Category Archives: Engineering & Technology

OSTI Requirements for Submission of Final Peer-Reviewed Accepted Manuscripts

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In support of the DOE Public Access Plan, this message is to remind recipients of SC funded awards that it is a term and condition of the award to submit, to DOE, the final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts for any published journal articles based on work supported by your award. Submissions are to be made to the DOE corporate E-Link system, and it is expected that recipients will submit final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts as soon as they are accepted for publication, but no later than one-year after the date the journal article is published online, and before closeout After the one-year period, final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts will be made available through DOE PAGES and OSTI.GOV. Details describing this requirement can be found here.

Instructions to submit final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts are included in the Federal Assistance Reporting Checklist and Instructions (DOE F 4600.2) and the award provision entitled, “Reporting Requirements”. A video demonstrating the process is also available.

When publishing work that is supported by your award, it is important to remember to acknowledge DOE and the award appropriately. Requirements for acknowledgement of federal support can be found here.

Also, for journal articles listed in your Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs), please see instructions provided under “B. Scientific/Technical Reporting” of the 4600.2 for submission of final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts to ensure the journal articles reported are in compliance with the requirements for public access.

For questions regarding announcement and submission of your final peer-reviewed accepted manuscripts, please contact elink_Helpdesk@osti.gov.

Call for White Papers for National Academies: Powering the US Army of the Future Study

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Submission Deadline: 03/09/20

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is issuing a call for white papers in support of an ongoing study activity to assess existing and novel electric power and energy (P&E) technologies to support Army multi-domain operations (MDO) in the 2035 environment. This call for white papers is soliciting input on candidate P&E technologies (existing or under development) with the potential to achieve operational readiness to support Army MDO in 2035. The white papers will serve as the primary data-gathering effort to inform the larger study report. The authors of the most promising white papers will be invited to join a public forum in May to discuss their ideas with the study committee

Army Modernization Strategy and Multi-Domain Operations

The Army Modernization Strategy (AMS) describes how the Army will transform into a multi-domain operations (MDO) force by 2035 to meet its enduring responsibility as part of the Joint Force to provide for the defense of the United States. The essence of Army’s MDO concept is to support the Joint Force in the rapid and continuous integration of all domains of warfare – land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace – to deter short of conflict but fight and win if deterrence fails. The enabling technology for multi-domain operations will be advanced communications and information processing technology which will place new demands on the Army’s deployed P&E infrastructure to ensure that it can meet the demands of the MDO environment in 2035.

The tenets of MDO create significant performance challenges for several technologies over the next fifteen years. Calibrated force postures, multi-domain formations, and the ability to rapidly converge effects from multiple domains will require a highly integrated and rapidly reconfigurable force that can execute and sustain complex operations with great speed and precision. Rapidly evolving technologies, especially information technologies and those that enable and sustain them, particularly power and energy (P&E), will be fundamental to achieving these goals. The purpose of this call is to solicit white papers outlining feasible and practical technology options that could address potential P&E needs of the Army as it executes its MDO vision in 2035.

The Army’s MDO strategic goals and the future importance of sensing and information technologies

The continuous integration of all domains of warfare demands a proliferation of sensors and intelligent devices, supported with increased communication bandwidth and high-speed processing of data sets into actionable information for use at all operational levels. Evolving 5G technologies in the commercial world can help with these technical challenges and offer a good pacing technology for assessment. However, commercial technology and infrastructure development will not fully satisfy the Army’s unique operational challenges, which require worldwide deployability and functionality under degraded/hostile conditions.

For example, little or no ground-based commercial communications infrastructure may be available within the battlespace; in future operations, even space-based networks may be challenged. This circumstance requires the Army to have a self-contained, mobile, and resilient integrated sensor, communications and information infrastructure. Furthermore, complex battlespace environments create significant technical challenges for modern cellular network technologies. For example, the Army typically fights in complex terrain while experiencing variable climates such as rain, snow, hail, dust, fog, etc. Emerging 5G communications, which promise disruptive bandwidth, are relatively short range and particularly sensitive to signal strength and environmental conditions (to include weather and terrain). These limitations can require increases in the density of nodes and signal strength; longer transmission duration; and proliferation of mobile processing stations. These trends alone will challenge mobile power and energy capabilities in terms of both power demand and energy endurance.

Mobile P&E to support network-enabled MDO

Mobile P&E is fundamental to all Army capabilities; however, the P&E that support communications and information needs varies significantly depending upon the use case. During maneuver, the power plants for the Abrams and many other ground combat vehicles expend a small fraction of their energy on communications and processing. Technologies being developed to support onboard power needs for mobility and lethality over the next 15 years should be more than adequate to meet information processing and communication needs when underway. However, at times ground combat vehicles will enter “silent watch” which requires then to minimize all acoustic and infrared signal emissions. This in turn normally requires them to remain stationary and operate without the use of their main or auxiliary engines. As a result, a platform’s information and communications systems will need to operate without the main engine output.

Meanwhile, dismounted soldiers, small electric and hybrid drones, micro-autonomous sensors, systems, and communication nodes, autonomous ground vehicles, manned vehicles on “silent watch,” and mobile command posts and data centers each will require significant improvement in P&E technology over the next 15 years to support network-enabled MDO. Moreover, the ability to operate mobile command posts and the proliferation of persistent sensors, processors, and transceivers at the forward edge of the battlespace represent an important new focus area that supplements past soldier, platform (e.g. vehicle or drones), and forward operating base use cases.

In the past, P&E performance parameters were generated as an afterthought to new technology aspirations. Twenty-first century capabilities, however, require more sophisticated treatment of energy as an integral component within the system design process. Sensing, processing, and communicating technologies, for example, fundamentally involve the physics and management of energy. How effectively can a sensor distinguish electromagnetic or other signals from noise; convert the information into usable form; and securely transmit the signal to become integrated into the operational picture? Not only energy density but also power management, conversion efficiency, EM radiation and coupling efficiencies, environmental tolerance and reliability are just a few energy attributes that are fundamental to technology performance that will support MDO.

Multi-Domain Operations represents a new warfighting concept for which we lack field data regarding key performance parameters and constraints. The present study represents an opportunity to inform “the art of the possible”, with an emphasis on what is practical and feasible by identifying technologies that could significantly contribute to envisioned operations and feasibly could be made available. To that end, this white paper call will take a technology push approach to future mobile P&E technologies, especially taking account of the opportunities and demands of distributed information technologies (such as 5G) within the adverse environments the Army would be expected to fight.

Two-tiered approach to estimating P&E technology performance for distributed information enabled MDO

For this call for white papers, all P&E technologies will be considered; however, it is crucial to keep in mind that the emphasis will be on those most practical and feasible technologies relevant for sustaining the support of distributed information capabilities associated with MDO. To effectively evaluate the performance headroom of P&E technologies out to the year 2035, this call for white papers will take a two-tiered approach to assessment. The first-tier involves P&E technologies that would achieve a five-year system demonstration from TRL 5-7 to TRL 7-8, then ten years to acquire an operational system by 2035. The second-tier sources would deliver a concept to feasibility demonstration from TRL 4-6 to TRL 6-8 in fifteen years with an operational system acquired sometime after the demo. The metrics used to assess technology and system performance will include specific energy and power output, efficiency, weight, volume, endurance (time to refuel, recharge, or replace), durability (performance in austere or hazardous environments or under shock or damage), vulnerability to attack and disruption, portability/mobility, supply and maintenance concerns (e.g. challenges of material and fuel sourcing and rarity of materials), investment and unit cost, safety issues, personnel training requirements, and policy and regulatory concerns. Physics and engineering principles will be used to judge the credibility of the P&E sources for each tier. To be considered, detailed engineering and system descriptions, which support the performance characteristics of each P&E source will be required.

White Paper Guidelines – Summary

The white papers should describe and evaluate existing or emerging P&E technologies and technical solutions that are feasible and practical to support Army P&E needs for MDO in the 2035 timeframe. The demands for distributed information technologies should be considered as a pacing technology but responses need not be limited to the specifics of systems available today (such as 5G); they should include alternative communications technologies that might also support Army MDO operations as described in the previous section. Papers may and should to the extent possible, consider all relevant P&E aspects of the architecture, including energy storage, conversion, transmission, and relay requirements, and power management technologies. Energy/power sources to be considered can range from as little as two watt systems, for individual soldier platforms and distributed and proliferated sensors, processors and transceivers in the battlespace, to more than 10 megawatt systems for forward and remote operating bases. Each technology or technical solution should be categorized into one of the following categories:

  • Tier 1 – System demonstration achievable within 5 years from TRL 5-7 and TRL 7-8, and an operational system acquirable by 2035.
  • Tier 2 – Concept or System demonstration achievable in 15 years with an estimate of the additional time required for an acquired system

The white papers should assess the following parameters for each technology or technical solution presented: specific energy and power output, efficiency, weight, volume, endurance (time to refuel, recharge, or replace), durability (performance in austere or hazardous environments or under shock or damage), vulnerability to attack and disruption, portability/mobility, supply and maintenance concerns (e.g. challenges of material and fuel sourcing and rarity of materials), investment and unit cost, safety issues, personnel training requirements, and policy and regulatory concerns. The white papers may also offer additional or alternative assessment parameters that are critical or otherwise relevant but not listed here.

Selection Process and Next Steps

White papers will be selected on their level of detail and analysis and the extent to which they meet the parameters provided above. In April, the white paper authors selected to advance will be provided with additional details and parameters regarding the MDO operating environment in 2035 to adapt their proposals and presentations at the public forum to be held on May 18-21, 2020. Selected white paper authors will be asked to provide presentations and engage in dialogue with the study committee at the May forum.

The white paper submissions will be evaluated by the study committee and used to inform report content. The authors of the most promising white papers will be invited to participate in a public forum to discuss their ideas with the committee and engage with the authors of other selected white papers. The papers and discussions with paper authors will provide the primary source of data gathering for the report findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Information gathered will be used by the committee solely to inform this project and the study report. However, per the requirements established in the Federal Advisory Committee Act, to which this effort and committee is subject, all white papers will be collected in a Public Access File (PAF). Materials contained within the PAF are subject to release per the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Please do not include any proprietary information in your responses. Responses must be Distribution A. This activity is unclassified.

Submission Formatting and Guidelines

  • Papers should be no longer than 10 pages, double spaced, including figures
  • Text should be in size 12 Times New Roman font, with standard one-inch margins
  • Papers should include a cover page (not included in the 10 page limit) with the paper title, the authors’ names, times and organizational affiliations (if applicable)
  • If the paper includes citations, then standard Chicago Style or APA format applies

White papers should be submitted HERE no later than 5:00PM EST on 03/09/2020

If your white paper is selected by the committee to be presented at the public forum on May 18-21, 2020 you will be contacted via the email address entered on your submission form.

Please contact Steven Darbes (sdarbes@nas.edu) or Aanika Senn (ASenn@nas.edu) with any questions regarding the call for white papers or the Powering the U.S. Army of the Future study.

Additional Information

The work of the committee is overseeing by the Board on Army Research and Development (BOARD) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The BOARD provides project oversight and sponsor engagement for a portfolio of studies, workshops, forums, and roundtables in support of the U.S. Army. The U.S. Army turns to us for independent advice on topics related to research, development, and application of science and technology in support of military matters. Our board members are widely recognized industry, academic, and former military experts. See their website for more information.

This study was sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Technology)

NIJ New Solicitation: Research and Evaluation of Domestic Terrorism Prevention

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The National Institute of Justice recently published a solicitation that supports research and evaluation of domestic terrorism prevention. The solicitation, “…seeks to build knowledge and evidence related to strategies for effective prevention of terrorism in the United States.”

Areas of specific research interest to NIJ include:

  • Evaluations of programs and practices to prevent terrorism
  • Research to inform terrorism prevention efforts
  • Research on the reintegration of offenders to the community

Funded projects will apply an approach that engages researchers and practitioners in an active partnership to develop more effective solutions to specific problems, and to produce lessons and strategies that may be adapted to help other localities with similar problems.

All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1, 2020.

Army Research Lab – Scalable, Adaptive, and Resilient Autonomy (SARA) Funding Opportunity

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Key Dates:

  • Opportunity Webinar – January 24, 2020
  • Deadline for Questions on Funding Opportunity – January 31, 2020
  • Proposals due for Cycle 1 – February 14, 2020

Program Description

Future Army forces will need to conduct cross-domain maneuver (CDM) and at times, operate semi-independently, disbursed, and while communications and infrastructure such as Global Positioning System (GPS) are disrupted or denied. Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) will play a key role in expanding the operational reach, situational awareness, and effectiveness of maneuver forces in CDM. The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is focused on developing fundamental understanding and informing the art-of-the-possible for warfighter concepts through research to greatly improve air and ground based autonomous vehicle perception, learning, reasoning, communication, navigation, and physical capabilities to augment and increase the freedom of maneuver in complex and contested environments. The Scalable, Adaptive, and Resilient Autonomy (SARA) program is focused on developing and experimentally accelerating emerging research in autonomous mobility and maneuverability, scalable heterogeneous and collaborative behaviors, and human agent teaming to realize adaptive and resilient Intelligent Systems that can reason about the environment, work in distributed and collaborative heterogeneous teams, and make optempo decisions to enable Autonomous Maneuver in complex and contested environments. In order to achieve this vision, advancements are needed in following:

  • Novel methods for all-terrain ground and aerial maneuver to interact with and move through complex environments.
  • Methods for scalable and heterogeneous collaborative behaviors in support of collaborative air and ground manned-unmanned teaming operations.
  • Techniques for improved perception, decision-making, and adaptive behaviors for fully autonomous maneuver in contested environments.
  • Methods, metrics, and tools to facilitate, simulate, and enable testing and evaluation of emerging approaches for intelligent and autonomous systems under Army relevant constraints and environments.
  • Experimental testbeds to develop and refine knowledge products to inform and transition technology to Army stakeholders.

Additional information, including the solicitation, can be found on the SARA webpage or on grants.gov.

Supplemental Funding Opportunity to Support Student Design Projects Directly Related to NSF Research

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The mission of NSF is to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare of the US. Fostering the growth of a more capable and diverse research workforce and advancing the scientific and innovation skills of the Nation are strategic objectives of NSF. To support its mission and this objective, NSF continues to invest in programs that directly advance the nation’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. As part of this effort, a supplemental funding opportunity is being made available starting in FY 2019 to provide support for mentored, student-led design projects that are directly related to currently funded NSF awards from the Engineering Directorate. This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) describes a new opportunity for principal investigators to expand the Broader Impact of their awards through a Design Supplement.

Background

Engineering, by its very nature, involves design – creating solutions to real world problems. While the design process can take place based on existing technologies and well-established science, engineering innovation often requires a connection to cutting-edge science. One way to prepare future engineering professionals to interact with researchers and push the frontiers of engineering innovation is to introduce this connection to engineering students. While Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) supplements allow individual students to be integrated into a research laboratory experience, the research and design processes are very different.

As defined by ABET, the accrediting organization for engineering programs in the US, engineering design is a process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs and specifications within constraints1. It is an iterative process that involves identifying opportunities, developing requirements, performing analysis, generating multiple solutions, evaluating those solutions against the requirements, considering risks, and making trade-offs – all for the purpose of obtaining a high-quality solution under the given circumstances. All students in an accredited engineering program must complete a culminating design experience. Providing a mechanism to connect students’ design education to the research conducted in NSF-funded laboratories will create a bridge between the discovery of research and the translational potential of design.

Supplemental Funding Opportunity

NSF will consider supplemental funding requests to support student design projects connected to active NSF grants. The goals of these supplements are the following:

  • To connect student design projects to innovative, NSF-supported research and the latest advances in engineering science.
  • To expose students to the discovery process of research while preparing them for their roles in the engineering workforce.
  • To provide a team of students with the funds necessary to pursue the design process, from need finding, industry and customer discovery, through prototyping and validation.

Description of Activities Supported

The PI of an active NSF award (see below for the participating Divisions) may request supplemental funding to support a mentored, student-led design project that is connected to their NSF award. To be eligible, the design-research connection should meet one of the following two criteria:

  • A project that builds on scientific advances from the research by applying that knowledge to solve a current challenge.
  • A project that challenges students to design a technology, device, or system to complement or augment the methods or aims of the research project.

In addition, eligible projects are expected to meet the following requirements:

  • Projects must be conducted by students, preferably as a team
  • The solution to the challenge should not be pre-determined (i.e. the students are not simply implementing a design developed by the PI), so that the students go through the complete engineering design process – including development of a prototype or system simulation, as appropriate.
  • The project should require students to consider relevant standards and realistic constraints.
  • Project support from the supplement must be used to support the design process, including need finding, industry and customer discovery, prototyping, and validation/verification, not student time.

Requirements

PIs must describe how the design project will be mentored and assessed. The project may be part of a capstone design course or an independent project course, both of which have mentoring and assessment frameworks. Please see the list below for the participating divisions that will consider these supplemental funding requests.

Participating Divisions – Directorate for Engineering

Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET)

Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)

Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems (ECCS)

Additional information including preparation instructions, funding amount, allowable costs, due dates and period of support can be found in the NSF Dear Colleague letter NSF 19-078.