Dynamically and Controllably Reconfigurable Antennas through Physical Deformation Processes | FA9550 19 S 0001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this AFOSR grant opportunity focused on?

This Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) opportunity focuses on physically reconfigurable antennas (and potentially other RF front-end components) that can change shape in a controlled and repeatable way to produce different electromagnetic behaviors on demand. The emphasis is on deformation-driven reconfiguration that is mechanically robust and delivers reliable RF performance in each intended configuration.

What problem is the Air Force and DoD trying to solve with this program?

The Air Force and broader Department of Defense interest is driven by the need for antennas that are deployable, multifunctional, and reconfigurable while still remaining mechanically predictable and robust. A key expectation is that once the antenna is set into a given configuration, it should perform over time like a traditional fixed antenna, rather than drifting with use, handling, or environmental exposure.

What does “physically reconfigurable” mean in this solicitation?

It means the antenna changes its electromagnetic behavior by physically changing its geometry (for example, folding, bending, deforming, or deploying). This is distinct from purely software-based or electronically tuned approaches, although the solicitation frames physical deformation as something that can be used alongside more conventional software-based RF adaptation.

What kinds of reconfiguration approaches are specifically highlighted?

The solicitation highlights folding, deforming, and electromagnetic tuning as key pathways. It explicitly calls out origami and kirigami-inspired approaches as examples of geometric transformation methods that could enable compact stowage and controlled deployment into multiple useful shapes.

Is the goal just to build a folding structure, or a complete antenna system?

The intended end state is a complete antenna concept where reconfigurable geometries translate into measurable improvements in capability compared to today’s devices. The program is not framed as a purely structural exercise; it expects antenna concepts where configuration changes map to known, engineered electromagnetic performance.

What improvements in antenna capability does AFOSR want to enable?

The solicitation describes reconfiguration goals such as changing operating frequency, steering or reshaping radiation patterns, altering polarization states, and potentially adjusting waveforms or coupling behaviors tied to antenna functionality.

What military applications are mentioned?

The opportunity describes a broad and practical application space, including expandable antennas for satellite communications (where launch volume constraints are severe and deployment must be reliable), reconfigurable antennas for air platforms (where mission needs, aerodynamic constraints, and mounting locations can change), and collapsible or packable antennas to reduce carried weight and bulk for ground personnel.

What is the common requirement across those applications?

Across use cases, the common requirement is that RF properties are tunable in a non-ad hoc way. The antenna should be engineered so it can be programmed into known configurations with known electromagnetic performance, rather than being a one-off prototype with uncertain behavior.

Who is AFOSR looking to fund under this opportunity?

AFOSR is looking for multidisciplinary, university-led research efforts that can push beyond the current state of the art in multi-configuration, physically reconfigurable antennas.

Which organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are U.S. public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education.

Are collaborations or multi-university teams allowed?

Yes. Subawards to partner institutions are allowed, supporting multi-university teams that assemble expertise across electromagnetics, materials, mechanics, manufacturing, sensing, and controls.

What technical areas should a proposed research effort integrate?

Proposed efforts are expected to integrate antenna and structure design methods; stimuli-responsive actuation or reconfiguration approaches (how the antenna changes shape, what triggers it, and how it is controlled); mechanical and structural characterization (strength, fatigue, repeatability, tolerances, and deformation mechanics); and rigorous electromagnetic measurement, modeling, and optimization.

Does the solicitation encourage autonomous or self-regulating reconfiguration?

Yes. The opportunity signals interest in more autonomous concepts, such as feedback loops and sensing that allow the system to measure its own state and self-regulate, folding or deploying intelligently in response to external conditions rather than relying only on open-loop commands.

How important are measurement and characterization in this program?

Measurement and characterization are described as essential, not optional. The solicitation stresses that candidate materials and fabrication approaches must be understood in depth and proven suitable for manufacturing deployable hardware. It expects teams to build and test concepts, quantify deviations between predictions and real behavior, and iterate toward designs that remain viable under realistic conditions.

What kind of measurements does AFOSR emphasize during reconfiguration?

The program specifically encourages real-time measurement of antenna parameters and related structures during physical reconfiguration. It values experimental setups that capture how impedance, radiation pattern, gain, polarization purity, efficiency, and other key metrics evolve as the antenna folds, unfolds, bends, or otherwise changes geometry.

How should performance be validated across multiple configurations?

The solicitation underscores the need for high-precision electromagnetic measurements in each programmed configuration and describes credible verification across the entire reconfiguration space as paramount, rather than demonstrating only a single “best” configuration.

What durability or robustness considerations are expected?

The opportunity places strong emphasis on mechanical robustness and predictability, including repeatability and the effects of repeated actuation over time. It also highlights performance stability under realistic conditions, including exposure and environments that could otherwise cause drift.

Are advanced computational design and manufacturing methods within scope?

Yes. The scope explicitly includes advanced design and manufacturing techniques such as surface topology optimization algorithms and additive manufacturing, with an overall expectation that proposals couple modern computational methods with buildable, testable hardware.

What is the funding mechanism and CFDA number?

This is a discretionary Department of Defense grant opportunity administered by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The CFDA number listed is 12.800.

What is the anticipated award size and period of performance?

The anticipated award profile is one university award of approximately $4.8 million for up to five years, with a note that additional funding and awards may be possible.

What is the opportunity identifier?

The opportunity is identified as FA9550-19-S-0001.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was originally posted on November 15, 2018, with an original closing date of January 18, 2019.