The Defense Sciences Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of optical systems capable of extreme performance and/or capabilities, which utilize Engineered optical Materials (EnMats). Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, and/or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
The Defense Sciences Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of optical systems capable of extreme performance and/or capabilities, which utilize Engineered optical Materials (EnMats). Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, and/or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
The Spectrum Collaboration Challenge will develop intelligent radio networks which can collaborate to manage and optimize the radio frequency (RF) spectrum in a complex dynamic, changing RF environment which consists of other collaborative radio networks, non-collaborative radio networks (which are incapable of adapting) and other potential interference sources. Successful networks will apply machine learning techniques and be able to optimize total spectrum usage by determining when, where and how to utilize its resources. The networks for all participant teams will be evaluated in a series of competitive, tournament-style events.
The Spectrum Collaboration Challenge will develop intelligent radio networks which can collaborate to manage and optimize the radio frequency (RF) spectrum in a complex dynamic, changing RF environment which consists of other collaborative radio networks, non-collaborative radio networks (which are incapable of adapting) and other potential interference sources. Successful networks will apply machine learning techniques and be able to optimize total spectrum usage by determining when, where and how to utilize its resources. The networks for all participant teams will be evaluated in a series of competitive, tournament-style events.
The Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program supports research focusing on chemically-relevant measurement science and chemical imaging, targeting both improved understanding of new and existing methods and development of innovative approaches and instruments. Research areas include but are not limited to sampling and separation science; electroanalytical chemistry; spectrometry; and frequency- and time-domain spectroscopy. Development of new chemical imaging and measurement tools probing chemical properties and processes are supported. Innovations enabling the monitoring and imaging of chemical and electronic processes across a wide range of time and length scales are also relevant. New approaches to data analysis and interpretation (including chemometrics) are encouraged. Proposals addressing established techniques must seek improved understanding and/or innovative approaches to substantially broaden applicability. Sensor-related proposals should address new approaches to chemical sensing, with prospects for broad utility and significant enhancement of current capabilities.
The Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program supports research focusing on chemically-relevant measurement science and chemical imaging, targeting both improved understanding of new and existing methods and development of innovative approaches and instruments. Research areas include but are not limited to sampling and separation science; electroanalytical chemistry; spectrometry; and frequency- and time-domain spectroscopy. Development of new chemical imaging and measurement tools probing chemical properties and processes are supported. Innovations enabling the monitoring and imaging of chemical and electronic processes across a wide range of time and length scales are also relevant. New approaches to data analysis and interpretation (including chemometrics) are encouraged. Proposals addressing established techniques must seek improved understanding and/or innovative approaches to substantially broaden applicability. Sensor-related proposals should address new approaches to chemical sensing, with prospects for broad utility and significant enhancement of current capabilities.
The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program focuses on basic research that addresses fundamental questions regarding the chemistry of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic species and other organized structures and that advances chemistry knowledge in these areas. Research of interest to this program will explore novel chemistry concepts in the following topics: (1) The development of novel synthetic approaches to clusters, nanoparticles, polymers, and supramolecular architectures; innovative surface functionalization methodologies; surface monolayer chemistry; and template-directed synthesis. (2) The study of molecular-scale interactions that give rise to macromolecular, supramolecular or nanoparticulate self-assembly into discrete structures; and the study of chemical forces and dynamics that are responsible for spatial organization in discrete organic, inorganic, or hybrid systems (excluding extended solids). (3) Investigations that utilize advanced experimental or computational methods to understand or to predict the chemical structure, unique chemical and physicochemical properties, and chemical reactivities that result from the organized or nanoscopic structures. Research in which theory advances experiment and experiment advances theory synergistically is of special interest.
The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program focuses on basic research that addresses fundamental questions regarding the chemistry of macromolecular, supramolecular and nanoscopic species and other organized structures and that advances chemistry knowledge in these areas. Research of interest to this program will explore novel chemistry concepts in the following topics: (1) The development of novel synthetic approaches to clusters, nanoparticles, polymers, and supramolecular architectures; innovative surface functionalization methodologies; surface monolayer chemistry; and template-directed synthesis. (2) The study of molecular-scale interactions that give rise to macromolecular, supramolecular or nanoparticulate self-assembly into discrete structures; and the study of chemical forces and dynamics that are responsible for spatial organization in discrete organic, inorganic, or hybrid systems (excluding extended solids). (3) Investigations that utilize advanced experimental or computational methods to understand or to predict the chemical structure, unique chemical and physicochemical properties, and chemical reactivities that result from the organized or nanoscopic structures. Research in which theory advances experiment and experiment advances theory synergistically is of special interest.
AFOSR is seeking proposals to provide independent, objective analysis of scientific and technical topics of relevance to the Air Force and national defense. The activity would include refining areas of interest provided by the Air Force into organized, rigorous studies concerning, for many scientific and technical fields, determining the state of the art, projecting trends, utilizing science and technologies for national defense purposes, and identifying promising or necessary areas of additional study. This announcement solicits proposals for up to five (5) years of performance and up to $25M of funding, dependent on the needs of the Air Force and the availability of funding. All proposals must be unclassified, but work under any award may be classified.
AFOSR is seeking proposals to provide independent, objective analysis of scientific and technical topics of relevance to the Air Force and national defense. The activity would include refining areas of interest provided by the Air Force into organized, rigorous studies concerning, for many scientific and technical fields, determining the state of the art, projecting trends, utilizing science and technologies for national defense purposes, and identifying promising or necessary areas of additional study. This announcement solicits proposals for up to five (5) years of performance and up to $25M of funding, dependent on the needs of the Air Force and the availability of funding. All proposals must be unclassified, but work under any award may be classified.
The National Science Foundation's Directorates for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) are coordinating efforts to identify bold new concepts with the potential to contribute towards significant improvements in the efficiency of radio spectrum utilization, protection of passive sensing services, and the ability for traditionally underserved Americans to benefit from current and future wireless-enabled goods and services. This EARS program solicitation seeks to fund innovative collaborative research addressing large-scale challenges that transcend the traditional boundaries of existing programs.
The National Science Foundation's Directorates for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), Engineering (ENG), and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) are coordinating efforts to identify bold new concepts with the potential to contribute towards significant improvements in the efficiency of radio spectrum utilization, protection of passive sensing services, and the ability for traditionally underserved Americans to benefit from current and future wireless-enabled goods and services. This EARS program solicitation seeks to fund innovative collaborative research addressing large-scale challenges that transcend the traditional boundaries of existing programs.
The National Science Foundation's Directorates for Engineering (ENG) and Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) are coordinating efforts to identify bold new concepts to significantly improve the efficiency of radio spectrum utilization while addressing new challenges in energy efficiency and security, thus enabling spectrum access for all users and devices, and allowing traditionally underserved Americans to benefit from wireless-enabled goods and services. The SpecEES program solicitation (pronounced "SpecEase") seeks to fund innovative collaborative team research that transcends the traditional boundaries of existing programs.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving proposals for efforts that will advance and demonstrate science and technology for the next generation electronics and devices under the following focus area: Electronics technology enablers for wideband Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STAR) capabilities Background The need for concurrent military antenna operations across wide spectral ranges in heavily congested electromagnetic environments continues to expand. Steady advances in RF and mixed-signal electronics technology continue to fuel increased system performance capabilities through the use of higher operating frequencies and broader bandwidths. Higher resolution for active sensors/imagers, higher data rate terrestrial and satellite communications links, and more effective electronic warfare (EW) and Information Operations (IO) are a few of the advances that high-speed electronics continues to enable. Many solid state device technologies from Silicon to Gallium Nitride, Niobium to Photonics, are contributing to these military system advances. Significant electronic challenges arise when these EW/IO, communications and radar systems are required to operate concurrently, with both transmit and receive functionality utilizing either a single aperture or multiple apertures. The concurrency problem is exasperated by the desire of each system to project more power from smaller overall platform footprints in order to maximize performance and minimize signature. While electronics technology advances have led to significant military antenna system performance gains, the ability to operate these systems concurrently in a STAR configuration without severe performance degradation continues to be severely lacking. The need for improved wideband STAR enabling electronics technology is the primary focus of this BAA.
The Sensors and Sensing Systems (SSS) program will be conducting a proposal review pilot test of a modified proposal review process utilizing proposals submitted to the SSS program for the October 1, 2013, proposal submission deadline. Submission of a proposal to this program for this deadline will imply your willingness to participate in the process. The purpose of this pilot is to seek new approaches to proposal review that can lower the cost of the review process, improve the quality of reviews, and reduce the workload on the reviewer community, while not discouraging the submission of collaborative or highly innovative proposals.
The Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation, a grantmaking organization of Paralyzed Veterans of America, seeks to fund innovative educational projects that enhance the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and/or that increase the knowledge and effectiveness of health professionals in the SCI/D community.
The foundation generally supports five types of projects: 1) Consumer, caregiver, and community education demonstration projects that seek to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease; 2) Professional development and education programs that improve the knowledge and competencies of professionals providing health care and related services to the SCI/D community, or fellowship/traineeship programs for professionals providing health care and related services to the SCI/D community; 3) Research utilization and dissemination projects that translate research findings into practice; 4) Assistive technology demonstration projects that improve the identification, selection, and use of assistive devices by people with SCI/D; and 5) Conferences and symposia designed to provide education and opportunities for collaboration among members of the SCI/D community.
The Concentrating Solar Power: Efficiently Leveraging Equilibrium Mechanisms for Engineering New Thermochemical Storage (CSP: ELEMENTS) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that is being issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking applications that integrate Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES) systems with a minimum of 6 hours of thermal storage to be used in ≥1 Megawatt-electric (≥1 MWe) scale CSP electricity generation that have promise to achieve a cost target of ≤$15 per kilowatt-hour-thermal (≤$15/kWhth) are the focus of this FOA. Successful projects will culminate in an on-sun demonstration of the thermochemical reactor along with reliable projections of the full scale performance of the integrated storage system through the utilization of validated performance models developed as part of the research and development effort.
The objective of this activity is to competitively solicit projects in novel technologies under the Crosscutting Research Program Area to support Department of Energy Strategic Goals. The United States Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory is seeking innovative research and development of novel sensor and control systems for use in advanced power generation systems. New sensor and control technology will contribute the goals of high efficiency, near zero emission, and effective carbon capture for the next generation power generation technologies. These technologies include advanced combustion, gasification, turbines, fuel cells, gas cleaning and separation technologies, and carbon dioxide separation and capture technologies. The inclusion of transformational power generation and emission control technology will enable high process efficiency and integration to achieve performance goals at reasonable cost. Integration o f new technology will introduce unprecedented levels of complexity and process conditions that must be address by improved sensor and control technology. To manage complexity and achieve performance goals, advances in the capability and architecture of instrumentation, sensors, and process controls are vital in assuring integrated unit operations, predictive on-line maintenance, and continuous life cycle monitoring and real time process optimization. Innovations in these areas are being supported by the National Energy Technology Laboratorys Crosscutting Research Program which aims at bridging the gap between the basic sciences and applied research as it relates to Advanced Power Systems that utilize domestic resources. Long range transitional type research is needed to support the identification and growth of novel concepts that will to scientific breakthroughs and early adoption of innovative concepts into applications for power generation.
With this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), the Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative is soliciting collaborative research teams to define and fabricate model systems that utilize a single p-n junction device structure and have the potential to approach Shockley-Queisser power conversion efficiency limits (for a chosen bandgap and absorber material). The emphasis of this FOA is assembling cohesive and highly diverse teams of experts within and outside the PV community who can achieve the goals of creating a model system concept and a subsequent device that can approach theoretical limits. DOE SunShot anticipates significant collaboration between experts in fundamental materials, characterization, device physics, ab-initio simulations, and PV device integration to adequately address these issues.
This program supports fundamental research and education that will enable innovative processes for the sustainable production of electricity and transportation fuels. Processes for sustainable energy production must be environmentally benign, reduce greenhouse gas production, and utilize renewable resources.
Gasification is used to convert a solid feedstock?such as coal, petcoke or biomass?into a gaseous form, referred to as syngas, which is composed primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (CO). With gasification-based technologies, pollutants can be easily captured and then disposed of or converted to useful products. In the Department of Energy?s vision for clean power using gasification, steam is added to syngas in a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor to convert the CO to carbon dioxide (CO2) and to produce additional hydrogen. The hydrogen and CO2 are separated?the hydrogen is combusted to make power and the CO2 is captured and sent to storage, converted to useful product, or used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The Gasification Systems Technology Area takes full advantage of the flexibility inherent in gasification. For instance, technologies designed to clean syngas to chemical production standards also clean syngas for power production (i.e., integrated gasification combined cycle [IGCC]), often with significantly lower contaminant levels than the Environmental Protection Agency?s (EPA) criteria for power plant emissions. Technologies that lower the cost of producing high-hydrogen syngas for fuels or chemical production will also reduce the carbon footprint of IGCC. Advanced technologies being developed under the Gasification Systems Technology Area will provide a more efficient and economical platform for the capture and utilization of CO2. In addition to efficiently producing electric power, a wide range of liquids and/or high-value chemicals and fuels (especially diesel and gasoline) can be produced from cleaned, high-hydrogen syngas, thereby providing flexibility capable of capitalizing on a ra
Next-generation wireless networks, utilizing a wide swath of wireless spectrum and an array of novel technologies in the wired and wireless domains, are on the cusp of unleashing a broadband revolution with promised peak bit rates of tens of gigabits per second and latencies of less than a millisecond. Such innovations will make possible a new set of applications such as autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics, tactile Internet applications, virtual and augmented reality, and dense Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. A key requirement of these applications is fast information response time that is invariant as a function of the bandwidth demanded, users/devices supported, and data generated, of which low-latency wireless access time is only one component. Intrinsic security, seamless mobility, scalable content caching, and discovery/distribution services are also essential for such applications.
This solicitation seeks unique data network architectures featuring an information plane using an Information-Centric Networking (ICN) approach and addressing discovery, movement, delivery, management, and protection of information within a network, along with the abstraction of an underlying communication plane creating opportunities for new efficiencies and optimizations across communications technologies that could also address latency and scale requirements.
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks clinical research focused on the development and utilization of technologies that can help address patient outcomes. Relevant areas of technology include remote healthcare delivery to patients via telehealth, robotics to enhance medication adherence, on-site (e.g., clinical or home setting) care delivery, mobile heath to increase access and adherence, web-based decision support tools, and others. Research projects may focus on assessment, diagnosis, intervention development, or intervention implementation. Research projects that a) incorporate emerging and cutting edge technologies to explain and predict patient trajectories, b) inform interventions, c) support real-time clinical decision making, and d) facilitate effective long-term management of chronic illness are especially needed. Critical to this FOA, proposed research should identify specific patient outcomes expected to improve from technological approaches. The specific tools or interventions proposed should clearly indicate how they will enhance patient benefits in environments, such as clinical settings, and/or in the home and community.
The objective of this study is to assess the effect of truck traffic on bridge performance by conducting the following:
Collect quality truck traffic and loads data (volumes, classifications, size, weights, and other relevant data) by installing, maintaining, calibrating, and utilizing state of art instrumentation at selected bridge sites nationally, for the purpose of calibrating bridge specifications and quantifying load-induced deterioration of bridge elements and systems to establish bridge performance and serviceability criteria for improved long-term bridge performance, management and operations.
This research requires the deployment of market-ready, low risk, state-of-practice technologies to monitor in-service bridges, collect bridge load and response data, and bridge component deterioration and establish correlations that are applicable to illustrate the impact of vehicular live loads on bridge component performance.
The goal of the Energy for Sustainability program is to support fundamental engineering research that will enable innovative processes and solutionsfor the sustainable production of electricity and fuels, and energy storage. Processes for sustainable energy production must be environmentally benign, reduce greenhouse gas production, and utilize renewable resources. Current topics of interest include: Biomass Conversion, Biofuels & Bioenergy: Fundamental research on innovative approaches that lead to the intensification of biofuel and bioenergy processes is an emphasis area of this program.
The Division of Chemical, Bioengineering and Environmental Transport (CBET) in the Engineering Directorate of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is partnering with The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) to solicit research projects in the general field of combustion and thermal transport processes that can utilize the International Space Station (ISS) National Lab to conduct research that will benefit life on Earth. U.S. entities including academic investigators, non-profit independent research labs and academic-commercial teams are eligible to apply.
