Computational Researcher - Mathematics, Engineering, Phsyics

OrganizationU.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

AFRL711HPW-2019-0027

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) leads the discovery, development and delivery of the warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. We’re pushing the boundaries and creating a new tomorrow through unparalleled research.

The Bioeffects Division of the AFRL leads the mission to exploit and protect against bio-effects of battlefield environmental stressors. Specific objectives include facilitating directed energy weapons development and use and preventing mission degradation due to directed energy exposure, enabling our forces to function safely, effectively, and efficiently on the directed energy battlefield.

This research opportunity involves creating a numerical toolbox for the fractional calculus, which is a powerful branch of mathematics dealing with differentiation and integration of arbitrary order. Research has shown that biophysical processes, such as laser-tissue interaction, deviate from the predictions given by traditional mathematical models for short laser exposure times. In general, it was found that the shorter the exposure time is, the stronger the deviation will be. However, generalizing these models by recasting them as fractional order differential equations have resulted in models that show high agreement with experimental observation regardless of exposure duration.

As an ORISE participant you will not only have the unique opportunity to learn about these methods from leaders in the field, but will also apply them in a research-industry setting. First you will perform an initial literature survey to see what algorithms and methods already exist so that they may be replicated inside of the toolbox/library. This provides opportunities for hands-on learning including writing examples as well as routines for error analysis/performance metrics. The result will be the development of models that have the capability to simulate combinations of different biophysical processes that occur during directed energy exposure.

This ORISE (https://orise.orau.gov/) research opportunity will allow you help solve some our most challenging scientific problems. As a result you will gain hands-on research experience for a high profile government agency. You will also gain exposure to top research scientist in your field and be able to network with other ORISE participants and add to your professional network.

Participant is expected to have working knowledge and experience with implementing numerical methods for solving differential equations in the C and/or Python programming languages. A background in mathematics, engineering, and/or computational physics would be favorable.

If you have questions, send an email to AIRFORCE@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code of this opportunity in the subject line of the email.