Air Force Office of Scientific

Research Overview
AFOSR Spring Review
15 March 2011

Dr. Thomas Russell, SES

Director
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Approved for public release.
 Contents

• DoD Basic Sciences and

AFOSR Overview
• Research Focus Areas;
Transitions
• STEM Activities
• AFOSR International
Program
2
 Strengthening Our Connections
Technical
COCOMs QDR Intelligence Universities DoD Labs

DDR&E External Research

Strategy Cell Advisory Panel Community

Application-driven Curiosity-driven
Basic Research Strategy Basic Research Strategy
Strategic Guidance

Basic Science Office

DBRAG

AFOSR ARL ONR DTRA DARPA MDA

• University visits and advisory panel  connections to the

research community
• New Connections to the DDR&E Strategic Cell
• More directed guidance to the OXRs 3
 DoD Basic Research Enterprise
($ Millions)

DoD Total FY10 Basic Research Budget = $1.8B

4
 Air Force Research Laboratory

The Air Force’s Corporate Research and Development Laboratory

5
 AFOSR Mission

Discover, shape, and champion basic science

that profoundly impacts the future Air Force

• ID Breakthrough Research Opportunities –

Here & Abroad
• Foster Revolutionary Basic Research for Air
Force Needs
• Transition Technologies to DoD and Industry

TODAY’S BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE FOR TOMORROW’S AIR FORCE

6
 Basic Research (Focus Areas)
(FY11PB - $351M)
Aerospace, Chemical & Physics &
Material Sciences
• Aero-Structure Interations &
Electronics
Control • Complex Electronics &
• Energy, Power & Propulsion Fundamental Quantum
• Complex Materials & Processes
Structures • Plasma Physics & High
Energy Density
32.8% 31.8% • Optics, EM, Comm,
Signals Processing

University Research
35.4%
Initiatives
(FY11PB - $136M)

Mathematics, Information &

Life Sciences
• Info & Complex Networks
• Decision Making
• Dynamical Sys, Optimization & Control
• Natural Materials & Systems 7 7
 AFOSR Roles
AF Basic Research Manager
• Identify Breakthrough Research Opportunities – Here & Abroad
- Regular interactions with leading scientists and engineers
- Int’l liaison offices in Europe, Asia, Latin America
- 227 short-term foreign visitors; 22 personnel exchanges
- 96 summer faculty; 50 postdocs/senior scientists at AFRL

• Foster Revolutionary Basic Research for Air Force Needs

- 1327 extramural research grants at 228 U.S. universities
- 268 intramural research projects at AFRL, USAFA, AFIT
- 153 STTR small business - university contracts
- 590 fellowships; 2224 grad students, 344 post-docs on grants

• Transition Technologies to DOD and Industry

- 64 workshops conducted; 195 conferences co-sponsored
- 700 funded transitions (follow-on-uses) from FY10 PI data call
8
 Contents

• DoD Basic Sciences and

AFOSR Overview
• Research Focus Areas;
Transitions
• STEM Activities
• AFOSR International
Program
9
 Trends in AFOSR Emphasis
RED = PBD709 Topics
• Advanced Mathematics BLUE = Tech Horizons
• Hypersonics (Turbulence Control) Grand Challenges
GREEN = Both
• Complex, Multi-Functional Materials
• High-Temperature Superconductivity
• Info Assurance and Network Sciences
• Micro Air Vehicles (Autonomy, Adaptive Aero)
• Interfacial Sciences (Thermal, Tribology)
• Counter-Directed Energy Weapons
• Robust Decision-Making, Info Fusion
• Socio-Cultural Modeling, Minerva
• Quantum Information Sciences
• Space Situational Awareness
• fs-Laser Material Interactions
• Artificial Intelligence
10
 Invest in AF “Technology
Horizons” Research Areas
• PBD 709 Topic Enhancements Tech Horizons Grand Challenges
- Information Assurance
1. Inherently Intrusion-
- Interacting Complex Networks Resistant Cyber Networks
- Artificial Intelligence 2. Trusted Highly-Autonomous
- Socio-Cultural Modeling Decision-Making Systems
• Materials and Processes Far from 3. Fractionated, Composable,
Equilibrium Survivable Remote-Piloted
- Physics and Chemistry of Surfaces in Systems
Highly Stressed Environments 4. Hyper-Precision Air Delivery
- Small Molecule Activation in Difficult Environments
- Extreme Optics
• Transformational Computing
- Neural Computing
- Bio-Inspired Distributed Control Sys.
- Beyond Moore’s Law Electronics
- Multiscale Modeling 11
 Basic Research Focus Areas
Aerospace, Chemical & Physics & Math, Information
Materials Sciences Electronics & Life Sciences
(RSA) (RSE) (RSL)

• Aero-Structure • Complex Electronics • Information and

Interactions and and Fundamental Complex Networks
Control Quantum Processes
• Decision Making
• Energy, Power, and • Plasma Physics and
High Energy Density • Dynamical Systems,
Propulsion
Nonequilibrium Optimization, and
• Complex Materials Processes Control
and Structures
• Optics, Electro- • Natural Materials
magnetics, and Systems
Communication, and
Signal Processing

12
 Aero-Structure Interactions and
Control
• Objective: Characterization, modeling, and exploitation of
interactions between unsteady aerodynamic flow fields and
dynamic air vehicle structures.
• Critical Subjects Include:
- Turbulence and laminar-turbulent transition
- Flow control
- Unsteady aerodynamics
- Structural dynamics
-
Aero elasticity
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Autonomous Systems
- High-Temperature Materials
- Structural Modeling and Simulations
30 kW Inductively Coupled Plasma Facility
- High Speed Turbines for High Temperature Material Testing
- Advanced Aerodynamic Configurations 13
 Aero-Structure Interactions &
Control
• Hypersonics Research - Long Range
Strike Weapon (CC): Advance fluid
physics knowledge base and resultant
predictive tools for hypersonic and
boundary layer flows required to design
future AF systems.
• High-Fidelity Simulations: Model-free
simulations of >Mach 3 shock/turbulent
boundary layer interactions provide
physical insight for development of
reduced order models.
• Micro-Robotic Fly: Research to
understand how wing design can impact
performance for an insect-size, flapping-
wing vehicle for monitoring & exploration. 14
 Energy, Power, and Propulsion

• Objective: Focus on the production, storage, and efficient

utilization of energy.
• Critical Subjects Include:
- Novel energetic materials
- Combustion research
- Thermal science
- Novel propulsion methods
- Catalysis chemistry
- New ways in which energy can be
produced/collected/stored/utilized
• Tech Horizons KTAs: Blue light (465 nm) is used to
- Alternative Fuels convert CO2 to alcohols with a
- Spacecraft Propulsion substituted pyradine catalyst
- Energy Storage and a p-GaP electrode.
- Thermal Management Components
- Hydrocarbon Boost Engine 15
 Energy, Power, and Propulsion
• Tungsten Metal Matrix Composite –
Responsive Reusuable Booster For Space
Access (FCC): Synthesized dense, high melting
ceramic metal composites with tailorable near
net 3D shapes, phase contents, & micro-
structures for enhanced performance in rocket
nozzle.
• Mini-Thrusters for Satellite Propulsion:
Miniature, electric propulsion systems are being
developed for small satellites, including
CubeSats, to perform space maneuvers and
undertake formidable tasks.
• Carbon Dioxide to Fuels: Develop new
electrocatalysts to efficiently produce alcohols
and carbon-carbon bonded products from CO2
and sunlight feedstocks.
16
 Complex Materials and Structures

• Objective: Future materials and structures that incorporate

hierarchical design and functionality from the nanoscale
through the mesoscale to effect functionality and/or
performance characteristics to enhance the mission
versatility of future air and space systems.
• Critical Subjects Include:
– Materials with tunable properties
– Adaptive morphing structures
– Active materials with on-demand
shape and phase change
– Reconfigurable structures
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Nanomaterials
- Directed Energy Protection 3D Pillared CNT/Graphene Nano Structure

- Light Weight Multi-functional Materials

- Health Monitoring and Prognosis 17
 Complex Materials and Structures

• Nonlinear Light Absorbing Materials –

Crew Protection Against Laser (CC):
Developed high performance liquid crystal
materials and modeling of ultrashort laser
pulses through protective media.
• Plastic Magnets: Research to create
plastic magnets from organic materials to
absorb electromagnetic radiation in various
environments.
• Active Knit Structures: Highly leveraged
architecture allows for large strains (41% -
51%) at moderate forces (1.2 N – 2.9 N).
To design novel actuators and morphing Loop Central Axis
Y Diameter, d

aircraft structures.
C R

B
C
D
O
C/2
b
A
O g X
W/4
a P

W/2
18
 Information and Complex Networks
• Objective: Reliable and secure exchange of information
and predictable operation of networks and systems.
• Critical Subjects Include:
- System and network performance
prediction, design and analysis
- Predict and manage network failure
comprehensively
- Information operations and security
- Integration of models of computation and
cognition for the specification and design
of complex human-machine systems
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Agile Networks
- Quantum Computing
Network Map
- Complex Adaptive Systems
- Virtual Machine Architecture
- Information Fusion and Understanding 19
 Information and Complex Networks

• Secure Mobile Quantum Comm-

Selective Cyber Ops Tech Integration
(FCC): Research on long-distance,
mobile optical links imperative for secure
quantum communications capabilities in
theater.
• Super Fast Computing: Developing
innovative components for quantum, or
super-fast, computers that will improve
security for data storage and transmission.
• New Wireless Network: Research on a
new type of telecommunications network
that does not have a backbone of cell
phone towers or other fixed structures.
20
 Decision Making
• Objective: Discovery of mathematical laws, foundational
scientific principles, and new, reliable and robust algorithms,
which underlie intelligent, mixed human-machine decision
making.
• Critical Subjects Include:
– Robust human-machine decision making
– Socio-cultural modeling Critical

– Mathematical analysis and models of individual Information

human cognition and collective behaviorCombining

sensor, intelligence, and database information
resources to formulate hypotheses about adversaries’
intensions, information fusion
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Cognitive Modeling
- Human-machine Interfaces
- Autonomous Reasoning and Learning
- Collaborative and Cooperative Control
- Social, Cultural, Human Behavior Modeling 21
 Decision Making
AOC and LFE

• ACT-R Cognitive Model - LVC Training & Irregular Ops ISR Training
Training and Ops

Assessment (CC): Develop a system which

can perform the full range of human cognitive
tasks: capturing in great detail the way we Cyber Ops

perceive, think about, and act on the world. Metrics and Measurement
Coalition
Mission Ops

• Capturing Black Swans: Developed new Manned and Unmanned Ops

tools in probability and statistics for ranking

risks, realistic prioritization to catastrophic
events, making decisions under unpredictable
conditions preceding an event and evaluating
the economic after-effects of a disaster.
• Optimized Mission Control of UAV:
Automated UAVs adapt their actions more
rapidly in response to unforeseen events and
ultimately require less human supervision.
22
 Dynamical Systems,
Optimization, and Control
• To provide advances in in the science of autonomy including
adaptive control for coordinating heterogeneous autonomous
or semi-autonomous aerospace vehicles in uncertain,
information rich, dynamically changing, adversarial, and
networked environments.
• Critical Subjects Include:
- Embedded optimization
- Dynamical systems theory
- Reliable scalable algorithms
- Computational and discrete mathematics
- Management of the effects of uncertainties
- Robust adaptive control of complex systems
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Massive Analytics Simulation: 400 agents converge to
equilibrium under the Adaptive NCE
- Resilient Autonomy Control Law

- Complex System Dynamics

- Autonomous Mission Planning
- Coupled Multi-Physics Simulations 23
 Dynamical Systems,
Optimization, and Control
• High Speed Impact Dynamics – Higher
Velocity Penetrating Weapons (FCC):
Developed MEMS accelerometers to measure
high accelerations and constitutive equations,
reaction characteristics, stress-induced reaction
criteria by using molecular dynamics and multi-
scale modeling.
• Multifunctional Tribological Systems:
Developed knowledge of temperature effects in
friction that offer improved reliability of moving
mechanical assemblies during extreme
temperature operation.
• Nonlinear Dynamics and Control: Develop a
systematic methodology for designing feedback
laws that can shape the steady-state behavior
of complex dynamical systems. 24
 Natural Materials and Systems

• Objective: Studying, using, mimicking, or altering the novel

ways that natural systems build exquisite materials and
sensors that often outperform manmade versions and
perform under extreme conditions.
• Critical Subjects Include:
– Biomimetics of materials and flight
– Sensors
– Interfaces
– Extremophiles
– Bioenergy
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Alternative Fuels
- Self-Healing Materials bfloGFP, a new family of fluorescent
- RF and Electronic Materials proteins from lancelet cephalochordate
amphioxus
- Optical and Infrared Materials
- Advanced Light Weight Materials
25
 Natural Materials and Systems
• Reduced Signature Target Recognition –
Low Observables Maintainability (CC):
Research on multi-resolution processing,
nonlinear signal processing, computational
electromagnetics, fusion, advanced imaging
techniques and inverse processing.
• Artificial Photosynthesis: Discovered new
method to split and store hydrogen and
oxygen using solar energy. New method is
cheap, efficient and easy to manufacture.
• Biofuels - Algal Oil: Research photosynthetic
and lipid biosynthetic pathways of microalgae.
Isolated and screened1,200 algal strains for oil
yield and identified 50 candidate strains for
future studies.
26
 Complex Electronics and
Fundamental Quantum Processes
• Objective: Pursue breakthroughs in information processing, secure
communication, multi-modal sensing, computer memory, high speed
communication and computing through exploration and understand of
complex engineered materials and devices.
• Critical Subjects Include: – High Energy, Semiconductor and
– Non-linear Optical Materials Ultrafast Lasers
– Optoelectronics and Nanophotonics – High temperature Superconductors
– Ultracold Atoms & Molecules – Quantum Dots and Wells
– Metamaterials & Graphene
– Dielectric and Magnetic Materials

• Tech Horizons KTAs:

- Chip-scale Atomic Clocks
- Laser Communications
- Quantum Key Distribution
- High Temperature Electronics
- Signal Identification and Recognition Atomic-Layer Molecular Beam Epitaxy System
27
 Complex Electronics and
Fundamental Quantum Processes
• Integrated Sensor Research – Blue Devil
(CC):Tested the operational value of real-time
WAAS imagery coupled with precision
SIGINT and high-resolution full-motion video,
and networked with other sensors.
• New Iron-Based Superconductors: New
superconductor with Tc = 23 K found in the
Fe/Pt intermetallic transition metal-pnictide
system. Explore layered metallic systems for
optimal synergy between superconducting,
magnetic, and structural instabilities.
• Carbon Nanostructures for Electronics:
Research to discover new logic gates, highly
efficient photovoltaic cells, electrically and
optically driven lasers, and quantum optical
light sources. 28
 Plasmas and High Energy Density
Nonequilibrium Processes
• Objective: Pursue understanding of fundamental plasma,
non-linear electromagnetic phenomena, and the non-linear
response of materials to high electric and magnetic fields.
• Critical Subjects Include:
– Space weather
– Plasma discharges & non-equilibrium
chemistry/thermo
– Plasma control of boundary layers in turbulent
flow
– RF propagation and RF-plasma interaction
– High power beam-driven microwave devices
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Advanced RF Apertures
- Directed Energy Effects The simulated heliosphere during the
Halloween storms.
- Radiation Hardened Electronics
- High Power Microwaves
- Orbital Environment Characterization 29
 Plasmas and High Energy Density
Nonequilibrium Processes
• Improved Concurrent Electromagnetic
Particle In Cell for CHAMP – (CC):
Developed fast, efficient results from the
ICEPIC code are key to the AFRL efforts to
design high power microwave sources for
electronic warfare and non-lethal weaponry.
• Relativistic Magnetron: To develop more
compact magnetrons that operate at higher
power and higher frequencies and those
could be used to jam and defeat enemy
electronics.
• Advanced Metamaterials: Developing
reconfigurable memory metamaterials and
broad band, low-loss metamaterial beam-
steering element designed for microwave
frequencies. 30
 Optics, Electromagnetics,
Communication, & Signal Processing
• Objective: Pursue understanding of complex electro-magnetic and
electro-optical signals impacting space object imaging, secure reliable
communication, on-demand sensing modalities, distributed multilayered
sensing, automatic target recognition, and navigation.
• Critical Subjects Include:
– Adaptive Optics and Optical Imaging
– Laser Phenomenology
– Precision Navigation and Timing
– Sophisticated mathematics and algorithm
development for extracting information from
complex and/or sparse signals
• Tech Horizons KTAs:
- Secure RF Links
- Semiconductor Lasers
- Dynamic Spectrum Access
- Integrated Sensing and Processing
- Cold Atom Inertial Navigation System 31
 Optics, Electromagnetics,
Communication & Signal Processing
• Aero-Optics for ELLA (CC):
Discovered relationship between spatial
and temporal frequencies of distorted
wavefront for a laser propagating
through turbulent, variable-index flows.
• Optical Refrigeration: Created first-
ever all-solid-state cryocooler applicable
to air and space sensors. It allows
coolers to reach temp below 150K
which can only be obtained by
liquefying gases.
• Terahertz Laser: Demonstrated a new
terahertz semiconductor laser that emits
beams with a much smaller divergence
than conventional THz laser sources. 32
 Six Disruptive Basic Research Areas

The Honorable Zachary J. Lemnios (Assist Sec Def (R&E)) identified

following six as high priority basic research topics:

1. Metamaterials and Plasmonics

2. Quantum Information Science Creates new
3. Cognitive Neuroscience foundations for new
4. Nanoscience and Nanoengineering disruptive technologies
5. Synthetic Biology and solving formerly
6. Computational Modeling of Human and unsolvable problems
Social Behavior

 Five goals for DoD to strengthen the defense basic research program:
• Provide scientific leadership for the DoD basic research enterprise
• Attract the Nation’s best S&Es to contribute to and lead DoD research
• Ensure the coherence and balance of the DoD basic research portfolio
• Foster connections between DoD performers and the DoD community
• Maximize the discovery potential of the defense research business
environment 33
 Disruptive Basic Research Areas
1. Metamaterials & Plasmonics:
Engineered design of basic properties and
transport of energy/information in materials
and structures.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Efficiently convert optical radiation into
localized energy, and vice versa.
- Enhancing local photophysical processes
- Precise assembly & fabrication of
hierarchical 3-D photonic
- Integrating plasmonics with
nanostructured semiconductor devices
2. Quantum Information Science:
Manipulate and control nature down to
the precision of a single quantum.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Maintain quantum coherence over time
- Discovering new algorithms that fully
exploit QIS for new capabilities
- New techniques to control quantum
systems
- New materials, fabrication for long
coherence time
34
 Metamaterials and Plasmonics

• Hyperspectral Mid-IR Detectors:

Understanding of plasmonic characteristics
has led to new inventions of laser nano-
antenna and hyperspectral Mid-IR
detectors.
• GHz/THz Plasmonic Circuits: Developing
passive components (inductor & resonator)
in communication circuits and high-
performance GHz/THz oscillators and
tunable multi-spectral THz detector arrays.
• Terahertz Laser: Advances in meta-
materials may lead to a new semiconductor
laser suitable for security screening,
chemical/bio sensing, and astronomy.
35
 Quantum Information Science

• Atom-Interferometry for Jam-Free

Gyroscopes: Developed of an inertial
navigation on chip that is jam-proof, non-
emanating, stand-alone, miniature PNT
navigation system.
• Super Fast Computing: Developing
innovative components for quantum, or
super-fast, computers that will improve
security for data storage and transmission.
• Ultracold Molecules: May lead to
development of quantum computers (>100
GHz clock speeds), which will improve
cryptoanalysis, microwave electronics and
material sciences.
36
 Disruptive Basic Research Areas
3. Cognitive Neuroscience:
More deeply understand and more fully
exploit the fundamental mechanisms of the
brain.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Solving the inverse problem of predicting
human behavior from brain signals
- Translating clinical measurements &
analyses to uninjured personnel
- Developing models incorporating
individual brain variability
Map of brain interconnectivity as measured by
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
4. Nanoscience & Nano-
engineering: Advanced materials and
manufacturing processes are built using
control at the nanoscale.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Understand physical, chemical, and
biological properties at nanoscale
- Develop nano-manufacturing using
designed molecular assemblies,
processing of information using
photons or electron spin
- Detection of chemicals or bioagents
using only a few molecules
37
 Nanoscience & Nanoengineering

• Ultra-Small Displays: Nanostructuring

technology created the smallest pixels
available that will enable LED, projected
and wearable displays to be more energy
efficient
• Nanotube Artificial Muscles: Carbon
nanotube artificial muscles can provide a
hundred times the force generation
capability of natural muscles and twice the
rate capability.
• Carbon Nanostrcutures: Investigate
single molecules, nano-crystals, nanowires,
and their arrays to find a "bridging" material
that has a stable structure for making
molecular-level bonds. 38
 Disruptive Basic Research Areas

5. Synthetic Biology: 6. Computational Models of

The promise of engineered biology for a
multitude of applications.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Modeling and simulation to address
complexity of pathways
- Automation of trials
- Selection of appropriate host cell
compatible with synthetic genome
- Regulation and societal acceptance
Human Behavior: A fundamental
understanding and predictive capability of
human behavior dynamics from
individuals to societies.
• Key Research Challenges:
- Conflicting theories
- Data management and fusion
- Mathematical complexity
- Validation of models

BIOFUELS:
AFOSR Biofuel program
involved in a systems
biology approach to map
out and model natural
pathways/networks and to
target certain pathways for
genetic alteration via
metabolic engineering. 39
 Bio-Inspired Systems

• Spider Silk Research: Researchers have

been created artificial spider silk that is
stronger, flexible, and biodegradable. Silk has
unusual mechanical & optical properties for
thin film devices or to improve body armor.
• Biofuels Research:
Investigating ways to produce large quantities
of hydrogen gas using photosynthetic
microbes, commonly known as algae and
cyanobacteria.
• Extremeophile Research: Understanding
manganese complexes in bacterium that may
provides resistance to damaging effects of
radiation that offer protection to airmen from
environmental hazards.
40
 Computational Model of Human
Behavior
• C2 Wind Tunnel: Model integration uses
meta-modeling - “model of the model” allows
for creating model templates, allows for easier
integration of diverse models. Successful
demonstration at HQ 8AF of C2WT integrated
with adversary modeling.
• Capturing Black Swans: Developed new
tools in probability and statistics for ranking
risks, realistic prioritization to catastrophic
events, making decisions under unpredictable
conditions preceding an event and evaluating
the economic after-effects of a disaster.
• Sacred Values: Adversarial reasoning about
hypothetical peace agreement involving
sacred values. Resistance to tradeoffs
between the sacred and the secular.
41
 Contents

• DoD Basic Sciences and

AFOSR Overview
• Research Focus Areas;
Transitions
• STEM Activities
• AFOSR International ASSURE site at Fort Johnson, NY
Program
42
 AFOSR Supports University
Individual Investigators
• Goals
– Provide revolutionary scientific breakthroughs to maintain
military air, space, and information superiority
– Build collaborations between AFRL and universities
• General Submission Process
– Researchers submit white papers to AFOSR program
managers
– Promising white papers lead to request for full proposals
– Proposals merit reviewed for excellence and relevance
– Individual grants awarded for up to 5-years in duration
• Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) open at all times to
innovative ideas http://www.afosr.af.mil
43
 Multidisciplinary University
Research Initiative (MURI)

• Achieve significant scientific advances

– Capture attention of top researchers
– Build on results of individual-researcher grants
– Encourage multidisciplinary collaboration
• Up to $1.5M/yr for five years
• Typically 8-10 research topics per Service
– Occasional joint topics
– One or two awards per topic
• Currently there are 61 AFOSR MURI Projects (FY05-09)
– 10 new projects in FY10
44
 AFOSR Supports Tomorrow’s S&Es
for the Air Force
• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists & Engineers
(PECASE)
– Recognizes outstanding young researcher
– 5-year awards $200K/year
• Young Investigator Program (YIP)
– Develops long-term relationships with junior PIs
– 127 awards since FY07; 43 awards planned in FY11
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate
Fellowship (NDSEG) Program
– Supporting 590 PhD-track graduate students in DoD relevant fields
• Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research
Experience (ASSURE)
– Provides 550 undergraduates with research opportunities in S&E
fields of DoD interest during summer months
45
 AFOSR Supports Tomorrow’s S&Es
for the Air Force
• NRC Resident Research Associates (Post-Doc Program)
- Offers postdoctoral and senior S&E opportunities to perform
research at sponsoring TDs (50 Associates in the program)
• Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP)
- Offers fellowships to faculty and students to conduct research at
AFRL in the summer (96 Faculty & 22 Grad Students)
• Defense University Research Instrumentation Program
(DURIP)
- Provides specialized research equipment to U.S. universities
- 48 awarded in FY10, median award $200K
• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
- Provides up to $850,000 for early-stage R&D directly to small
companies working cooperatively with research institutions
- FY10 : 112 Phase I & 41 Phase II projects ; $40.2M total funds 46
 National Security Science and
Engineering Faculty Fellowships
• DDR&E program, managed by AFOSR
• Objectives
- Excellent unclassified basic research on topics of interest to DoD
- Long-term relationships with outstanding faculty and students
- Familiarity with DoD missions, technologies, and challenges
- Cadre of technical experts for DoD advisory groups
• Award Information (Eleven awards in FY10)
- Single-investigator awards up to $850K/yr for up to 5 years
- Open to faculty at US doctoral degree-granting institutions
- US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply
• Application process (more info at http://nsseff.ida.org/)
- Letter of intent to nominate from home institution
- Formal nomination letter and white paper
- Full proposal and oral presentation (by invitation only)
47
 University Nanosatellite Program

• Program started in 1999 (NanoSat -1) Nanosat-7

Competition
• Develop “Space Scholars” at U.S. universities Started!

• Develop militarily-relevant small satellite technologies

• Develop US university space research capabilities
• Teach “hands-on” systems engineering through design,
integration, test, launch and on-orbit operation of
student-built nanosatellites

Univ Texas FASTRAC satellite

launched by Minotaur rocket
on 19Nov10. Project span 7
years and over 120 students. Background: Nanosat-2 launch on Delta 4 Heavy (2004) 48
 Contents

• DoD Basic Sciences

and AFOSR Overview
• Research Focus Areas;
Transitions
• STEM Activities
• AFOSR International
Program Hypersonic International Flight Research
Experimentation (HIFiRE), is investigating
the fundamental science of hypersonics
technology and its potential for next
generation aeronautical systems.

49
 AFOSR International Enterprise

SOARD
SOUTHERN OFFICE OF AEROSPACE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
• Building international Santiago
• Avoiding technological
goodwill surprise
• Strengthening • Accelerating S&T
partnerships achievements and
transitions to the US

EOARD
EUROPEAN OFFICE OF AERSOPACE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
London AOARD
ASIAN OFFICE OF AEROSPACE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Tokyo

The Sun Never Sets on AFOSR

50
 THREAT: US share of global R&D investment
steadily decreasing (1998* to 2008**)

2%
Canada Europeane
2%
an Union
25%
S. Korea
2008 China 3%
11% Taiwan
USA
35% 1%

Japan
India 13%
* UIS S&T database; World Bank - PPP data
2%
Other Australia
Africa
Americas <1% 1%
3%
26%
1998
2%
3%
2%
3% +99%
42% 1% 17%

2%
3% <1% 1%

** OECD 2007 PPP; 2009 Global R&D Projection (Battelle and R&D Magazine) – Graphics Ms. Jeanette Romero
51
 China’s Growth in S&T

• China has experienced the

strongest growth in scientific
research over the past three
decades of any country
• China, India & Russia - research
strengths tend to be in the
China’s “awe-inspiring” growth had put
it in second place to the US – and if it physical sciences, chemistry
continues on its trajectory it will be the and engineering
largest producer of scientific knowledge • Brazil – strength in life sciences,
by 2020. - Jonathan Adams, Thomson agriculture and environmental
Reuters research, especially in biofuels
research 52
 Emerging Direction

S&T Rest of
U.S. 32% 68%
the World
• Opportunities
– Mexico, Taiwan & Korea Nanoscience Initiatives
– Canadian MURI Participation
– Russian Plasma Dynamics Initiative
• That 68%
– Where is it?
– What are our Common Interests?
– Interest in Collaborative Funding?
China is becoming S&T power – Need to engage their S&T
community – WOS, CSP, small research grants
53
 International Research
Achievements
• Agent-Based Computing in Distributed Adversarial
Planning: Michal Pechoucek, Czech Tech Univ
(EOARD)
A decision-making process through which an agent
constructs a sequence of actions (possibly consisting
of a single action only) leading to the desirable goal
state of the world in an adversarial situation.
• Biomimetic Silicon Nanostructure: Li-Chyong
Chen, National Taiwan University, (AOARD)
Created nanostructure (nanotip) surfaces which
mimic moth eye and surpass its function in anti-
reflection in that they absorb almost all incident light.
• Laser-Induced Air Breakdown in Hypersonic
Flow: Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil (SOARD)
Experimental study of hypersonic flow. Gearing up
collaboration with Australian hypersonic project
HIFIRE .
1 Apr 10 54
 Assure Quality Transitions
• Perform comprehensive scientific opportunity search
– Meetings with numerous researchers – AFRL, elsewhere
– Interactions with other basic research funding agencies
• Assure that science in each portfolio is of high quality
AFOSR Sponsored 70
– SAB review, AFOSR Spring review, external reviewers Nobel Laureates

– AFOSR Director discussions with leaders in the field

• Collect evidence of 6.1 funded activities transitions
– Other agencies fund activities initiated by AFOSR
(FY2010, 66% Response Rate) 2010 Nobel Prize in
Number of Follow-on Uses

Physics - Andre Geim &

Konstantin Novoselov
University of Manchester

1997 Nobel Prize in

Physics - Steven Chu
Dept of Energy 55
 Concluding Remarks

AFOSR continues to discover, shape, and

champion basic science that profoundly
impacts the future Air Force
• Supporting world-class basic research
• Educating tomorrow’s scientific leaders
• Providing meaningful transitions now
• Filling pipeline for future transitions
“There are those who say we can't afford to invest in science, that it's a
luxury at a moment defined by necessities. I could not disagree more.
Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, and our health,
and our way of life than it has ever been.” – President Obama
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