Air Force Office of Scientific Research selects materials researchers for Star Team Awards Published March 24, 2014 By Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Three research groups, under the leadership of Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate scientists were named Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Star Teams for 2014. The Star Team Award emphasizes and recognizes excellence in basic research performed within AFRL's technology directorates. The designation is limited to no more than 10 percent of AFRL's intramural basic research activities, and it acknowledges researchers who have demonstrated world class scientific or engineering achievement that is cutting edge, and "the best of the best." Research Nanomaterials Dr. Steven Fairchild received the award for his team's research to investigate materials that can meet the stringent demands that are required for the development of next generation directed energy, Air Force weapon systems. Resilient multifunctional materials are needed for the high stress environments that occur in hih power electro-magnetic systems where performance is often limited by materials degradation in the presence of high chemical, thermal, electrical, and radiative stresses. This collaboration with AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate focuses on investigating novel nano-materials by characterizing and modeling their performance in extreme environments, as well as electron beam diagnostics and device integration. Technical Point of Contact Dr. Steven Fairchild Functional Materials Division Photonic Materials Branch Exploitation of Natural Processes and Materials The team led by Dr. Rajesh Naik will explore exploitation of natural processes and materials to uncover an understanding of the properties of biomolecular templates and biopolymers. Innovations in biotechnology offer unprecedented approaches to address some of the Air Force's most challenging problems, including ultra-specific chemical sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and human performance monitoring, covert tags for friend-foe identification and surveillance, chemical and biological warfare defense, and multifunctional materials for structural and protection applications. Technical Point of Contact Dr. Rajesh Naik Functional Materials Division Soft Matter Materials Branch Single Component Nanoparticle Hybrids Dr. Richard Vaia's team will research the structure and property correlations present in single component nanoparticle hybrids. Recent synthetic innovations for attaching polymers to nanoparticles to create "hairy nanoparticles" (HNPs) has resulted in opportunities to overcome processing and aggregation issues limiting the use of traditional polymer nanocomposites in Air Force applications. Rather than blending a nanoparticle with a matrix, matrix-free single component nanoparticle hybrids (SCNHs) can be achieved through prudent design of the HNP. The research objective addresses fundamental questions limiting the engineering design of SCNHs for Air Force dielectric, photonic and plasmonic material needs. Unique Air Force applications that will benefit from improved or new materials include optical filters and high performance capacitors. Technical Point of Contact Dr. Richard Vaia Functional Materials Division Soft Matter Materials Branch Impact The STAR Team Award recognizes and rewards scientific achievement, showcases Air Force research, and promotes the critical role of intramural basic research within the Air Force's overall science and technology investment. Each of these task's success derives from and depends on a dynamic team, comprised of students, visiting researchers, on-site, visiting scientists, contractors, and government personnel, showcasing research and development activities in their most productive, collaborative and impactful form. Technical Inquiries Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Corporate Communications Office 937-255-0017