U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

U.S. Air Force Research Lab Summer Faculty Fellowship Program

AFRL/RH 711TH HPW (Fort Sam, Texas )

SF.15.22.B10103: Monitoring Tissue Optical Property Dynamics

Bixler, Joel - 210-539-8172

Accurately simulating laser damage caused by high energy laser exposure requires the complete knowledge of how tissue optical properties (absorption and reduced scattering coefficients) change as a function of tissue heating and damage. Measuring such properties is a difficult endeavor as no methods currently exist for directly measuring these properties. Indirect methods, such as using integrating spheres in conjunction with inverse adding doubling based solvers can provide estimates on such properties and can be used to study dynamics in excised tissues. This project is focused on measuring tissue dynamics using integrating sphere-based sensing, combined with validating novel methods under development to measure optical properties. Additional research will focus validating modeling tools used to predict tissue damage and expanding these tools to incorporate the physics of laser ablation.

SF.15.12.B0906: Modeling the Effects of Laser Eye Protection (LEP) on Vision, Cognition and Human Performance

Goettl, Barry - 210-539-7885

Development of new technologies to protect against flash blindness and retinal damage from lasers and other optical hazards requires an understanding of how material solutions for protecting the eyes interact with vision and human performance. These filters must block enough light to protect the eyes yet pass enough for aircrew members to perform their mission. This is particularly challenging at night when there is less ambient light, flash blindness is easier to induce, and operations may require disciplined display illumination levels to protect operations. Over the years, the US Air Force has developed a number of Laser Eye Protection (LEP) devices and conducted many laboratory, ground, and flight tests to certify LEP safe for use in cockpits. Although many LEP have been fielded, aircrew often report problems with color and visibility resulting in low acceptance and use of LEP, even when the risk of laser exposure is high. Experimentation is needed to develop models of how visual glare and protective filters effect vision, cognition, attention and human performance. Desired candidates have demonstrated laboratory experience in vision science, cognition, attention, human factors and/or human performance modeling. Selected applicants should expect to work with USAF staff, collaborating university faculty, and summer students at the graduate and undergraduate level. Summer projects will develop and integrate models of vision, cognition, attention or human performance for predicting the effects of filters on visual dazzle and human performance.

SF.15.10.B3740: Laser-Tissue Interaction

Denton, Michael - 210-539-8069

The goal of this research is to determine the effect of laser exposure on human tissues and to study the resulting mission impact. The analysis includes quantification of tissue parameters, response of tissues to optical irradiation, and modeling of the interaction. We study photoacoustic, photothermal, cellular insult, photochemical, and photomechanical processes and their effect on tissues. Understanding laser tissue interaction is the first step toward optimizing military application of laser radiation. Our work emphasizes the occupational and environmental health aspects of laser tissue interaction, with experiments coupled with modeling efforts, which result in suggestions to the laser safety community where safety standards either do not exist, or where deficiencies in biological data has made the criteria for setting standards ambiguous. In addition, we seek to understand and monitor changes in tissue optical properties and function as a result of laser exposure. The laboratory offers extensive laser facilities and support equipment (including retinal and skin imaging) to investigate effects across the pulse-duration and wavelength spectrum.

AFRL-711th Human Performance Wing

Dr. Zelik, Daniel
Assistant Chief Scientist
711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW/CL)
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
Telephone:
Email: daniel.zelik@us.af.mil

Dr. Sharma, Gaurav
Chief Scientist
711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW/CL)
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
Telephone:
Email: gaurav.sharma@us.af.mil

Ms. Migliozzi, Rebecca
Assistant to the Chief Scientist
711th Human Performance Wing
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
Telephone: 937-255-8222
Email: rebecca.migliozzi.ctr@us.af.mil