Biological Sciences
Abstract
Biological basic science research provides the fundamental knowledge necessary to understand and enable technologies associated with selected biological responses induced by chemical and physical agents, electromagnetic sensors based on biomimicry, biomolecular materials, biochromatics, and luminescence. The goal is to exploit biological properties to control and manipulate operational environments. Research topics are focused on the interactions of chemicals and physical agents (lasers and microwaves) with human tissues and associated effects to enable safety assessment strategies, hazard-free development and use of future air and space materials and directed energy systems, and innovation of biotechnologies to enhance the physiological performance and protection of Air Force personnel. Research in biomimetic sensors strives to mimic the biological detection systems of organisms at the molecular level in developing novel man-made sensors. Basic research in biocatalysis characterizes and bioengineers cellular enzymes to biosynthesize renewable hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. Research in biomaterials focuses on the mimicking of natural materials, using organisms as biomaterial factories of new materials, genetically altering existing organisms for new materials capabilities, or taking existing biomaterials/organisms and using them as novel materials like viral gradients or processing them further to make a useful material as in biomineralization. Research in biointerfacial science is focused on new biosensors and bionanotechnology, and specifically addresses the fundamental science at either the biotic-biotic or the biotic-abiotic interface. Research in biophysical mechanisms will look to discover and understand basic biological mechanisms that could be used to either harden or repair bio-based devices or utilize complex, impure biofuels for compact power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 612312_0601102F_1_3600_PB_2011
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- Root: Defense Research Sciences
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Characterize, understand, predict, control, and engineer biomolecular responses induced in organisms by chemical and physical agents of Air Force significance.
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