RAP opportunity at Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program AF STFP
Materials for Controlling the Propagation of Mechanical Waves
Location
Materials & Manufacturing, RX/Soft Matter Materials
| opportunity |
location |
|
| 13.25.04.C0626 |
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 454337817 |
Advisers
| name |
email |
phone |
|
| Abigail T Juhl |
abigail.juhl.1@us.af.mil |
385 634 5401 |
Description
This topic addresses control of acoustic and elastic wave propagation using both active and passive phononic crystals (PnC) and resonant metamaterials (RMM), which are typically architected materials composed of periodic unit cells. The performance of these materials depends not only on the constitutive materials used for their composition but also the structural configuration of their unit cell, requiring competency in both material science and structural dynamics. One goal of this research is to use state of the art materials and processing to create adaptive or autonomous PnC/RMM capable of changing their dynamic behavior in response to external stimuli. Another goal is the development of techniques to aid in the design of the unit cell architecture to enable novel effects (e.g. optimization, numerical modeling, analytical relationships, etc.). The overarching objective of this research area is to solve practical Air Force problems using PnC/RMM phenomena like negative effective properties, non-reciprocity, non-linearity and interface effects (e.g. boundary conditions, lattice defects, topological edge modes). Air Force applications include aeroacoustics, vibration reduction, noise reduction, and ultrasonic imaging. Example publications:
1. Metamaterials and Fluid Flows. Nat Commun 17, 4144 (2026).
2. Uncovering low frequency band gaps in electrically resonant metamaterials through tuned dissipation and negative impedance conversion. Smart Materials and Structures 31.1 (2022): 015002.
3. Coiled phononic crystal with periodic rotational locking: subwavelength bragg band gaps. Physical Review Applied 18.1 (2022): 014035.
key words
Elastic metamaterials; Acoustic metamaterials; Periodic structures; Responsive Materials; Phononic Crystals; Wave propagation
Eligibility
citizenship
Open to U.S. citizens
level
Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants
Stipend
| Base Stipend |
Travel Allotment |
Supplementation |
|
| $95,000.00 |
$5,000.00 |
|
Experience Supplement
Postdoctoral and Senior awardees will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.
|
Additional Benefits
relocation
Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.
health insurance
A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.