functional hybrid assemblies.

The Complex Adaptive Polymeric Systems thrust focuses on developing polymers that exhibit programmed molecular responses to external stimuli. Particularly of interest are research efforts related to stimuli-responsive self-immolative polymers, polymer mechanochemistry, and stimuli-mediated polymer assembly. Additionally, research focused on exploring the assembly/incorporation of multiple responsive groups into a single polymeric material system as well as the incorporation of feedback mechanisms to engender complex responsive behavior is also of interest.

TPOC: Dr. Dawanne Poree, dawanne.e.poree.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4238

(2) Electrochemistry

This Program supports fundamental electrochemical studies to understand and control the physics and chemistry that govern electrochemical redox reactions and transport of species, and how these are coupled with electrode, catalysis, electrolyte, and interface.

Research includes ionic conduction in electrolytes, electrocatalysis, interfacial electron transfer, transport through coatings, surface films and polymer electrolytes, activation of carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds, and spectroscopic techniques that selectively probe electrode surfaces and electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Novel electrochemical synthesis, investigations into the effect of microenvironment on chemical reactivity, quantitative models of electrochemical systems, and electrochemistry using excited electrons are also of interest.

This Program is divided into two research thrusts, although other areas of electrochemical research may be considered: (i) Reduction-oxidation (Redox) Chemistry and Electrocatalysis, and (ii) Transport of Electroactive Species.

The Redox Chemistry and Electrocatalysis thrust supports research to understand how material and morphology affect electron transfer and electrocatalysis, to tailor electrodes and electrocatalysts at a molecular level, and to discover new spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques for probing surfaces and selected species on those surfaces.

The Transport of Electroactive Species thrust supports research to uncover the mechanisms of transport through heterogeneous, charged environments such as polymers and electrolytes, to design tailorable electrolytes based on new polymers and ionic liquids, and to explore new methodologies and computational approaches to study the selective transport of species in charged environments.

TPOC: Dr. Robert Mantz, robert.a.mantz.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4309

(3) 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.

TPOC: Dr. James K. Parker, james.k.parker30.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4293

(4) Reactive Chemical Systems

The goal of the Reactive Chemical Systems Program is to achieve a molecular level understanding of interfacial activity and dynamic nanostructured and self-assembled chemical systems to provide unprecedented hazardous materials management capabilities and soldier survivability. This Program supports basic research with Army relevance in surfaces, catalysis, organized assemblies, and stimuli-responsive chemical systems. This program is divided into two thrusts: (i) Nanostructure Surface Interactions and Reactivity and (ii) Synthetic Molecular Systems.

The Nanostructure Surface Interactions and Reactivity thrust supports research on understanding the kinetics and mechanisms of reactions occurring at surfaces and interfaces and the development of new methods to achieve precise control over the structure and function of chemical and biological molecules on surfaces. Specific areas of interest include adsorption, desorption, and the catalytic processes occurring at surfaces and interfaces and the interface between nanostructures and biomolecules to generate advanced materials.

The Synthetic Molecular Synthesis thrust supports research that imparts multi-functionality, stimuli-responsive and dynamic behavior to completely synthetic molecular and chemical systems. Research of interest includes design and development of nanostructured scaffolds and sequential catalytic systems. This thrust also supports research aimed at exploring the properties and capabilities of self-assembled and supramolecular structures, including their functionality, and how to control assembly in different environments.

In addition, the emerging field of dynamic, responsive, multi-functional materials have great potential to provide revolutionary new capabilities. A specific technical area in this field is "targeting and triggering" in which a specific chemical (or event) is targeted (recognized) and that recognition triggers a response. Particular technical challenges of interest include selective and reversible recognition, amplification, and multi-responsive systems. Alternative approaches to selective, yet reversible, recognition are needed.

Amplification includes an understanding of how to amplify the response from a single molecular recognition event to a multi-molecular response with approaches that promote chain reactions, self-amplification or cascade-type reactions within a single system.

Multi-responsive systems in which specific stimuli trigger distinct responses are also of interest.

TPOC: Dr. Dawanne Poree (Acting), dawanne.e.poree.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4238

(5) Environmental Chemistry

The Environmental Chemistry program seeks to provide a more complete and practical understanding of transport, degradation, and transformation for chemicals and compounds of interest. The goal of the research is to develop theories that comprehensively account for the interdependent nature of heterogeneous environments.

The program will identify fundamental research opportunities in two main thrusts: (i) Chemical structure and reactivity in multiphase environments and (ii) Novel techniques for detection and prediction.

Chemical structure and reactivity in multiphase environments aims to determine the properties and processes that govern the fate and transport of compounds in environments where chemical reactions and transport processes occur between solid, liquid and gaseous matter. Army-relevant multiphase environments are soils, sediments, dust, water (e.g. lacustrine, riverine, subterranean, and snow and ice), and films (e.g.

biological and urban). The reactions in these environments occur synergistically and dynamically and are a function of the species present, their structure and partitioning, and their chemical and physical properties. Therefore, understanding multiphase environments relies on basic research to quantify the structure and physio-chemical evolution of a compound over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.

Complementary studies involving novel experimental and computational approaches are essential to overcome the research challenges of multiphase environments.

Novel techniques for detection and prediction aims to develop cutting-edge analytical, computational, and experimental approaches to advance the theory and models required to detect and discern compounds of interest under relevant environmental conditions.

Areas of interest include source partitioning, deconvolution of complex matrices for non-targeted detection, rapid recognition of compounds at ultra-trace levels, and the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance fate and transport modeling capabilities for compounds and their degradation products.

TPOC: Dr. Elizabeth King, elizabeth.k.king15.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4386

ii. Physics

The objective of the Physics Division is to develop forefront concepts and approaches, particularly exploiting quantum phenomena, that will in the long-term have revolutionary consequences for Army capabilities, while in the nearer-term providing for existing Army needs. In support of this goal, the interests of the Physics Division are primarily in the areas described in the following subsections.

The Division’s research programs are currently focused on four research areas. The titles, scopes and points of contact for these programs, each of which address general aspects of basic research in physics, are listed in the following subsections. A small number of symposia, conferences and workshops are also supported in part or in whole to provide an exchange of ideas in areas of Army interest.

(1) Solid State Physics (SSP)

The SSP Program strives to drive research that looks beyond the current understanding of natural and designed condensed matter, to lay a foundation for revolutionary technology development for next generation and future generations of warfighters.

Strong Correlations and Novel Quantum Phases of Matter. Understanding, predicting, and experimentally demonstrating novel phases of matter in strongly correlated solid state materials will lay a foundation for new technology paradigms for applications ranging from information processing to sensing to novel functional materials. Interest primarily involves strong correlations of electrons, but those of other particles or excitations are not excluded. This thrust also emphasizes dynamically-stabilized electronic states and metastable phases of materials that are not adiabatically accessible from known ground states. The program seeks to foster novel experimental and theoretical research targeting the discovery and rational design of new quantum phases of matter in the solid state, along with exploring how excitations within these phases can be probed and controlled.

Topologically Non-Trivial Phases in Condensed Matter. Topologically non-trivial states of matter in solid state materials beyond the quantum Hall phases have shown a remarkable opportunity to advance our understanding of physics as well as provide a foundation for new technologies. This thrust seeks to expand our understanding of both single-particle mean field topological states and those with strong correlations.

Magnetic correlations are of particular interest. Discovery as well as engineering of new non-trivial phases, verification of non-trivial topologies and phase transitions between trivial and non-trivial topological states are of interest.

Unique Instrumentation Development. Advanced studies of SSP phenomena often require unique experimental techniques with tools that are not readily available. For example, unambiguous experimental verification of predicted topologically non-trivial phases can be beyond the reach of existing techniques. The construction and demonstration of new methods for probing and controlling unique quantum phenomena in solid state materials is of particular interest.

TPOC: Dr. Marc Ulrich, marc.d.ulrich.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4319

(2) Quantum Information Science

Quantum mechanics provides the opportunity to perform highly non-classical operations that can result in beyond-classical capabilities in imaging, sensing and precision measurements, exponential speed-ups in computation, or networking. This program seeks to understand, control, and exploit such non-classical phenomena for revolutionary advances beyond those possible with classical systems. An overarching interest is the exploration of small systems involving small numbers of entangled particles. There are three major areas of interest (thrusts) within this program.

Foundational Quantum Physics (FQP). Experimental investigations of a fundamental nature of quantum phenomena, potentially useful for quantum information science, are of interest. Examples include coherence properties, decoherence mechanisms, decoherence mitigation, entanglement creation and measurement, nondestructive measurement, complex quantum state manipulation, and quantum feedback. An important objective is to ascertain the limits of our ability to create, control, and utilize quantum information in multiple quantum entities in the presence of noise. Systematic materials focused research which identifies and/or mitigates decoherence mechanisms is also of interest. Models of machine learning that are based on the foundations of quantum physics are of interest. Theoretical analyses of non-classical phenomena may also be of interest if the work is strongly coupled to a specific experimental investigation, such as proof-of-concept demonstrations in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) as well as other systems.

TPOC: Dr. Sara Gamble, sara.j.gamble.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4241

Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Metrology (QSIM). This research area seeks to explore, develop, and demonstrate multi-particle coherent systems to enable beyond classical capabilities in imaging, sensing, and metrology. Central to this research area is the exploration of small systems involving a few entangled particles. Topics of interest in this research area include the discovery and exploration of (a) multi-particle quantum states advantageous for imaging, sensing, and metrology, (b) quantum circuits that operate on multi-particle quantum states to enable beyond-classical capabilities, and (c) methods for the readout of quantum states. Other research topics of interest are: theory to explore multi-particle quantum states useful for beyond classical capabilities, quantitative assessment of capabilities and comparison to classical systems, efficient state preparation, quantum circuits for processing these states as quantum bits, readout techniques, decoherence mitigation and error-correction for improved performance, supporting algorithms as a basis for processing circuits, connections between the solution of hard computational problems and overcoming classical limitations in imaging, sensing, and metrology, entanglement as a resource, and suitable physical systems and key demonstration experiments.

TPOC: Dr. Sara Gamble, sara.j.gamble.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4241

Quantum Computation and Quantum Networking (QCON). Quantum computing and networking will entail the control and manipulation of quantum bits with high fidelity.

The objective is the experimental demonstration of quantum logic performed on several quantum bits operating simultaneously, which would represent a significant advance toward that ultimate goal of beyond classical capabilities in information processing.

Demonstrations of quantum feedback and error correction for multiple quantum bit systems are also of interest. There is particular interest in developing quantum computation algorithms that efficiently solve classically hard problems, and are useful for applications involving resource optimization, imaging, and the simulation of complex physical systems. Examples include machine learning, parameter estimation, constrained optimization, and quantum chemistry, among others. The ability to transmit information through quantum entanglement distributed between spatially-separated quantum entities has opened the possibility for new approaches to information processing. Exploration of quantum networking of information and distributed quantum information processing based on entanglement is of interest. These include the exploration of long-range quantum entanglement, entanglement transfer among different quantum systems, and long-term quantum memory.

TPOC: Dr. T.R. Govindan, t.r.govindan.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4236

(3) Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMP)

Topics of interest within the AMP Program include (i) quantum degenerate atomic gases, both Bose and Fermi, their excitations and properties, including mixed species, mixed state, and molecular, (ii) quantum enhanced precision metrology, (iii) nonlinear atomic and molecular processes, (iv) quantum systems in cavities, (v) collective and many-body states of matter, and (vi) emerging areas. Cooling schemes for molecules are of importance for extending the range of systems that may be exploited. In addition, there is an interest in emerging areas of AMO physics such as collective states of matter, emergent lattices in quantum gases, opto-mechanical interfaces, non-equilibrium many body dynamics, and metrology in non-ideal environments. Research efforts within the AMP Program fall within two thrust areas: Advanced Quantum Capabilities and Novel Quantum Methods. It is anticipated that research efforts within these areas will lead to applications including novel materials, efficient computational platforms, and exquisite quantum sensors.

Advanced Quantum Many-body Dynamics. The focus of this thrust is the development and study of strongly correlated many-body systems. The quantum simulator portion of the thrust seeks research on novel cooling, trapping, and the expansion of atomic and molecular species. The effort seeks the validation of many-body quantum theories through the development of experimental tools including quantum gas microscopes, synthetic gauge fields, mixed species, and novel interactions. Complimenting this effort will be the inclusion of foundational investigations into quantum mechanics, such as entanglement, many-body localization, collective modes, and entropy. To take advantage of the precision inherent in future quantum devices, these systems will need to connect to the classical world in such a manner that allows them to sample the signal of interest while remaining robust to noisy environments. Investigating how to maximize both the quality and quantity of entanglement within these systems will be a priority.

General issues of quantum coherence, quantum interference, entanglement growth, entanglement purity, and non-equilibrium phenomena, as well as discovering new scientific opportunities are also of interest.

Novel Quantum Metrology. The AMP Program has a general interest in exploring fundamental AMP that may impact future Army capabilities. This thrust is divided into two main areas: precision metrology beyond the standard limit and harnessing collective many-body states to improve quantum sensing. The Novel Quantum Metrology efforts will expand the foundations of quantum measurement into new areas that seek to exploit entanglement, spin-squeezing, harnessing collective-spin states, developing back-action avoidance measurements, and other areas that increase fundamental precision through interactions, including cavities and Rydberg atoms. It is expected that research in this thrust will complement efforts in the Advanced Quantum Many-body Dynamics thrust and vice versa. For example, collective many body states could be studied in optical lattices or quantum gas microscopes and foundational research of entanglement are anticipated to provide new metrological capabilities in non-ideal environments.

TPOC: Dr. Paul Baker, paul.m.baker4.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4202

(4) Quantum Optics

The objective of this program is to investigate optical phenomena that will lead to a deeper understanding of the underlying physics or the discovery of new physical effects that can improve capabilities of the Army. Much of the Army’s capability in sensing and information and/or energy exchange depends on light. Therefore, this program emphasizes physics that will significantly improve areas such as remote sensing, information processing, light and energy transmission, interactions between light and matter, and new or emerging phenomena relating to quantum optics.

Quantum Photonics. This thrust seeks to push beyond the state of the art in photonics and integrated optical platforms, seeking not only novel functionality, but also increased limits to sensitivity, accuracy, stability and robustness. In general, research exploring fundamental studies of light, and light-matter interaction in the micro, nano and subwavelength scale in novel platforms is sought. Broad areas of interest would include nonlinear photonics, topological photonics, plasmonics, polariton physics, and low energy integrated photonics. Research goals may include fully integrated quantum optics experiments, single and entangled photon sources, multispectral and optically tunable systems, and novel ways to utilize quantum mechanics to probe, image, or control matter. Also, necessary to advance the field is deeper understanding of photonics materials including but not limited to photonic crystals, disordered systems, 2D and layered 2D materials, and the like.

Meta-Optics. This thrust pursues novel functionality allowed by optical metamaterials.

In this area, the conventional limits of optics can be broken such as resolution beyond the diffraction limit and superlensing related phenomena. It is timely to look at the quantum optics of such processes as well as research in flat photonics. Proposals for new areas involving discrete symmetries, such as parity-time symmetries and non- Hermitian Hamiltonians are of interest. A related area is supersymmetric optics (SO), where projects are sought that use SO concepts in the design of photonic materials with new properties or capabilities. New forms of imaging using transformation optics or other novel imaging or structured light are also of interest.

Extreme Light. This thrust focuses on fundamental aspects of extreme light, meaning the examination of light in the extreme limits, such as the shortest pulses, the highest intensities, or the strongest coupling regimes in light-matter systems. Advances in these areas require theoretical and experimental research. Applications of these pulses may include high harmonic generation, nanolithography, particle beam acceleration, light filaments, ultra-high Q cavities and low threshold lasers. In addition, effects such as THz formation, broadband localized radiation from filaments and coherent control of atomic and molecular energy states are of interest. Proposals for new areas of extreme light such as relativistic optics are welcome.

TPOC: Dr. James A Joseph, james.a.joseph30.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4213

iii. Life Sciences

The Life Sciences Division supports basic research to advance scientific knowledge and understanding of the fundamental properties, principles, and processes governing DNA, RNA, proteins, organelles, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, as well as multi-species communities, biofilms, individual humans, and groups of humans. Research investments are driven by exploiting new scientific opportunities with anticipated long-term payoffs, including maintaining U.S. technological superiority and developing new Army capabilities.

The interests of the Life Sciences Division are primarily in the following areas: synthetic biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, proteomics, epigenetics, systems biology, bioinformatics, and behavioral science. The results of fundamental research supported by this Division are expected to enable the creation of new technologies for improving warfighters’ physical and cognitive performance capabilities, for protecting warfighters, to create new human-machine synergistic capabilities for identifying causes of and tipping points for social/political instability, and for creating new Army capabilities in the areas of biomaterials, energy, logistics, forensics and intelligence.

The Division’s research programs are currently focused on five research areas. The titles, scopes, and points of contact for these programs (each of which address general aspects of basic research in life sciences) are listed in the following subsections. A small number of symposia, conferences and workshops are also supported in part or in whole to provide an exchange of ideas in areas of Army interest.

(1) Biochemistry

This program emphasizes basic research focused on understanding and controlling the activity and assembly of biomolecules. Scientific advances supported by this program are anticipated to enable the development of novel systems, materials and processes that enhance Soldier protection and performance. An overarching goal of the program is to provide the scientific foundations to support biological activity outside of the cellular environment, including integration of biological systems with synthetic systems.

The Biomolecular Specificity and Regulation thrust is focused on elucidating natural mechanisms by which biomolecules recognize and interact with their targets, as well as inherent regulatory mechanisms utilized to activate or inhibit biomolecular activity.

This research thrust also includes novel approaches to engineer the specificity and regulation of biomolecules, either via modulation of natural mechanisms or via design of non-natural mechanisms. The goal of this thrust is to develop novel engineered approaches to modulate and control biomolecular activity, with emphasis on achieving biomolecular control in non-cellular contexts.

The Biomolecular Assembly and Organization thrust is focused on understanding the molecular interactions and design rules that govern self-assembly of biomolecules into both naturally occurring biomolecular structures and non-natural human-designed architectures. Biomolecular assembly across length scales is of interest, including discrete multi-protein complexes or nucleic acid structures, as well as hierarchical protein or nucleic acid assemblies and biological composites. This thrust includes homogeneous assemblies utilizing a single building block, as well as heterogeneous systems in which a mixture of different biomolecules and/or non-biological species (e.g., minerals, synthetic polymers) assemble. This thrust aims to elucidate fundamental understanding of sequence-structure-property relationships in natural biomolecular assemblies, biomaterials, and biological composites to enable rational design of biological and hybrid biological/abiological assemblies with tailored properties and/or functions. This research thrust also includes the design of self-assembled biomolecular or hybrid biological/abiological architectures that support functional organization of biological molecules in non-cellular contexts, including artificial cells and cell-free systems, as well as novel approaches to achieve functional integration of biomolecules with non-biological materials.

TPOC: Dr. Stephanie McElhinny, stephanie.a.mcelhinny.civ@mail.mil , (919) 549-4240

(2) Genetics

This program supports fundamental basic research in genetics, molecular biology, genomics, epigenetics, and systems biology in areas that are anticipated to enable improved cognitive and physical performance capabilities, increased survivability, and new Army capabilities in areas such as biomaterials, sensing, energy, and intelligence.

This program emphasizes innovative high-risk fundamental research in areas such as identification and characterization of genetic variation, gene function, gene regulation, genetic interactions, gene pathways, gene expression patterns, epigenetics, mitochondrial regulation and biogenesis, and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA Stability and instability.

The Eukaryotic Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics and Molecular Biology thrust is focused on identifying and characterizing genes, genetic pathways and genetic regulation in small and large eukaryotes. This program is interested in identifying and understanding the molecular factors and genetic polymorphisms that affect human physical and cognitive performance capabilities as well as human survival and protection under normal conditions and when affected by a variety of stressors likely to be encountered in battlefield situations, such as dehydration, heat, cold, sleep deprivation, fatigue, caloric insufficiency, pathogens, and physical and psychological stress. This program also supports pollen identification and species distribution models, mitochondrial regulation, activity and integrity, nuclear and mitochondrial DNA stability and instability, alternative animal systems, social insects, biological components of social instability, trust, plant genetics, synthetic biology, endosymbionts, and biological autonomous systems for sensing and detecting.

The Prokaryotic Genetics, Genomics, Epigenetics and Molecular Biology thrust is focused on understanding prokaryotic genes, genomes, molecular biology epigenetics and genetic variation. Areas of interest include mechanisms of prokaryotic adaptation at a molecular, individual and population level, prokaryotic genetic stability and instability, and synthetic biology.

TPOC: Dr. Micheline Strand, micheline.k.strand.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4343

(3) Microbiology

This program supports basic research in fundamental microbiology that can help advance needs in Soldier protection and performance. There are two primary research thrusts within this program: (i) Prokaryotic Survival Mechanisms in Challenging and Extreme Environments and (ii) Analysis and Engineering of Microbial Communities.

The Prokaryotic Survival Mechanisms in Challenging and Extreme Environments thrust focuses on the study of the cellular and genetic mechanisms and responses that underlie not just microbial survival in the face of environmental stress, but also the ability of specific microbes to thrive under those conditions. These stressors include extremes in temperature, pH, or salinity; the presence of toxins including metals and toxic organic molecules; oxidative stress; and cellular starvation and the depletion of specific nutrients. Included here is the study of microbial metabolism under conditions of slow growth and the transitions into and out of slow growth phases. Research approaches can include fundamental studies of microbial physiology and metabolism, cell biology, and molecular genetics that examine key cellular networks linked to survival and environmental adaptation, microbial cell membrane structure and the dissection of relevant critical signal transduction pathways and other sense-and-respond mechanisms.

The Analysis and Engineering of Microbial Communities thrust supports basic research that addresses the fundamental principles that drive the formation, proliferation, sustenance and robustness of microbial communities through reductionist, systems-level, ecological and evolutionary approaches. Bottom-up analysis of nutrient consumption, information exchange, signaling interactions, spatial/temporal effects structure-function relationships and biosynthetic output for single and multi-species communities within the context of planktonic and both native and engineered biofilm architectures is considered. The use of these approaches for the analysis of model microbial systems that address the biology of the mammalian microbiome are welcome. Of joint interest with the ARO Biomathematics Program, research efforts that advance the ability to work with complex biological data sets to increase understanding of microbiological systems marked by ever-increasing complexity are encouraged.

TPOC: Dr. Robert Kokoska, robert.j.kokoska2.civ@mail.mil, (919) 549-4342

(4) Neurophysiology of Cognition

The Neurophysiology of Cognition program supports non-medically oriented basic research in neuroscience, the behavioral sciences, physiology and neuroengineering that might enable the optimization of Soldier’s cognitive and physical performance capabilities. An overarching goal of the program is to provide foundational knowledge of molecular, cellular and systems-level neural codes underlying cognition and performance across multiple length and time scales. Research in this program can include a broad range of methodological and theoretical approaches applied to animal and human experimental systems including electrophysiology, neuroimaging and computational neurobiology. This includes the study of the psycho-physiological implications of brain-machine interfaces, the measurement and modeling of individual cognitive dynamics and decision making during real-world activity, and identifying how neuronal circuits generate desirable computations. In the long term, research in this area may enable the development of interfaces enabling humans to more efficiently control machines, new training methods and devices to predict and optimize individual performance, and the potential restoration from injury at the neural level. Basic research opportunities are sought in two primary research thrusts within this program: (i) Multisensory Synthesis and (ii) Neuronal Computation.

Multisensory Synthesis. The Multisensory Synthesis thrust aims to understand how the human brain…