Electromagnetic biological effects
About the Research
Electromagnetic (EM) fields and directed energy sources pose a threat to Warfighter health and readiness. While the biological effects of electromagnetism have been well studied, several areas remain incompletely understood, especially the following: (1) Distinguishing between purely electrically induced phenomena (membrane charging) and bulk heating (2) Characterizing multiphysics interactions of these phenomena, such as the temperature dependence of electrical properties, on the overall phenomena (3) Protecting personnel
The purpose of this research effort is to support ongoing DOD EM bioeffects research with an academic partner to address these gaps in knowledge and to also develop ideas for new areas of investigation in the directed energy/bioeffects space. Planned goals of this effort will be:
1) Use commercial software to provide a detailed study of the implications of EM fields of various waveforms on neuronal signaling and temperature effects (extending work underway within DOD). The candidate will also consider other model systems beyond the scope of current DOD focus (male, female, and various animal models of interest to the Army Research Laboratory).
2) Incorporate composite materials for shielding to explore the effects at the physiological level.
3) Conduct studies to explore other potential interactions. For instance, Sim4Life provides insight into electric fields and heating at the neuron level. This information may be potentially coupled to models at the chemical level to provide insight into other phenomenological changes.
About HRED
The Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) is ARL’s principal center for research and development directed toward optimizing Soldier performance and human-autonomy teaming. Research within HRED focuses on how to improve Soldier performance in a dynamic and changing battlefield. As technology and autonomous systems become an increasingly integral part of Soldier teams, it is critical to determine how these systems can work with and be adapted to the Soldier and their capabilities. Autonomous systems must be able to be integrated into Soldier teams and move from tools to teammates. Critical to this is an understanding of how humans and human teams perform and change in dynamic environments and situations. HRED leverages human-robot interaction, human-informed machine learning, human cognition and adaptive teaming to improve human-autonomy teaming for future Army teams.
About ARL-RAP
The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army. Scientists and Engineers at the CCDCArmy Research Laboratory (ARL) help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs by pursuing scientific research and technological developments in diverse fields such as: applied mathematics, atmospheric characterization, simulation and human modeling, digital/optical signal processing, nanotechnology, material science and technology, multifunctional technology, combustion processes, propulsion and flight physics, communication and networking, and computational and information sciences.
A complete application includes:
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Three References FormsAn email with a link to the reference form will be available in Zintellect to the applicant upon completion of the on-line application. Please send this email to persons you have selected to complete a reference.
- References should be from persons familiar with your educational and professional qualifications (include your thesis or dissertation advisor, if applicable)
- TranscriptsTranscript verifying receipt of degree must be submitted with the application. Student/unofficial copy is acceptable
If selected by an advisor the participant will also be required to write a research proposal to submit to the ARL-RAP review panel for :
- Research topic should relate to a specific opportunity at ARL (see Research Areas)
- The objective of the research topic should be clear and have a defined outcome
- Explain the direction you plan to pursue
- Include expected period for completing the study
- Include a brief background such as preparation and motivation for the research
- References of published efforts may be used to improve the proposal
A link to upload the proposal will be provided to the applicant once the advisor has made their selection.
Questions about this opportunity? Please email ARLFellowship@orau.org