AFOSR Recognizes Talent in Three Top Young Researchers Published Feb. 24, 2009 By Molly Lachance Air Force Office of Scientific Research ARLINGTON, Va. -- Although pursuing different focus areas of interest to the Air Force, three of this country's finest young researchers are each making a major impact on the frontiers of science and technology. Their work has also put them among an elite group of Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) recipients. Each year, after accepting nominations from eight federal departments and agencies, the White House selects the best and brightest young researchers to receive $200,000-a-year grants for five years to continue their innovative work. This year's Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)-funded recipients are no exception. Dr. Max Shtein, University of Michigan Dr. Shtein's work focuses on developing lightweight, compact and low-cost electronic devices powered by solar rays. If successful, he plans to incorporate these devices into the components of multifunctional, load-bearing structures. One promising application investigates the energy harvesting potential of solar cells coated onto long fibers and then woven into structural textiles. AFOSR program manager Dr. B.L. Lee noted that this research could enable a new generation of more energy-efficient unmanned aerial vehicles with power capability to support longer flights, onboard sensors and propulsion systems, and drastically increased state-awareness. Dr. Zhenqiang "Jack" Ma, University of Wisconsin-Madison Dr. Ma has made the news many times for his work with thin-film transistors, dubbed, "fast bendable computers." Air Force scientists see great promise for these small devices as nearly undetectable components on unevenly shaped objects like aircraft bodies or engines. "The ability to synthesize and manipulate extremely thin films of solid-state materials enables wholly new approaches for improving performance and reducing the size, weight and power in defense and commercial systems," said Dr. Gernot Pomrenke, the AFOSR program manager who nominated Dr. Ma. Dr. Ma has also dedicated considerable effort to flexible photodetectors applicable for high-speed, 360-degree air surveillance photography. In his most recent work, he has introduced the concept of curved photodetectors inspired by the human eye that could nearly eliminate the distortion found near the edges of a photograph. Dr. Haiyan Wang, Texas A&M University Dr. Wang received the PECASE award for her work with high-temperature superconductors and for her efforts in developing future scientists in the field. "Dr. Wang has helped advance her early independent research career by taking advantage of the many Air Force programs available to young scientists and engineers," said Dr. Harold Weinstock, AFOSR program manager. After offering to use samples provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for her work, she went on to participate in the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program with AFRL's Propulsion Directorate. Her success made her Dr. Weinstock's top choice for the Young Investigator Program in 2007. Now, as a PECASE recipient, Dr. Wang is developing new superconductors expected to carry three to five times more electrical current than conventional power cables and at higher temperatures. These devices are important to the development of new Air Force energy weapons and should allow for more-efficient and less-expensive power generators, high-frequency source magnets, transformers and electric motors. By funding researchers like these, AFOSR continues to encourage promising young scientists and engineers investigating topics of importance to the DoD and expand the possibility of scientific knowledge through its leadership and management of the Air Force's basic research program.