Xuan Song is an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Iowa whose research focuses on additive manufacturing
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Professor Xuan Song

Written by Emma Morgan

Xuan Song, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Iowa, has been awarded the highly competitive Air Force Office of Scientific Research, or AFOSR, Young Investigator Program (YIP) award.  

The award will support his research of additive manufacturing of energetic materials. The outcomes of this research can be utilized to design and manufacture novel energetic materials with superior tailorability and exceptional energetic performance. These materials are expected to demonstrate increased energy density, enhanced safety, and improved operational efficiency, which can directly benefit future Air Force weapon systems and their propulsion capabilities. 

“This YIP award not only represents a meaningful recognition of our collective efforts at the intersection of additive manufacturing and energetic materials over the past few years,” Song said. “But, it also offers opportunities for us to enhance our engagement in advancing the Department of Air Force mission through fundamental research in additive manufacturing.” 

The YIP is a special partnership of the Air Force that is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are scientists or engineers and have received a PhD or equivalent degree in the last seven years. The program aims to advance research, enhance early career development in outstanding young investigators, and increase opportunities for these individuals to forward the mission of the Department of the Air Force (DAF). 

The YIP award provides these scientists and engineers with funding for research that addresses DAF challenges. YIP recipients receive three-year grants of up to $450,000. 

Funding is provided through the AFOSR, whose mission is to discover, shape, champion, and transition high-risk research that will positively impact the future Air and Space Forces. 

Of the 159 research proposals submitted, the AFOSR will award approximately $21.5 million to 48 scientists and engineers from 36 institutions and businesses in 20 states. Read the AFOSR news release at https://www.afrl.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3625080/afosr-awards-215m-to-scientists-engineers-via-young-investigator-program/.