Warren Perger is collaborating with researchers at Washington State Univeristy and MIT to understand how deformations in crystals ultimately lead to the initiation of a shock and, consequently, a detonation. Researchers at Washington State are performing IR, Raman, and optical absorption studies of energetic crystals, MIT is performing femto-second resolution experiments of the shock to detonation transition, and Professor Perger is computing theoretical predictions for these phenomena.

Prof. Brian Davis received a 2001 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation for his work on Memory Controller Interconnect and Policy Determination. NSF's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) program encourages the integration of education and research. This program emphasizes the importance the Foundation places on the early development of academic careers dedicated to stimulating the discovery process in which the excitement of research is enhanced by inspired teaching and enthusiastic learning.

Professor Michael Roggeman has been elected to the grade of Fellow by SPIE. SPIE Fellows are distinguished individuals who have made significant scientific and technical contributions in optics and optoelectronic. Professor Roggemann is also a Fellow of the Optical Society of America.

Dramatic improvements in laser power and wave front control technology for space surveillance and laser anti-satellite and anti-ballistic missile weapons has given rise to DoD interest in extensions and alternative uses of this technology. Of particular interest are directed energy weapons, such as lasers, which can also operate in a "look-down, shoot-down" mode to inflict damage on enemy targets. The agility and speed with which laser weapons can be retargeted and delivered, combined with potential pinpoint accuracy and low collateral damage arising directly from the weapon makes laser weapons highly desirable. However, considerable fundamental scientific work must be conducted to bring these weapons to the battlefield. The major technological barrier which must be resolved to bring these weapons to
maturity is the ability to deliver energy to the target through the atmosphere in all scenarios of interest, including high altitude Airborne Laser (ABL), low altitude tactical battlefield scenarios, and marine scenarios. It is extremely important to realize that conquering the high energy laser beam control problem requires a multidisciplinary approach and a deep understanding of the physical effects present.

Michigan Technological University, in collaboration with the UCLA and Georgia Tech have just won a major Multi-University Research Initiative (MURI) grant to conduct this research. This three year program with two option years is aimed at finding solutions to the technological problems associated with controlling laser beams in these challenging situations.

PhD student Melissa Trombley has received a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship to perform research in the field of Micro-Electromechanical Systems, primarily focused in the area of inertial sensors, where she is developing (currently secret) microsystem fabrication technologies to further the integration of mechanical and electrical components. Melissa's PhD advisor is Prof. Paul Bergstrom.