Materials, Chemistry, Nanoscience

Objective
This program broadly covers hard and soft materials, organic/polymer chemistry, and catalysis.  We seek basic research projects that lead to creation of new or enhancement of existing capabilities and functionalities through precise control of material structure and morphology at specific length scales, and ultimately understanding how to use material processing to control structures and properties across multiple length scales (i.e., atomic/molecular to micron).  Some representative application areas of interest include electro-optic and -active materials; light-weight, high strength structural materials; lasing materials; and processes that lead to on-demand chemicals, materials, and properties.  While application areas are important, the fundamental science behind the idea is key.  See below for more information on potential materials project areas.

Submission of Idea Paragraphs and White Papers
In order to get the funding opportunity conversation started, use an idea paragraph.  Depending on the number of focus research areas you are thinking about, submit one or more idea paragraphs.  These should not be long, only 4-5 sentences.  This will provide me with a glimpse of the span of ideas without you spending too much time in document preparation.  A reaction scheme, figure, graph, or table may be included if it will help communicate the point.  If there is something that might be considered as a possible project, then I will likely encourage a white paper.  Technical merit and scientific impact are primary drivers to be considered. 

For this program, the white paper should be no more than two pages in length including any figures or schemes (12 font) - a third page can have a couple of key references and a one sentence budget statement.  The white paper should describe the fundamental science behind the ideas (be specific) and in what application areas (in the broadest sense) this work will be relevant.  Think broadly on how the science you propose might impact technologies that are likely useful for the future Air Force (can be 20-30 years out).  I am interested in novel and innovative high risk, high impact fundamental research - not incremental, extensional, continuation, or me-too kinds of work.  Generally there is little interest in receiving idea paragraphs, white papers, or proposals that describe an application and how this research will solve a problem in that area.  The focus should be on the basic science and how will it impact a field of research.  For me to consider research that is extensional to current work, it will need significant justification as to why it is critical that it be extended.  The white paper needs to be convincing that the proposed research is novel and oriented towards my program goals (and not only applications).  It also needs to make it clear how the idea is significantly different from research findings already reported in the literature, or if not, why it is critical that the work be considered for continuation. 

Technical Areas of Interest
Materials

• Hard (complex ceramics, metal alloys) and soft materials (polymers, hybrid systems, nanocomposites); multifunctional materials; new material synthesis; fabrication
• Novel properties (e.g., tunability); control of multiple simultaneous properties (e.g., structural, electrical, electro-optical)
• Laser Materials (thermal control, scale-up and fabrication, power output, output efficiency, materials and architectures for wavelength tunability and beam quality, fill lasing gaps)
• Material processing (controlling short-range order); advanced and unique characterization techniques, analytical tools, and methodologies, faster techniques
• Theory, modeling and simulation (multi-scale modeling; property prediction; understanding phenomena in complex structures; algorithms that analyze and convert complex data to information)

Chemistry

• Catalysis, catalysts, and catalytic processes (high conversion, selectivity, rate, turn-over number); small molecule activation (e.g., nitrogen activation); novel organic/inorganic/hybrid compounds and their preparation; single nanoparticle/quantum dot fundamentals
• On-demand chemicals, materials, properties by direct preparation from renewable atmospheric feedstocks by activation of small, gaseous inorganic molecules
• Productive chemistry near room temperature and atmospheric pressure

Solicitation
 BAA-AFRL-AFOSR-2015-0001

Collaboration Tools
Following are different ways you can share information with Dr. Caster and your colleagues.

• View or share files. You can view files Dr. Caster has uploaded and also share files with him and your colleagues.
• Upload your white paper. Fill out the form and attach your white paper for Dr. Caster.
• Provide feedback or ask questions. You can start a discussion or ask a question using our online forum

Program Reviews & Meetings

Contact Information
Ken Caster, Ph.D.
Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD)
7-23-17 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo, Japan 106-0032

Office:   +81(42) 511-2000
Fax:  +81-3-6385-3133
AOARD.Materials.Chemistry@us.af.mil