The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded approximately $16.6 million in grants to 57 young investigators from research institutions across the US. The recipients will conduct basic research in areas such as dynamical systems, quantum processes, and energy, with a focus on advancing the Air Force mission.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) has awarded approximately $15.5 million in grants to 42 young researchers from across the US, fostering basic research and early career development. The recipients will conduct projects in areas including dynamical systems, quantum processes, and complex materials.
Researchers have developed a new graphene technique that significantly increases lithium-ion battery storage capacity by combining graphene nanoribbons with tin oxide. The resulting prototype battery retains more than double the capacity of standard graphite anodes after repeated charge-discharge cycles.
Dr. Immanuel Bloch will receive the 2013 Körber European Science Prize for his groundbreaking research on lattice-trapped ultracold atoms, enabling precise monitoring of solid structures and potential applications in superconductors and quantum information processing. The prize includes €750,000 to support his research activities.
The Air Force has announced 29 university researchers at 26 institutions will receive awards totaling $12.7 million for research instrumentation. These awards support the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for cutting-edge defense research.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research granted $67.5 million in awards to 32 academic institutions for multidisciplinary research efforts. The MURI program supports teams of investigators from multiple disciplines to accelerate progress in various fields.
AFOSR-funded research has led to the development of a new, environmentally benign propellant that is twice as powerful as hydrazine. This 'green' propellant reduces toxicity and offers improved safety properties.
Researchers have developed a superoleophobic surface using nanoscale coating that repels virtually all liquids, including chemicals and fuels. The technology has potential applications in uniform clothing, thermal management, fuel purification, and leak control.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded grants to 40 scientists and engineers for basic research in science and engineering. The recipients will focus on various areas including aerospace, materials sciences, and life sciences.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has selected ten universities to design and build small satellites in a competition. The winning project will receive additional funding for completion and be launched on a future space mission.
Dr. Mirkin showcased advancements in Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN) and spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), enabling high-resolution nanofabrication and massively parallel processing. He also introduced On-Wire Lithography, a technique for creating nanostructures on nanowires.
Dr. Anthony Grbic's innovative antenna design uses a hemispherical shape to achieve instant miniaturization, operating in one frequency band and potentially inexpensive to produce.
A new circular polarization filter developed by a collaborative team of scientists has the potential to enhance vision through dust and clouds, improve early cancer detection, and even enhance 3D movie experiences. The filter allows users to measure the polarization state of light quickly and efficiently.
A Rice University research team made graphene suitable for organic chemistry applications by attaching various molecules to its sheets, enabling advanced chemical sensors and electronic circuits. The hydrogenation process transformed graphene into a semiconducting superlattice, allowing for tailored functionality.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research awarded approximately $18 million in grants to 48 young scientists and engineers with exceptional research abilities. The recipients will conduct basic research over a 3-5 year period, fostering creative research and early career development.
Researchers at UTD have successfully produced thermally modulated transparent carbon nanotube sheets, creating a 'mirage effect' similar to an 'invisibility cloak'. This breakthrough could lead to applications such as photo-deflectors and switchable transparency materials.
Micro-cavity arrays, pioneered by Air Force research, utilize micro-plasmas for efficient and environmentally friendly lighting. The technology boasts high utilization efficiency, is fully dimmable, and has a high Color Rendering Index, approaching sunlight quality.
Researchers have developed a new measurement technology to investigate the structure of composite and biological materials, providing microscopic insights into polymeric networks. The rheometer and confocal microscope system enabled visualization of fluorescently labeled actin networks and filming of polymer filaments' movement in 3-D ...
The University of Washington is developing design tools and using commercial nanofabrication tools to create inexpensive next-generation silicon-based electro-optical chips. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is funding this effort to improve data communications, lasers, and detectors.
Researchers have developed a method to create pristine sheets of graphene from regular table sugar, offering potential for lighter, faster and cheaper computer electronics. The technique allows for control over the film's thickness and opens up possibilities for doped graphene applications in various fields.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has selected winners for the Nanosat-6 Flight Competition Review, with Michigan Technological University taking first place. The winning teams will receive assistance to become flight-ready, and one satellite will be launched as a secondary payload on an STP launch.
A researcher at the University of Arizona is working on high-temperature resistant ceramic coatings to protect Air Force hypersonic aircraft. The coating can withstand temperatures up to 2800 degrees Celsius and has the potential to enable faster travel times.
Researchers at Caltech, with support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, have found that flies follow horizontal edges to regulate altitude, unlike earlier studies suggesting they measure motion beneath them. This edge-following behavior is similar to their steering mechanism and relies heavily on vision.
AFOSR-funded physicist Colonel Scott Dudley praised the discovery, noting graphene is stronger than steel yet flexible and stretchable, with wide-ranging applications in electronics and sensors. The research has led to significant breakthroughs and continues to push the field forward.
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has awarded approximately $16.5 million in grants to 43 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Young Investigator Research Program. The selected recipients will conduct basic research in various areas of science and engineering.
Researchers enabled by AFOSR's YIP program developed state-of-the-art detection and evasion algorithms to block known and future attacks on Air Force computer networks and wireless systems. The new technology will enhance network security with high accuracy and speed.
Physicists at the University of California, Berkeley and the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics successfully observed an electron being ejected from an atom using ultrafast laser pulses. The experiment enabled the capture and photography of valence electrons for the first time, paving the way for better control over high-speed elec...
University of Michigan scientists have developed a new nanostructuring technology that enables the creation of ultra-small pixels for energy-efficient displays. The technology uses plasmonic structures to trap and transmit light, reducing absorption loss and increasing the efficiency of LED displays.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert Wood at Harvard University are developing micro air vehicles (MAVs) to monitor hazardous environments like collapsed structures and chemical spills. The goal is to create agile devices that can perform tasks not achieved before using robotic devices on the scale of insects.
A portable, laser-equipped backpack has been developed to create realistic 3D maps of difficult-to-access spaces. This technology allows Air Force personnel to view and interact with modeled buildings, enhancing mission planning and operations.
Dr. David Awschalom has been awarded the 2010 Materials Research Society Turnbull Award for his groundbreaking research in semiconductor spintronics, including fundamental discoveries of spin transport and coherence in the solid state.
Dr. George Papanicolaou receives the William Benter Prize for his work on Monte Carlo simulation and its applications in imaging analysis, tackling challenges in cluttered environments. The award supports his efforts to develop effective algorithms for detecting and imaging in varying degrees of clutter.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Bhavani Thuraisingham has developed a framework and incentives to enhance assured information sharing in cloud computing. The initiative, funded by AFOSR's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, aims to provide a secure environment for processing large amounts of data.
Researchers are exploring new applications for terahertz sensors using plasmonics and photonics technology. This technology has the potential to improve optical sources, detectors, and modulators, as well as create biomolecules such as plastic explosives.
Scientists have created a new technology that converts chemical energy to fuel cells for micro-machines and sensors, saving energy and producing more power than smaller batteries. The thermopower wave devices use carbon nanotubes and are already generating attention due to their non-toxic nature.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for war injuries using Photochemical Tissue Bonding, which produces better healing outcomes than conventional materials. The technology involves applying a dye to the wound and exposing it to green light, creating an immediate, water-tight seal that reduces inflammation.
Dr. Rashid Zia's cutting-edge research aims to enhance higher order emission processes in lanthanide ions, improving Air Force mission and commercial technologies. His work has the potential to impact industries such as color television, fluorescent lighting, and solid-state laser systems.
Researchers are developing tools to tackle complex problems in logistics planning, resource allocation and circuit design. By combining techniques from mathematics, statistics and computer science, they aim to create more efficient delivery systems for the Air Force.
Engineers at Boston University have developed mathematical algorithms that can make nearly optimal decisions under realistic model conditions. This approach automates functions such as task partitioning and re-planning, reducing human supervision needed for UAVs.
Dr. Graciela Chichilnisky's research provides solid foundations for better preparing the public and experts for catastrophic events like hurricanes, tsunamis, and floods. Her team has developed new tools in probability and statistics to rank risks, prioritize decisions, and evaluate economic after-effects of disasters.
Researchers funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research are developing mini-thrusters that could enable small satellites to perform complex tasks like planetary searches. The technology also has potential applications in other areas, such as etching semiconductors and fabricating computer chips.
Researchers are developing a standard policy language to achieve flexible and dynamic Web security when sharing information with different agencies, countries, and organizations. This technology aims to facilitate the exchange of information between entities using different languages to express their security constraints.
Ed Lee, Air Force Office of Scientific Research's HBCU Program Manager, received a Trailblazer Award for his work in STEM education. His efforts have had a direct impact on the educational community, promoting innovation and open doors for others.
Researchers have developed an all-solid-state cryocooler that can reach temperatures as low as 155K, potentially enabling miniaturization of superconducting electronics. The technology uses optical refrigeration to cool gases and has the potential to advance spaceborne and airborne sensors.
Researchers have developed an algorithm and open source tool that reduces current software testing time by 300 times, increasing the efficiency of software testing across systems. The 'Just Enough Testing' project aims to re-use test results across different systems, reducing testing time for single systems.
Researchers successfully tested physical-layer quantum encryption over free space optical links with AOptix's patented adaptive optics correction, achieving low loss and stability. NuCrypt's AlphaEta quantum-noise randomized encryption technology enhances security without compromising current optical infrastructure.
AOptix Technologies successfully completed a two-phase flight test program for the Enhanced Air-to-Ground Lasercom System (EAGLS) Program. The tests demonstrated AOptix's capabilities in Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) and ultra-high bandwidth real-time communications.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the world's smallest semiconductor laser, paving the way for ultra-sensitive bio-detection, nanoscale optics, and enhanced communication systems. The breakthrough technology has potential applications in various fields, including healthcare, optics-based telecommunications, and optical computing.
Researchers developed new computerized surveillance algorithms using algebraic theories to improve object and target detection. The technology reduces manual review time by 99%, enhancing image analysis capabilities.
Dr. Beverley J. McKeon's work on simplified models of turbulence under different pressure gradients has garnered the Presidential Early Career Award. Her research aims to improve understanding of turbulence in various technologies, including commercial aviation and industrial flows.