Metals Additive Manufacturing

About the Research

3D Printing, known as Additive Manufacturing (AM), is transforming the manufacturing industry. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the nation’s premier laboratory for land forces, is at the forefront of advancing innovative AM technologies and their applications. ARL is pioneering AM science and technology (S&T) to address Army challenges and mission readiness. Effective numerical and experimental methods for quantifying properties of the AM parts during the printing process are crucial for enabling AM applications. Understanding the relationships between processing, microstructure, and properties of these materials is essential for driving the development of future metallic feedstock alloys. Alloys designed specifically for AM will offer enhanced performance over current standards, allowing the Soldier to adapt to evolving threats by manufacturing qualified components at the point of need while reducing logistical footprints.

This research opportunity aligns with the ARL S&T Campaign in the areas of Science of Manufacturing at the Point of Need, Lethality and Protection, and Sciences for Maneuver, aiming to improve the performance, reliability, and versatility of future Army systems.

About WMRD

The Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) aims to enhance the lethality and survivability of weapons systems and meet the soldier’s technology needs for advanced weaponry and protection. Research is conducted in energetic materials dynamics, propulsion/flight physics, projectile warhead mechanics, terminal effects phenomena, armor/survivability technologies, environmental chemistry, and advanced materials (energetic, metals, ceramics, polymers, composite/hybrids, and mechanics) for various applications including armor, armament, missiles, ground vehicles, helicopters, and individual soldier applications necessary for maintaining and ensuring supremacy in future land warfare.

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 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 Forms
• An 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)
• Transcripts
• Transcript verifying receipt of degree must be submitted with the application. Student/unofficial copy is acceptable

Research Proposal

If selected by an advisor, the participant will be required to write a research proposal to submit to the ARL-RAP review panel for:

• The 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

Contact Information

If you have questions about this opportunity, please email ARLFellowship@orau.org.

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