Mathematics, Information, & Life Sciences(RSL)

AFOSR

Dr. Hugh C De LongInterim Director

Mathematics, Information, and Life Sciences Directorate

March 2011

Distribution A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 88ABW-2011-0785

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RSL’s Vision and Strategy

VisionRSL strong contributor to the AFOSR objective of: Excellence in Science with Transformative Impact to the AF/DoD, through enhanced dynamic operational capabilities advancing AF effectiveness for dominance in air, space, and cyber

StrategyIdentify and foster discovery of scientific fundamentals in mathematical-, life-, and information- sciences underlying the design, implementation and deployment of complex systems and operations relevant to AF problems

Fundamental Philosophy and Tactic (Research& Education)

Maintain and enhance strength within core disciplinary areas

Foster and exploit synergism across scientific disciplines

Maintain and expand collaborations across programs within the Directorate, across the 3 AFOSR Directorates, and across other agencies, in the US and internationally

Enhance opportunities for transition to AFRLs, scientific and technological advances induced through AFOSR sponsorship

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RSL Portfolios and Program Managers

Information Sciences

Systems and Software – Dr. David Luginbuhl (Jan2011 -> AFRL/RH)

Information Operations and Security - Dr. Robert Herklotz (2000)

Complex Network Systems - Dr. Robert Bonneau (2007)

Human Performance

Distributed Intelligence, Information Fusion - Dr. Tristan Nguyen (Oct 2010)

Cognitive Modeling and Robust Decision Making - Dr. Jun Zhang (Jan2011 -> UMich)

Socio-Cultural Modeling - Dr. Terrance Lyons (2007) (+Assisting PM, Jun2011)

Mathematics

Dynamics Systems and Controls - (Acting PM / Dr. Fariba Fahroo)

Optimization and Discrete Mathematics - Dr. Donald Hearn (2007 - 2010) – (Feb 2011)

Computational Mathematics - Dr. Fariba Fahroo (2003)

Biological Sciences

Sensory Information Systems - Dr. Willard Larkin (1999)

BioEnergy - Dr. Walter Kozumbo (1992)

Natural Materials, Systems and Extremophiles - Dr. Hugh DeLong (2002); also RSL Interim Dir

C4I - Dr. James Lawton (EOARD)

Info, Decision Making & Human Performance - Dr. David Atkinson (AOARD)

- Lt. Col. Tammy Savoie (EOARD)

- Lt. Col. David Sonntag (AOARD)

“New PM”~Mar2011

“New PM”~Apr2011

“New PM”~Apr2011

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The AirForce 10yr + 10 Yr Outlook: Technology Horizons Report

Priority Key Technology Areas / (RSL)as Research Opportunities !!!

• Autonomous systems

• Autonomous reasoning and learning

• Resilient autonomy

• Complex adaptive systems

• V&V for complex adaptive systems

• Collaborative/cooperative control

• Autonomous mission planning

• Cold-atom INS

• Chip-scale atomic clocks

• Ad hoc networks

• Polymorphic networks

• Agile networks

• Laser communications

• Frequency-agile RF systems

• Spectral mutability

• Dynamic spectrum access

• Quantum key distribution

• Multi-scale simulation technologies

• Coupled multi-physics simulations

• Embedded diagnostics

• Decision support tools

• Automated software generation

• Sensor-based processing

• Behavior prediction and anticipation

• Cognitive modeling

• Cognitive performance augmentation

• Human-machine interfaces

http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100727-053.pdf

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AFOSR Strategic Plan:RSL Focus Areas

Information & Complex Networks

Focus: research required to enable reliable and secure exchange of

information and predictable operation of networks and systems

where emphasis is on the mathematics that underlies fundamentals

Decision Making

Focus: discovery of mathematical laws, foundational scientific principles,

and new, reliable and robust algorithms, which underlie intelligent,

symbiotic human-machine decision making to achieve accurate real-

time projection of expertise and knowledge into and out of the battle

space.

Dynamical Systems, Optimization & Control

Focus: emphasizes mathematical research for discovering new scientific

concepts supported by rigorous analysis for advancing the science

of autonomy and promoting the understanding necessary to analyze

and design complex multi-scale systems as well as provide

guaranteed levels of performance

Natural Materials and Systems

Focus: Studying, using, mimicking, or altering the novel ways that

natural systems build exquisite materials and sensors that often

outperform manmade versions and perform under extreme

conditions.

Computer, Information, and Intelligent Systems►Software Methods for Complex Systems ► Network Systems Science

► Information Fusion ► Information Security ► Systems Engineering

► Cognitive Modeling ► Socio-Cultural Modeling

Dynamical Systems, Optimization, and Control

► Computational & Discrete Mathematics ► Dynamical Systems

► Hybrid Systems Adaptive Control ► Embedded Optimization

► Scalable Algorithms ► Multiscale Models ► Uncertainty Quantification

Natural and Engineered Complex Systems► Biomimetics of Materials and Flight ► Extremophiles ► Bioenergy

► Human-Machine Interfaces ► Sensors and Sensor Systems

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Expanding Fundamental Research Opportunitiesfor New Capabilities with Transformative Impact

Additional topics of emphasis in FY12 BAA

+• TO BE CONTINUED….

(Cross-Directorate /Cross-DoD/Cross-Agencies/International Collaborations)

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Interaction Strategies with our research communities

• Academia

– PI Meetings, Site Visits, PMs Seminars

– We are increasing presence in conferences and other professional forums

• Organize workshops around conferences

• Increasing opportunities for program presentations in conferences

• AFRL Technical Directorates (TDs)

– RSL Dir – visited early-on, TDs we fund – and those we don’t(!)

– Have taken steps to increase funding levels and scope of funding to TDs

– RSL PMs to visit TDs

– Proactive in connecting our academic PIs with TDs

• Visits/Talks, Visiting Appointments to TDs by PIs, PostDocs, Students, …

• Connecting TDs/ChiefScientists to Academic Centers and other Facilities

• Connecting with other sectors – other agencies (US&International), GovLabs,

…