Participating Lab: DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL)

Internal Fireball Reactions, Intensity, and Temperature (IFRIT)

Research Opportunity Description:
The project involves implementing a newly designed and constructed DEVCOM ARL hyperspectral imaging system as a novel diagnostic to understand the internal structure of the fireball produced by aluminized explosives. The investigation will focus on optimum pinhole array configurations (spacing, hole size, etc.) of the system for expected fireball scenes. The system will be calibrated using the optimum pinhole array and a blackbody furnace. Students will collect internal fireball data from metallized and conventional HE charges with simple detonation experiments. Time permitting, data processing/management routines will be established.

Advanced Ceramics for Extreme Conditions

Research Opportunity Description:
Opportunities exist for foundational and early applied research and development (R&D) efforts towards enabling the next generation ceramics and ceramic composites for Army systems. Research activities include: 1) novel synthesis and processing techniques for opaque and transparent ceramics and composites with optimal structure/properties for extreme environments and high-rate impact, 2) advanced manufacturing science for development of heterogeneous multi-scale ceramics and interfaces with high fracture and failure tolerance, 3) high-throughput simulation, machine learning and design optimization for processing-structure-property relationships, and 4) high-throughput non-destructive evaluation and characterization for materials discovery.

Densification of Binder Jet Additive Manufactured Ceramics

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Binder jet is an additive manufacturing technique capable of forming advanced ceramics parts with geometric complexity. A major challenge with this process lies in the densification of binder jet parts, as powder feedstocks amenable to binder jetting are often not sinterable. This project aims to explore densification methods beyond solid-state sintering of binder jet ceramics, such as polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP). Ceramics of interest are carbide and boride materials. Process parameters of interest include the binder jet powder feedstock, the polymer chemistry and rheology, the infiltration process, and the thermal processing.

Advanced Manufacturing Process

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Convergent Manufacturing (CM) is the term used to describe fabrication of multifunctional devices and structures and can incorporate any number of manufacturing technologies and materials to fabricate these products. CM is expected to revolutionize the design, fabrication and application of electronic packaging and antenna structures. An objective of this project to establish process-material-design relationships for convergent manufacturing of conformal electronics embedded into 3D printed structures. The researcher will: develop feedstock materials, including conductors, dielectrics, and insulators; develop manufacturing processes, such as aerosol deposition, inkjet printing, SLA, FFF, injection molding, ultrasonic welding, robotic milling and drilling, and plasma modification; develop manufacturing parameters to prepare the materials/parts.

Shock impact of metal reactive materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Laser-driven flyer plates (LDFP) can be utilized as a small-scale platform to induce high-pressure and shock conditions to powder beds. LDFP uses a focused, high-power laser to propel a small impactor into a sample of interest. This project is focused on using LDFP to impact a wide range of metal powders of varying composition to understand the mechanical and chemical response of the material under shock loading. Project will include learning the LDFP system, collecting data for a variety of samples, processing the data, and compiling the results into a final report.

Science of Manufacturing: Metal Additive Manufacturing

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
3D Printing, known as Additive Manufacturing (AM), is transforming the manufacturing industry. ARL is creating great strides in AM science and technology (S&T) to solve the Army challenges and mission readiness. Effective numerical and experimental methods for quantifying properties of the AM parts during the printing process are critical for enabling AM applications. Understanding the relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties of these material is critical to drive development of future metallic feedstock alloys.

Materials and Tool Development for Neuroscience Research

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This project involves the design and investigation of the mechanical, electrical, biomagnetic, and functional properties of various materials and model tools that will be used for neuroscientific study of tissues such as brain, bone, or skin. The topic contains a broad range of sub-tasks throughout areas of neuroscience, biomedical engineering, materials science, and biochemistry. Example duties may include construction and characterization of materials simulating tissue; investigation of various materials and techniques for appropriateness; design and developing physical models and/or techniques for constructing physical models; use of CAD for model development; or use of additive manufacturing for molds, models, or components. Tasks can range from theoretical development to practical application. A niche can be carved out based on knowledge and interest.

Multimodal Machine-Learning Approaches for Theory of Mind

Research Opportunity Location:
Multimodal Machine-Learning Approaches for Theory of Mind

Research Opportunity Description:
Theory of Mind (ToM) is the capability of an individual to infer the internal mental states (goals, intentions, strategies, desires) of others. It is considered the holy grail of artificial intelligence research, as systems with such capabilities enhanced with computational processing capabilities will have consequences in areas like human-agent teaming, socially-assistive systems, game theory, and wargaming. We still have a long way to go before machines attain such a capability which may be the result of a lack of computational resources; after all, human ToM arose after billions of years of evolution. However, we also theorize that potential ToM systems require diverse training, to the extent of even requiring open-ended learning to allow systems to experiment. Several studies have shown promising results with single agents in static environments, but we aim to expand to multi-agent, dynamic environments to test and facilitate development of a computational ToM system. In this project, we have a few problems we would like to address: + Data: Open-source data illustrating agent intention in a closed environment is lacking. One goal is to create a method for procedurally generating (synthetic) data for training and testing ToM and other cognitive systems. We hypothesize that multimodal data will be the key in facilitating model understanding between, for example, what is being said by, or described about, the agent, and what is being done. + ToM Metrics: How do we ""measure"" ToM? A classic evaluation of ToM capabilities is the Sally-Anne Test and while studies have designed their own versions of the Sally-Anne test, we hypothesize that ToM is a process not tied to performing any one task is particular; it also requires adaptability in learning and understanding. Research in child development proposes several stages to ToM development each of which may help yield tests or a battery of tests for measuring ToM capabilities. Other research proposes the use of natural language to gauge a model's understanding.  + Model: How do we build on recent studies developing ToM models? Is it possible to define a reinforcement learning model for ToM the partakes in open-ended learning? Currently, our best approaches involve using state-of-the-art transformer technologies to train on multimodal datasets, so we inspect such developments to inform our own design choices.  + Mathematical formalization: The concepts for ToM arose from studies in cognitive science and psychology, however we would like to attempt to research literature in mathematical cognitive science/psychology/neuroscience to break the problem down in the language of sets/functions, which may facilitate algorithm development.

Structure-Property Relationships in Cemented WC-Co

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Cemented tungsten carbide (WC) is an ideal material for cutting tool applications due to its high hardness and wear resistance. The material is comprised of hard WC grains cemented together by a matrix cobalt (Co) phase. The bulk material properties are controlled by aspects of the microstructure, such as the WC grains size/distribution and Co content. This project aims to develop advanced powder processing approaches to engineer complex cemented microstructures. The mechanical properties of these samples will be characterized to develop relationships between the cemented microstructure and bulk material properties relevant to the applications of interest.

Application of Virtual Fields Method to Identify the Anisotropic Behavior of Laminated Composite Materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Laminated composites plays an important role for the Army across many applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratios and design flexibility. These materials are widely used in personnel protection, sabots, and UAVs. However, characterizing the mechanical properties of these materials remains a challenge, particularly due to their anisotropic behavior. This project focuses on the implementation of inverse methods based on the Virtual Fields Method or VFM to enhance the identification of material properties of laminated composites. VFM allows for the extraction of mechanical parameters from measured displacement/strain fields from Digital Image Correlation (DIC) obtained during experimental testing. By applying this approach, we will develop a robust framework that integrates experimental data with computational modeling. The outcomes of this research will not only enhance the fundamental understanding of laminated composites but also provide valuable insights for the design of safer and more efficient composite structures across multiple industries.

Tribology of Materials in Fuels

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This project seeks to determine the mechanisms of fuel lubricity and the behavior of different materials in fuels in sliding mechanical interfaces. Our group uses tribometers to measure the mechanical behavior of materials (friction, wear, damage) and relate that to the properties of the materials and lubricants and their unique chemistry. This project will involve research to understand how and why different material combinations with various fuel chemistries resist wear and destruction for potential use in high-performance fuel systems for air and ground vehicles. The project specifics can be adjusted based on student abilities and interests.

Laser Micromachining for High-Throughput Mechanical Testing

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Accelerating materials discovery is key to delivering novel materials solutions. One rate-limiting step in the materials development chain is the evaluation of mechanical properties, particularly ductility and fracture properties. To address the challenge, high-throughput sample fabrication and testing methodologies must be developed. One potential solution is femtosecond laser micromachining of millimeter-scale specimens. In this opportunity, the participant will support the development of laser machining protocols employing the unique laser facilities at DEVCOM ARL and demonstrate the high-throughput capacity by testing the machined specimens. The outcomes of this research will contribute to current and future DEVCOM ARL materials development programs.

Airgun control system overhaul

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM ARL has several airguns located at Adelphi Laboratory Complex (ALC). The current 7-inch airgun system is controlled by series of disparate and improvised devices and interfaces. Modifications and "band-aid" repairs to the system over several decades has led to an amalgam of interfaces and controls that are outdated and non-obvious. These “quirks” result in a system that is unnecessarily complex to operate and potentially makes the system less reliable and less safe to operate. This proposed effort would task a summer student with learning about the operation of this system and then working with DEVCOM ARL mentor and team to conceive, design and implement a modern comprehensive control system. Specific tasks would likely include: • Identify and diagram the current airgun system • Removal of existing unnecessary airgun control hardware. Any hardware/systems that can continue to be used should be characterized and documented. • Propose modernized control and instrumentation setup to include system diagrams, market research, modeling and peer review • Hands-on modifications and installation of a new, unified airgun control and triggering system. This system should control all airgun firing operations, diagnostic instruments, and safety measures and should operate with minimal differences in setup and procedures between atmospheric and positive pressure shots.

Convergent Manufacturing of Electronic Material

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The project involves designing, fabricating, and testing electronic devices manufactured with novel convergent manufacturing techniques. These techniques utilize novel CAD/CAM software and equipment. The electronic devices will be evaluated for their material properties in extreme environments.

Microscale characterization of energetic material reactions

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM ARL's microscale characterization laboratory is seeking motivated graduate students to spend the summer obtaining data on various reactive and energetic materials. Relevant techniques include sensitivity measurements (electrostatic discharge, impact, and friction), the laser-induced air shock from energetic materials (LASEM) method, and confined laser ignition experiments. We use various spectrometers, high-speed cameras, and other diagnostics to obtain as much information as possible about the high-temperature reactions of the materials, using the smallest possible quantities (on the order of milligrams).

Understanding of Plasma Surface Treatment of Aluminum Nanoparticles (nAl) via Materials Characterization and Simulation Modeling

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The intern is expected to perform characterization for untreated and surface-treated aluminum nanoparticles using experimental and/or simulation modeling approaches. Experiments will aim to study properties including but not limited to porosity, particle size distribution, surface chemistry, morphology, and chemical composition using different techniques and equipment available in the group and at DEVCOM ARL. Simulation models will be attempted using the COMSOL Multiphysics available at DEVCOM ARL and in collaboration with industrial partners.

Enhancing Human Cognition with Foundational Models

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This group project aims to enhance human cognition by leveraging foundational models to improve memory, mental model formation, communication, and decision-making among Soldiers. Students of diverse backgrounds will collaborate in a multi-disciplinary (e.g., computer science, machine learning, neuroscience, psychology, and human-computer interaction) effort to research human behaviors, human-machine interactions, and AI system design. Students will create novel methods to research and develop human-AI systems interactions that can lead to augmented development and maintenance of situational understanding during complex and dynamic human interactions.

Filamentous fungal genetic engineering for organism control

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The student will be involved in the culturing and genetic engineering of filamentous fungal organisms. This will involve designing experiments and using modern cloning and transformation techniques. The student will then work on characterizing the modified organisms they create to see if there are functional changes due to the genetic modifications.

Rate Controlled Tempering Effects

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This summer internship project will develop skills related to understanding and utilizing fundamental structure processing property relationships in steel. The project will integrate modeling-informed experimental design with applied heat treatments and characterization. Technical training on new tools and techniques will be provided throughout the summer internship and professional development opportunities and experiences within DEVCOM ARL and across APG.

Composite and Hybrid Materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Warner Robins, GA

Research Opportunity Description:
Students will gain experience in synthesizing and characterizing a variety of composite and hybrid materials, which may include carbon-carbon composites and 2D polymer films (exact project will depend on Army needs at the time and student interests).

Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies

Research Opportunity Description:
Computer science has often borrowed different things from neuroscience to use as a blueprint for artificial systems. For example, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used for tasks like image classification, feature recognition, and object identification. However, the brain uses many other systems to interact with the world that can serve as foundations for new machine learning algorithms. This project will explore different brain systems and how these systems can be used to develop new, energy-efficient, adaptable algorithms. Potential research questions include: How can different neuroscience research be used as inspiration for new intelligent systems? What and how can technology benefit from different brain-inspired systems?

Hybrid Human-Technology Intelligence

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Most problems benefit from teamwork. Different mindsets, approaches, experiences, and strengths enable teams to accomplish large goals that would be impossible for a single individual to accomplish alone. As technology continues to advance, more and more teams will include both humans and AI agents. This project looks at how to integrate humans and machines to create hybrid teams that surpass what humans can accomplish alone. A few potential research questions include: What new forms of thinking emerge from combining human collectives with technology in novel ways? How might we accelerate the process of collection with novel frameworks, systems, and technological integration?

Human-Guided System Adaptation

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
AI is a quickly evolving tool, that when used properly, can assist both soldiers and civilians alike. But, AI is not yet able to adapt as efficiently or as effectively as humans. We (humans) are highly adaptable and can adjust to a wide variety of situations quickly and without any additional training. On the other hand, current AI systems need large amounts of situation-specific training to become effective and useful, and when the situation changes, it can completely confuse the system. This project will look at the creation and modification of human-guided adaptation approaches; a method that uses the human to inject adaptability into intelligent systems, reducing training time, cost, and errors. A few potential research questions include: How can humans intuitively adapt intelligent systems for new uses, environments, and situations? How can intelligent systems take in and use human feedback and experience?

Additive manufacturing of highly filled systems

Research Opportunity Location:
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The via DSC, DMA, mechanical testing, rheology, and/or microscopy. Depending on the student’s interest, aspects of the research can be to prepare and scale up chemical reactions and separations to produce monomers and polymerizable oligomers for light curing and thermal curing additive manufacturing techniques with DEVCOM-ARL expert chemists. The researcher would then characterize these chemicals using FTIR, NMR, and other techniques.

Advanced Li-ion Battery Materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Students will work on Li-ion battery materials to improve battery performance, including energy density, capacity, life cycle, and stability.

Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) antenna design & evaluation

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The project involves continually assessing the design of sinuous antennas and exploring new designs and approaches for application to standoff synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and close-in downward-looking ground penetrating radar (DLGPR) for ultra-wideband (UWB) linear and nonlinear radar transceivers.

Hardware/Firmware upgrades to RF System-on-a-Chip (RFSoC) along with signal and image processing for pre-screen and AI/ML detection-based algorithms

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The project aims to provide updated capabilities to the transceiver via hardware and firmware upgrades. The upgrades will involve inserting signal and image processing into the RFSoC to support pre-screening, signal ID, and direction finding, along with spectrum agility and reconfiguration based on electromagnetic environment (EME) assessments.

Demonstrating Speech Recognition using ARL-developed AI chip

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This project aims to hire one student to create a demonstration of an ARL-developed AI chip performing speech recognition. The AI chip is designed using a 12nm finfet process and has state-of-the-art AI inference efficiency. The student will connect the AI chip development board to a microphone input to capture speech commands and an output screen to display the commands correctly. The development board will also be connected to source meters to show power consumption of the speech inference. The student will be located at DEVCOM ARL headquarters in Adelphi, MD. The project mentor will be remote but visit regularly, and other team members will work at DEVCOM ARL headquarters.

Diamond surface characterization and analysis

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Interns will be responsible for analyzing surfaces and interfaces of diamond and related semiconductor, dielectric, and metallic materials using analysis techniques such as Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Measurements may require materials and surfaces be cleaned and/or prepared for measurement using mechanical and chemical techniques. Interns may be required to perform some experimentation to determine optimal preparation methods.

Modeling of Battery Materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
As part of this research effort, the selected candidate will work within a highly interdisciplinary team of scientists at DEVCOM ARL, university collaborators, and Department of Energy Laboratory counterparts to apply one or more molecular to mesoscale level computational methodologies spanning from density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of bulk battery electrolytes and electrochemical interfaces and complex/composite interphases.

Nuclear Physics Research at the US ARMY Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) research into nuclear physics is focused on the measurement of fundamental physical quantities relevant to nuclear properties and reaction cross-sections. The project will encompass active participation in nuclear measurements, development of detection systems, or analysis of nuclear data.

Radar Development and Data Collection

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Become acquainted with stepped-frequency radar. Learn to operate custom radar software and collect data. Learn to analyze radar results. Perform testing on RF hardware using lab equipment. Perform analysis in MATLAB or similar.

Chemical and Electrochemical Energy Conversion Materials, Devices, and Sensors

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This research is on fuel consumption and creation. The overall research objective is to selectively drive localized, energy-intensive reactions for performance of otherwise impractical (high temperature/pressure) industrial-scale processes, portably and safely, on the nanoscale, such as the utilization of high-energy ethanol in fuel cells at lower overall operation temperatures, and local synthesis of hydrocarbon fuels. Explore novel concepts in energy generation and capture in technologies for efficient conversion of ambient energy to electrical energy for use and storage.

Laser Spectroscopy of Ultra-Wide and Wide Bandgap Semiconductors

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
New ultra-wide and wide bandgap (U/WBG) semiconductor materials are important to making advances in power and RF electronics, as well as ultraviolet (UV) optoelectronics. This project applies laser spectroscopy techniques, including photoluminescence and time-correlated single photon counting, to understand electron-hole dynamics in these new materials. This understanding is used to provide feedback to team members so they can grow better materials and design improved devices, including transistors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and lasers.

Scene context for decision making

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM Army Research Lab (ARL) is seeking dedicated researchers, engineers, and technologists with an interest in developing or implementing visual perception models to extract relevant visual information from a scene. These models are aimed to support the decision-making of an autonomous system or human agent to help them better or more rapidly understand their surrounding environment. Decision-making may require understanding the surrounding environment using a combination of low, mid, or high-level visual concepts.

Electromagnetic Effects in Electronics

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This project works to incorporate novel materials and processes with microelectronics to control and/or limit the propagation of electromagnetic signals radiating from an electronics package. The project will involve tasks related to one or more of the following, subject to candidate skills, interests, and experience: data collection and analysis using electrical probe stations, oscilloscopes, high-speed videography, and/or infrared videography; coordination of experimental reliability tests with statistically relevant sample numbers under temperature, humidity, shock, and other environmental stresses; materials characterization such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and/or Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Organic and Organometallic Chromophores for Non-Linear Optical (NLO) Applications

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The successful student would aid in the synthesis, purification, and characterization of new organic and organometallic chromophores for the development of novel non-linear optical (NLO) materials. The student would gain experience in analyzing chemical characterization techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), x-ray crystallography, electrochemistry, and optical characterization including, UV-visible absorption, photoluminescence, transient absorption, and Z-scan spectroscopies. References: [1]Olumba, M. E., et al., Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 48, 19344–19353; [3] O'Donnell, R. M., et al., Inorganic Chemistry 2017, 56 (15), 9273-9280.

Applications of interface traps analysis techniques to UWBGS Devices

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The student will perform a literature review of current trap analysis techniques, and test them out on our UWBGS devices. The goal is to find if not, and why. If time allows, are there modifications that can be done to make current techniques applicable? The student will use laboratory equipment to perform the measurements. Training on equipment will be provided. However, the student will be expected to familiarize with the measurement systems via manual or other resources available. More details will be provided as required.

MOSFET Field Plate Engineering

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The student will perform a literature review of current field plate designs for field-effect transistors and attempt to reduce the electric field intensity on our UWBGS devices. The goal is to understand the role of each field plate parameter, which parameters have the most impact, and recommend a design to be implemented. The student will be using COMSOL to perform simulations of field plate design. More details will be provided as required.

Creating Innovative EM Models with I/O Neural Networks

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The objective goal is to develop a neural network(s) to take electromagnetic simulation run parameters (I/O variables) to predict the inputs needed for desired outputs. This machine learning neural network source code will be created, trained & run successfully predictively this summer.

Quantum Science and Technology

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Assist in the development of quantum systems for sensing and quantum information applications. Such systems leverage the unique effects of quantum mechanics to enhance the detection of electromagnetic fields, gravity, and time or perform optimized computational operations. Work in this area spans a wide range of technical skills and disciplines and will focus on developing critical component technologies including lasers and optical apparatuses, electronics, material growth, or experimental automation and control.

AI and ML-based detection algorithm development and assessment

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Collection of multiple position, angle, and frequency spectrum data sets to feed AI and ML-based detection algorithms.

Radioisotope Persistent Power

Research Opportunity Description:
Investigate the radiation tolerance of ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor materials (AlGaN, Ga2O3, diamond) to increase the power density of both betavoltaic and alphavoltaic power sources.

Ultrawide Bandgap Power Switches

Research Opportunity Description:
Semiconductor power switches, used to control and regulate power supplies to electronic devices, electromechanical equipment, and lighting, will find increasingly broad application in such diverse fields as telecommunications, energy storage, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. Ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) materials are attractive candidates for power switches due to their high breakdown fields and low on-resistance. We investigate the design, epitaxial growth, fabrication, and testing of UWBG AlGaN-based lateral power switches.

Environmental fungal characterization, genomics, and enzymes

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Biological and Biotechnology Sciences division seeks summer researchers to work on a fungal microbiology project. This project will entail culturing and characterizing an environmental fungal microorganism, performing ultra-high molecular weight genomic DNA extractions and long-read sequencing, and isolating and characterizing proteins/enzymes from the fungal organism. Previous laboratory experience in a microbiology/molecular biology lab is preferred but not required.

Additive Manufacturing for Electronics

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The Additive Manufacturing team within the Electromagnetic Effects Branch works to incorporate new materials with micrometer scale and nanometer scale 3D-printing process with microelectronics chips, interconnects, and packaging to enable novel, conformal, printed-circuit-board-like integration into non-planar form factors. The project will involve tasks related to one or more of the following, subject to candidate skills, interests, and experience: solid modeling, 3D printing, testing related to novel convergent manufacturing and additive manufacturing methods, low-SWaP sensor systems, data analysis, user interfaces, data analysis, and/or artificial intelligence/machine learning techniques for 3D printing part design.

Atmospheric Remote Sensing

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The atmosphere affects all propagating signals, such as acoustic, electro-optic, and electromagnetic. This research will focus on atmospheric remote sensing: data collection, preparation, and analysis. Of particular interest is identifying atmospheric/environmental phenomena in urban, littoral, and other complex environments, developing methodologies to analyze and characterize phenomena (e.g., vortex shedding, ducting), developing methodologies to identify and remove dynamic clutter for autonomous sensing, and analyzing environmental impacts on signatures (EO, EM/RF and acoustic). Research may include operating remote sensing equipment, analyzing data, and writing data analysis and/or control software. Codes utilize Matlab, but Python, C, and C++ may also be available for those interested. Remote sensing equipment includes Doppler wind lidars, radars, and acoustic sensors.

Li-ion battery materials

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
The students will work on materials to improve the performance of Li-ion batteries in terms of improved energy density, cycle life and rate capability.

Sensor Analytics

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
By leveraging signal processing and machine-learning algorithms, the hired candidate will help develop autonomous sensor systems that can analyze moving targets. The goal is to analyze extensive sensor datasets to extract knowledge from large geographic areas.

Meta-Optic Integrated Circuits

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
This summer research project focuses on developing meta-optic components for integration into photonic circuits. Participants will utilize various optical materials and advanced numerical modeling techniques to investigate the unique capabilities of meta-optics in manipulating light at subwavelength scales, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the performance and functionality of photonic integrated circuits.

Radioisotope Voltaics for Persistent Power Conversion

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
We are looking for a student team that can support us in a variety of projects related to materials research of semiconductors and scintillators for radioisotope voltaic converters. Specific research projects include: 1) Utilizing Monte Carlo and radiation physics modeling to investigate alpha particle damage and energy deposition in materials. 2) Supporting materials synthesis programs to make both semiconductors and scintillators to be able to process and integrate within a device. 3) Utilizing COMSOL to integrate alpha particle irradiation and semiconductor device physics for modeling an alphavoltaic converter. 4) Engineering and prototyping a voltaic stack integrated with a scintillator for device testing under both electron beam and alpha particle irradiation. 5) Performing electron beam irradiation tests to obtain I-V curves and analyze device performance. The overall goal is to investigate the radiation tolerance of materials to increase the power density of both, including optimizing the more well-established betavoltaic devices.   

Ultrawide Bandgap Power Switches

Research Opportunity Location:
Adelphi, MD

Research Opportunity Description:
Semiconductor power switches, used to control and regulate power supplies to electronic devices, electromechanical equipment, and lighting, will find increasingly broad applications in such diverse fields as telecommunications, energy storage, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. Ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) materials are attractive candidates for power switches due to their high breakdown fields and low on-resistance. We investigate the design, epitaxial growth, device fabrication, and testing of UWBG AlGaN-based lateral power switches. Interested students of electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry are encouraged to apply to this announcement.

Emissivity Characterization of Refractory Materials and Data Acquisition

Research Opportunity Location:
Chicago, IL

Research Opportunity Description:
The Summer Participant will focus on making direct emissivity measurements of various refractory materials at high temperatures. Emissivity, which varies with material type, temperature, and surface morphology, will be measured to help in the system design of a thermo-photovoltaic power source, where accurate data is essential to understanding energy conversion.

Materials for Soft Actuation

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
DEVCOM ARL is interested in scientific research into integrating active, actuating soft materials into passive structures for robotic maneuverability. The goal is to obtain multi-degree of freedom motion by leveraging additively manufactured complex architectures coupled with selective positioning of active components.

Human See, Robot Do: Developing novel forms of communication and teaming with LLM based agents.

Research Opportunity Location:
Playa Vista, Los Angeles, CA

Research Opportunity Description:
Join our innovative research team for physiological data for multi-modal LLMs. What You'll Do: Assist in developing and prototyping a multimodal dialogue system that integrates physiology and speech/text to improve understanding between LLMs and humans. Conduct experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of our system by comparing it to traditional models without physiological data. Data sources may include gaze, gestures, pupil size, heart rate, and movement data. Why You Should Apply: Work at the cutting edge of robotics and cognitive science with a focus on real-world applications in military settings. Gain hands-on experience in natural language processing, machine learning, and human-machine interfaces.

XR for Shared Mission Planning, Analysis, and Situational Awareness

Research Opportunity Location:
Playa Vista, Los Angeles, CA

Research Opportunity Description:
Technologies like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (collectively XR) create new opportunities to help people understand complex, quickly changing, and highly uncertain information. Research under this project will help us understand how to effectively and efficiently portray information to people and groups to support fast, accurate decision-making, creativity, and adaptability. Specific topics might include: Dynamic filtering, contextual zoom, and information summarization for individual and group awareness Uncertainty portrayal and expression Interacting with new kinds of information Human/Autonomy Interaction in XR

Strain and Metabolic Engineering

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We are seeking a motivated student to join our team for research in strain engineering, which focuses on modifying microorganisms to enhance their capabilities in producing valuable chemicals, improving stress resilience, or optimizing metabolic pathways. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge genetic engineering techniques, including modifying gene expression, creating mutant strains, and evaluating their performance under different conditions. You’ll collaborate with experienced researchers to design, test, and refine microbial strains to achieve specific, innovative outcomes.

Computational Science for biotechnology

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We seek a driven student to join our team in a computational biology project focused on writing scripts to automate data workflows and streamline experimental planning. You will help develop and implement scripts that bridge input and output formats for robotic systems and create complex data analysis pipelines. This role will also involve designing automation tools for experimental planning and integrating FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles into the design-build-test-learn cycle. You will collaborate with scientists to ensure data flows seamlessly across different platforms, contributing to more efficient and reproducible research.

Analytical chemistry for biotechnology

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We seek a chemistry student to join our team in a research project focused on chemical identification and strain characterization using advanced analytical techniques. In this role, you will work with mass spectrometry (MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze and identify chemical compounds produced by engineered strains. This project will give you hands-on experience in sample preparation, operation of MS and HPLC systems, and data analysis to characterize metabolites, proteins, or other biomolecules. You will collaborate with researchers to uncover the chemical profiles of different strains, contributing to breakthroughs in biotechnology and synthetic biology.

Laboratory automation for biotechnology

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We seek a detail-oriented student to join our team in a research project focused on laboratory automation, where you’ll work with advanced robotic systems to streamline and optimize experimental workflows. This project uses state-of-the-art automation platforms such as the Tecan Fluent, Echo robot, Mantis robot, and Integra Assist Plus to perform tasks like high-throughput screening, liquid handling, and assay setup with precision and efficiency. You’ll gain valuable experience in programming and operating these automated systems to accelerate data collection and improve experimental reproducibility, working closely with researchers to develop cutting-edge solutions in a variety of scientific fields.

Protein engineering for biotechnology

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We are looking for an enthusiastic student to join our team in a research project focused on protein engineering, where you will work to design and modify proteins to enhance their functions or create new capabilities. This project will involve using techniques such as mutagenesis, directed evolution, and computational modeling to develop proteins with desirable traits for applications in areas like biotechnology or industrial processes. You’ll gain hands-on experience in protein expression, purification, and characterization, working closely with researchers to test and optimize new protein designs.

Team based biotechnology pipeline testing

Research Opportunity Location:
Austin, TX

Research Opportunity Description:
We are looking for motivated students to join a unique project where teams will compete to stress-test strain development using innovative new pipelines. This project is designed to simulate real-world challenges in strain engineering, pushing newly developed microbial strains to their limits under various conditions. You will work in a collaborative, yet competitive, environment, designing experiments, troubleshooting strain performance, and utilizing advanced pipelines for testing. Throughout the project, you will analyze data to assess which team’s approach yields the most robust and efficient strains, gaining valuable experience in experimental design, strain optimization, and teamwork.

Atmospheric Effects for Decision Advantage and Lethality Overmatch

Research Opportunity Location:
White Sands, NM

Research Opportunity Description:
These efforts which feed a cross-echelon situational awareness for command and control decisions. This effort includes research on dynamics and changes in the atmospheric boundary layer in complex Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) environments and conditions (complex terrain/ dense urban and unique or dynamic regions of atmospheric change) with particular emphasis on the atmospheric surface layer and the land- surface processes, which inform Windows of X (mitigating vulnerability, exploiting opportunity, etc.) in planning and operations. The effort will also investigate atmospheric effects on multi-modal sensing for detection, localization and tracking to improve accuracy of aided target recognition for air and ground defense in an increasingly uncertain and rapidly changing threat environment. This effort applies foundational research on atmospheric impacts and effects on DoD systems and operations. The research will employ experimental data collection and model development of impact on key systems in achieving freedom of maneuver and lethality overmatch. Focusing research on atmospheric characterization and modeling of complex atmospheric conditions in challenging terrain provides prediction and correction information for developing Army systems for kinetic and non-kinetic collaborative protection, protection and exploitation of electromagnetic spectrum for tactical advantage (to include renewable energy), detection and characterization of threat and toxic industrial aerosol, resilient and robust sensing and counter-sensing for UAVs, and models for UAV flight dynamics and high-speed flight systems operating under extreme conditions.