Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies

Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies is sponsored by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Funds research in advanced manufacturing and materials for air/space platforms, including additive manufacturing innovations for extreme environments like lunar regolith. This program should be reviewed carefully against your organization's mission, staffing capacity, timeline, and compliance readiness before you commit resources to a full application. Strong submissions usually translate sponsor priorities into concrete objectives, clear implementation milestones, and measurable public benefit.

For planning purposes, treat rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows as your working submission target unless the sponsor publishes an updated notice. A competitive project plan should include a documented need statement, implementation approach, evaluation framework, risk controls, and a realistic budget narrative. Even when a grant allows broad program design, reviewers still expect credible evidence that the proposed work can be executed within the grant period and with appropriate accountability.

Current published award information indicates $100,000 - $1,000,000 Organizations should verify the final funding range, matching requirements, and allowability rules directly in the official opportunity materials before preparing a budget. Finance and program teams should align early so direct costs, indirect costs, staffing assumptions, procurement timelines, and reporting obligations all remain consistent throughout drafting and post-award administration.

Eligibility guidance for this opportunity is: Universities, FFRDCs, nonprofits If your organization has partnerships, subrecipients, or collaborators, define responsibilities and compliance ownership before submission. Reviewers often look for implementation credibility, so letters of commitment, prior performance evidence, and a clear governance model can materially strengthen the application narrative and reduce concerns about delivery risk.

A practical approach is to begin with a focused readiness review, then build a workback schedule from the sponsor deadline. Confirm required attachments, registration dependencies, and internal approval checkpoints early. This reduces last-minute issues and improves submission quality. For the most accurate requirements, always rely on the official notice and primary source links associated with Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies.

FA9550 -23 -S-0001 1 of 94 AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT 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). FA9550 -23 -S-0001 2 of 94 SUMMARY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION 1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY NAME Air Force Office of Scientific Research 875 North Randolph Street, STE 325, Room 3112 2.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research FA9550-23-S-0001 Amendment 0002 5. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER 12. 800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program 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. FA9550 -23 -S-0001 3 of 94 A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................

5 A. 1. ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS (RTA1) ........................................................

5 A. 1. a.

Dynamic Materials and Interactions .................................................................................... 6 A. 1.

b. GHz-THz Electronics ............................................................................................................ 7 A.

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

8 A. 1. d.

Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows ................................................................ .. 10 A.

1. e. High-Speed Aerodynamics ................................................................................................

.. 11 A. 1.

f. Aerospace Composite Materials .......................................................................................... 13 A.

1. g. Multiscale Structural Mechanics andPrognosis ................................................................

14 A. 1. h.

Propulsion and Power ......................................................................................................... 15 A. 1.

i. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) .................................................................... 17 A.

2. INFORMATION AND NETWORKS (RTA2) ....................................................................... 18 A.

2. a. Computational Cognition and MachineIntelligence .........................................................

19 A. 2. b.

Computational Mathematics ............................................................................................... 21 A. 2.

c. Dynamical Systems and Control Theory ........................................................................... 23 A.

2. d. Dynamic Data and Information Processing ......................................................................

24 A. 2. e.

Information Assurance and Cybersecurity ....................................................................... 26 A. 2.

f. Mathematical Optimization ................................................................................................ .

27 A. 2. g.

Science of Information, Computation, Learning, and Fusion .......................................... 28 A. 2.

h. Trust and Influence .............................................................................................................. 29 A.

2. i. Complex Networks ...............................................................................................................

31 A. 2. j.

Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience ...................................................................... 33 A. 3.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES (RTB1) ............................................................................................. 34 A. 3.

a. Aerospace Materials for Extreme Environments .............................................................. 35 A.

3. b. Atomic and Molecular Physics ...........................................................................................

37 A. 3. c.

Electromagnetics .................................................................................................................. 37 A. 3.

d. Optoelectronics and Photonics ............................................................................................ 38 A.

3. e. High Energy Radiation Matter Systems ............................................................................

40 A. 3. f.

Quantum Information Sciences ........................................................................................... 41 A. 3.

g. Physics of Sensing ................................................................................................................ 42 A.

3. h. Space Science .......................................................................................................................

43 A. 3. i.

Ultrashort Pulse Laser-Matter Interactions ....................................................................... 44 A. 3.

j. Condensed Matter Physics ................................................................................................ ...

45 A. 3. k.

Astrodynamics ..................................................................................................................... 46 A. 4.

CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (RTB2) ..................................................... 47 A. 4.

a. Biophysics ............................................................................................................................. 48 A.

4. b. Human Performance and Biosystems ................................................................................

49 A. 4. c.

Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Microsystems ............................................ 51 A. 4.

d. Molecular Dynamics and Theoretical Chemistry .............................................................. 52 A.

4. e. Natural Materials and Systems ...........................................................................................

54 A. 4. f.

Organic Materials Chemistry .............................................................................................. 55 A. 5.

AFOSR INTERNATIONAL OFFICES (IO) ......................................................................... 57 A. 5.

a. European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD), London, United Kingdom .................................................................................................................................... 58 A.

5. b. Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD), Tokyo, Japan ........

58 A. 5. c.

Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD), Santiago, Chile58 A. 6. OTHER INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CONCEPTS .............................................................

58 A. 7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM (ISEP) ....................................

58 B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 60 C.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 62 FA9550 -23 -S-0001 4 of 94 C. 1.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ....................................................................................................... 62 C. 2.

COST SHARING ...................................................................................................................... 62 C. 3.

OTHER ..................................................................................................................................... 62 D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ...............................................................

65 D. 1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE .....................................................

65 D. 2. CONTENT AND FORM OFAPPLICATION SUBMISSION .............................................

65 D. 3. GRANTS.

GOV APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND RECEIPT PROCEDURES .......... 67 D. 4.

COMPONENT PIECES OF THE APPLICATION .............................................................. 70 D. 5.

INFORMATION YOU MUST SUBMIT IF SELECTED FOR POSSIBLE AWARD ....... 79 D. 6.

UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI), CAGE, AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) ............................................................................................................ 79 D. 7.

SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES ...................................................................................... 80 D. 8.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW ................................................................................... 81 D. 9.

FUNDING RESTRICTION ..................................................................................................... 81 D. 10.

OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 83 D. 11.

CRITERIA .............................................................................................................................. 84 D. 12.

REVIEW AND SELECTIONPROCESS ............................................................................. 84 D. 13.

DISCLOSURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING BY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL ............................................................................................................................. 85 D. 14.

NO GUARANTEED AWARD ............................................................................................... 85 E. FEDERAL AWARDADMINISTRATION INFORMATION .......................................................

86 E. 1. SELECTION NOTICES ..........................................................................................................

86 E. 2. AWARD NOTICIES .................................................................................................................

86 E. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS ..............................

86 E. 4. REPORTING ............................................................................................................................

90 F. AGENCY CONTACTS .................................................................................................................... 92 F.

2. OMBUDSMAN ......................................................................................................................... 93 F.

3. GRANTS AND CONTRACTING OFFICERS AUTHORITY ............................................. 94 F.

4. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................ 94 FA9550 -23 -S-0001 5 of 94 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 (Acting) Dr. Chiping Li A.

1. b. GHz-THz Electronics Dr.

Kenneth C. Goretta A. 1.

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

d. Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Dr. Gregg Abate FA9550 -23 -S-0001 6 of 94 A.

1. e. High-Speed Aerodynamics Dr.

Sarah Popkin A. 1. f.

Aerospace Composite Materials Dr. Ming-Jen Pan A. 1.

g. Multiscale Structural Mechanics and Prognosis (Acting) Lt Col Matthew Krisak A. 1.

h. Propulsion and Power Dr. Justin Koo A.

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

FA9550 -23 -S-0001 7 of 94 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.

DR. CHIPING LI, AFOSR/RTA1 Email: dynamicmaterials@us. af.

mil 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 FA9550 -23 -S-0001 8 of 94 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 in all regions of device operation.

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 or superconducting transport and effects of various fields and device configurations Efficiency, volume, speed, and power 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 (3) to five (5) year effort. DR. KENNETH C.

GORETTA, AFOSR/RTA1 E-mail: ghz. thz@us. af.

mil A. 1. c.

Energy, Combustion and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics Program Description: This portfolio addresses energy needs of Air Force aerospace systems for the propulsion and non-propulsive functions of increasingly significant energy requirements. The portfolio emphasizes three foundational elements: (1) Fundamental, (2) Relevant, and (3) Game-Changing, i. e.

: starting from establishing fundamental scientific understanding and quantifying rate-controlling processes, focusing on Air Force/Space Force interests and relevant conditions, encouraging multi-disciplinary collaborations, interactions and unconventional and innovative thinking, leading to game-changing concepts and predictive capabilities for the Air Force and Space Force Basic Research Objectives: Research topics in this portfolio include all energy aspects relevant to Air Force and Space Force needs, combustion and otherwise, with the following sub-areas : Fundamental Combustion Understanding in Air Force Relevant Regimes: Combustion is the primary conversion process to supply energy for propulsion and other functions of aerospace systems such as planes, rockets, hypersonic and UAV systems.

In these systems, the fuel combustion process occurs at highly turbulent flow conditions, governed by underlying molecular changes from high-energy states to lower ones, generating usable energy for system functions. The key turbulent FA9550 -23 -S-0001 9 of 94 combustion attributes are critical in determining operability, performance, size and weight of such systems.

The understanding of these key attributes and the quantification of the inherent rate-controlling processes provide the scientific foundation of modeling/simulation capabilities needed for the design of new generations of AF aerospace systems.

Based on recent progresses in understanding/modeling key chemical reaction pathways in combusting AF/DOD fuels and in exploring key attributes of turbulent flame structure and dynamics at relevant conditions, the turbulent combustion part of the portfolio currently focuses on exploring, understanding and qualifying the turbulent-chemistry interactions using physical and numerical experiments.

This includes but is not limited to: • Effects of turbulence on rate-controlling properties/processes of fuel combustion chemistry; • Turbulent production by the energy release from combustion chemical reactions; • Spatial/temporal scale interactions of turbulence structures and dynamics; • Diagnostics for measuring key properties/processes in turbulent combusting flows.

Multi-Physics, Multi-Scale Modeling/Simulation for Energy Conversion: Energy conversion processes in AF aerospace systems involves coupled multi-physics phenomena such as chemical reactions, turbulence, radiation, flow-material interactions, etc. in a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.

Computationally efficient modeling/simulation capabilities with sufficiently low uncertainties, coupled with measured data, and assisted by artificial intelligence and machine learning will have game-changing impacts, potentially resulting in new, intelligent development & design tools for future aerospace systems.

Such modeling/simulation capabilities may also be used to select and conduct “numerical experiments” to explore underlying physics at conditions where physical experiments are very difficult or impossible.

Key focus areas are the physical foundation and numerical approaches for coupling multiple physical phenomena at different spatial and temporal scales, in particular: • Embedded DNS (eDNS) – embedding “direct numerical simulation” (DNS being capable of resolving turbulence scales, down to the dissipative range, and detailed flame structures) into simulations for larger-scales such as large-eddy-simulations (LES) to provide needed resolutions/details in both small and large scales computationally efficiently; • Coupling numerical simulations for different physics, e.

g. coupling Eulerian fluid computations with Lagrange molecular dynamics calculations to provide information on critical properties needed in the larger-scale fluid calculations; • Numerical techniques and algorithms for assimilating measured data into numerical simulations, to reduce the simulation uncertainty and to obtain quantitative information which is otherwise not available through experimental measurements alone.

Game-Changing Thermodynamics Concepts and Innovative Energy Conversion :Thermodynamics provides insights into energy conversion processes and the FA9550 -23 -S-0001 10 of 94 foundation to developing potentially game-changing energy-conversion approaches.

It also establishes the thermodynamic foundation and framework to analyze the energy requirement and efficiency of propulsion systems and non-propulsive subsystem functions of increasingly significant energy needs.

The following topics are of particular interest: • Learning-based, intelligent thermodynamics framework for analyzing multi-scale, non- equilibrium physical and chemical processes, potentially leading to unconventional, game- changing energy conversion processes that potentially offer significantly higher than normal efficiency and other favorable attributes; • Thermodynamics foundation and energy optimization for information processing systems.

• Novel, highly efficient approaches to electric propulsion. • Other non-thermal, reduced-thermal and hybrid energy conversion processes, possibly of non-equilibrium nature, for future propulsion and subsystems, with particular interest in UAVs and robotic platforms; • Combustion at extremely short time-scales, such as detonation-based processes (e. g.

as potential game-changing propulsion approaches) and meld exothermic processes (e. g.

biologically inspired energy conversion processes for UAV and robotic applications) • Multi-functional fuels: (1) endothermic fuels and systems and (2) aviation fuels from new sources with economic and security advantages and related conversion processes; • Unconventional formation mechanisms of large and complex carbon-based molecules, compounds and clusters at combustion, thermal or other interesting conditions, relevant to Air Force and Space Force propulsion, energy and other 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 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 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, FA9550 -23 -S-0001 11 of 94 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 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 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. FA9550 -23 -S-0001 12 of 94 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 theabove 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. DR.

SARAH H. POPKIN, AFOSR/RTA1 Email: aerothermodynamics@us. af.

mil (703) 696-8478 FA9550 -23 -S-0001 13 of 94 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 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 FA9550 -23 -S-0001 14 of 94 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. DR. MING-JEN PAN, AFOSR/RTA1 E-Mail: ACMaterials@us.

af. mil 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.

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, FA9550 -23 -S-0001 15 of 94 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.

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, and if there are any specific submission target dates. LT COL MATTHEW KRISAK (ACTING), AFOSR/RTA E-mail: structural. mech@us.

af. mil A. 1.

h. Propulsion and Power Program Description: Research activities are focused as multi-disciplinary, multi-physics, multi-scale approach to complex problems, and fall into four areas: Coupled Material and Plasma Processes far from Equilibrium, Nano-energetics in solid propellant combustion, High Pressure Combustion Dynamics in rocket engines, and structural batteries.

Basic Research Objectives: Research in the first area is to significantly advance the state-of-the-art in our ability to understand the fundamental aspects of a coupled plasma/material system in non-equilibrium states, for a variety of potential applications, including plasma-based space propulsion systems and plasma-spacecraft interactions.

The typical conditions of interest are characterized by critical phenomena in small spatial and temporal scales which affect the behavior over a much wider range of scales. Detailed understanding and control of non-equilibrium and multiscale effects have the potential to overcome the limitations of traditional plasma in thermodynamic equilibrium, leading