Recent advances in theory, along with computing hardware and software, now make it possible to identify molecules and materials, and to compute some of their expected properties, even before actual synthesis and processing have been carried out. With computer-aided design, ONR is exploring the fundamental science to lower the cost of research and development, and to derive optimally designed materials.
The Computer-Aided Materials Design (CAMD) program funds research projects in materials design. Approximately 20 percent of its core budget does that. However, we are cognizant that the tools needed to design materials do not yet exist or are only in their nascent state of development. Accordingly, about 80 percent of the core budget is focused on tools needed to design materials. New theories, new algorithms and new computational protocols are important to us.
Research Concentration Areas
The CAMD program is dynamic and changes over time. The current instantiation consists of four main thrusts:
- Informatics
- High throughput screening concepts (experiment and computational)
- Multi-scale modeling
- Theoretical chemistry and materials science
The CAMD program does not focus on a single class of material. Any material, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, is within the program scope. Current projects include:
- Polymers and polymer composites
- Alloys
- Ceramics
- Amorphous materials
Both structural and functional materials are covered. This program often co-funds research projects with other program officers at ONR.
Research Challenges and Opportunities
Researchers in the following disciplines are currently supported but there are no bounds on this:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Materials science
- Applied mathematics
- Computer science
- Engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical)
How to Submit
For detailed application and submission information for this research topic, please refer to our broad agency announcement (BAA) No. N0001425SB001.
Contracts: All white papers and full proposals for contracts must be submitted through FedConnect; instructions are included in the BAA.
Grants: All white papers for grants must be submitted through FedConnect, and full proposals for grants must be submitted through grants.gov; instructions are included in the BAA.