Soft Armor Research

The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) opportunity focuses on the development of novel nano-mechanical test methods for and characterization of single fibers and sub-fiber morphologies. The successful candidate will use atomic force microscopy and instrumented indentation, typically adding in situ material strains during testing. Of specific interest is the origin of failure and strength (failure analysis and modes of failure) for current high-performance fiber chemistries and processing. This research opportunity is located at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Army's central laboratory. The position is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas relevant to the Army. Candidates interested in broadening their professional experience by learning and developing new nano-mechanical characterization techniques to probe material structure-property relationships at the nano-scale are encouraged to apply.