Research Highlights is published every two months by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. This newsletter provides brief descriptions of AFOSR basic research activities including topics such as research accomplishments, examples of technology transitions and technology transfer, notable peer recognition awards and honors and other research program achievements. The purpose is to provide Air Force, DOD, government, industry and university communities with brief accounts to illustrate AFOSR support of the Air Force mission. This issue contains articles on the development of self-healing plastic, new rocket propellants, and the selection of Dr. Lyle H. Schwartz as the new Director of the AFOSR.

This volume is the third annual issue of Research Highlights based on our monthly editions of significant achievements and accomplishments. Although this edition contains a small selection of AFOSR's many research successes in 1994, they are representative of our mission: to sponsor and sustain basic research; to transfer and transition research results, and; to support Air Force goals of control and maximum utilization of air and space. The highlights provide brief descriptions of AFOSR's research investment accomplishments, examples of technology transfer, and technology insertion. Their purpose is to provide Air Force, DOD, government, and private sector officials interested in science and technology management with brief accounts illustrating how AFOSR supports the Air Force and DOD missions and the national posture in technology. AFOSR's integrated management approach fosters bilateral and multilateral partnerships between Air Force, university and industry researchers and Air Force, defense and commercial industrial customers. Last year, our nearly 2,000 active research tasks spawned more than 260 significant technology or product applications, more than one-half of these encompassed direct transfers to U.S. industry, with military as well as commercial benefits. The diverse and wide-ranging scientific efforts in this volume share the common denominator of quality research. Some of the research highlighted here will find its way into currently deployed Air Force systems; some will not reach maturity until we enter the 21st century.

In 2015, the Air Force Studies Board conducted a workshop, consisting of two data-gathering sessions, to review current research practices employed by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Improving the Air Force Scientific Discovery Mission summarizes the presentations and discussions of these two sessions. This report explores the unique drivers associated with management of a 6.1 basic research portfolio in the Department of Defense and investigates current and future practices that may further the effective and efficient management of basic research on behalf of the Air Force

Nanotechnology focus area at AFOSR: high performance materials, information processing, energetic materials, compact power generation and storage, bio-inspired concepts, predictive tools, materials processing and fabrication, nanoprobe tools, surface modification, and international programs. The Nanoscience and Technology Program is collaboratively planned by AFOSR Program Managers and AFRL In-House Researchers. The basic research effort is closely coordinated with applied research and demo efforts. NST basic research leverages extensive international investments.