This theoretical and computational research program addresses a foundational limitation in nitride semiconductor synthesis: the reliance on energy-intensive nitrogen sources to enable epitaxial growth. Recent demonstrations of plasma-free scandium nitride (ScN) epitaxy from molecular nitrogen indicate that this limitation is not fundamental, but the microscopic mechanisms involved remain unresolved. By developing descriptions of the early stages of plasma-free ScN epitaxial growth in chemically passive environments and under reduced thermal budgets we aim to expand the scope of nitride semiconductors for heterogeneous integration, extreme-environment operation, and manufacturing flexibility.

This project uses artificial intelligence, physics-based modeling, and advanced manufacturing concepts to design next-generation materials capable of surviving extreme environments, such as those encountered in hypersonic flight, space exploration, and defense systems. The research focuses on developing functionally graded high-entropy ultra-high-temperature ceramics (HE-UHTCs), a new class of materials engineered to better manage extreme heat and mechanical stress. By integrating computational modeling with experimental validation, the project aims to accelerate the discovery of safer, stronger, and more reliable materials while also training the next generation of diverse STEM researchers and engineers.

The project will harness geometrical motifs found in natural systems, namely chiral and helical structures, and apply these to design crystalline inorganic materials that are “device-ready” and resemble materials found in microelectronics and nanoelectronics. The intrinsic handedness of these chiral semiconductors endowed with chiral and helical motifs become highly sensitive to light that are circularly polarized—either left- or right-handed—without the need for external filters and bulky optics. These materials, which can be sized down to approach the atomic scale, are anticipated to become pixel building blocks in ultra-miniaturized devices for high-fidelity data transmission, chemical screening, quantum optics, and high-resolution augmented reality and virtual reality platforms.

Improved power sources are essential for modernizing the military and equipping warfighters for the future. As drones and unmanned aerial systems become central to surveillance and combat, there is a pressing need for batteries that are lighter weight (high energy density) and take up less space (high volumetric density) to enable longer flight ranges and heavier payloads. The key innovation of this work is a scalable process for manufacturing lithium conducting ceramics using an open-air plasma method. The key disruptor enabled is the ability to rapidly produce dense and mechanically robust ceramic solid-state electrolytes for the next generation of high energy density lithium metal batteries that are lightweight, high energy and power, and long lasting.

This project develops Thermal-Elastic Processing (TEP), a low-distortion method for strengthening the internal interfaces of structural metals used in defense systems. Instead of reshaping parts through heavy plastic deformation, TEP applies carefully controlled sub-yield stress, temperature, and time cycles so grain boundaries can reorganize locally while the overall component keeps its shape. Using aluminum and copper as model metals, the project combines atomistic simulations with in situ electron microscopy to create a processing map that identifies when beneficial interface changes occur without bulk deformation. The work will support more reliable, fatigue-/creep-resistant metallic components and train graduate students in defense-relevant materials research.

Future defense and space platforms require lightweight, multifunctional electronics capable of operating reliably in extreme thermal and environmental conditions. Yet today’s systems still rely on rigid, surface-mounted electronics that add mass, limit thermal performance, and reduce survivability. TRACE addresses this challenge by developing new approaches for integrating electronics into structural surfaces to improve efficiency, resilience, and thermal performance. Through advanced modeling, experiments, and prototype demonstrations, TRACE aims to enable resilient, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) electronic systems for next-generation mission-critical platforms.

We propose to research and develop novel transpiration cooling architectures for thermal management of hypersonic vehicles by leveraging next-generation additively manufactured oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloys and in-house additive manufacturing capability at UT San Antonio. The developed materials will handle more extreme temperatures than the current state-of-the-art, enhancing range, payload capacity, and mission duration for emerging hypersonic craft that can better protect service members and the warfighter across greater distances. The proposed research and plan of work will, in turn, enhance research capabilities at UT San Antonio while providing meaningful experiences for domestic graduate students, with opportunities to engage with DoD-relevant technical career paths.

We are developing a new method to isolate polymer chains based on their length, which we anticipate will allow us to engineer new lightweight materials with advanced properties.

This project develops new ways to improve collaboration between humans and intelligent machines in complex operational environments. Using immersive virtual reality and real-time physiological signals such as muscle activity, eye tracking, and brain activity, we study how humans and AI systems learn to work together. The goal is to understand how human cognitive and emotional states influence team performance and to design systems that can adapt in real time. By decoding human intent and detecting early signs of misalignment, this work aims to create more intuitive, efficient, and resilient human-machine teams that enhance performance in high-stakes settings.

GPS and other navigation tools help people move efficiently through unfamiliar environments, but what happens when those tools become unreliable or unavailable? This project uses immersive virtual reality to study how different types of GPS support shape spatial learning, attention, and performance under pressure. Participants will navigate realistic city-scale environments with continuous, intermittent, or no GPS assistance while completing mission-relevant tasks. The goal is to understand when navigation aids support learning versus when they create overreliance. Findings will help inform the design of navigation systems and training approaches that preserve human adaptability when technology fails.

The research focuses on fusing multi-domain sensor data, including cameras, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), to provide comprehensive above and below-ground awareness. Artificial intelligence transforms this raw data into high-level field context, maps, and automated alerts. Delivered through augmented reality (AR) interfaces, this framework enables operators to manage these automated assets hands-free, seamlessly integrating robotics into traditional field operations to secure a tactical advantage.

This project develops resilient human–machine interfaces that enable autonomous systems to understand and respond to natural human communication in challenging real-world environments. The research explores how robots and autonomous platforms can interpret multimodal human instructions—including speech, gesture, and environmental context—to support safe and effective collaboration without relying on rigid command vocabularies or cloud connectivity. Using learning-based artificial intelligence methods, the project will evaluate human-guided autonomous navigation and decision-making in scenarios such as disaster response and infrastructure inspection. The long-term goal is to advance trustworthy, resilient autonomous systems capable of adaptive human teaming in complex operational settings.

The project will harness geometrical motifs found in natural systems, namely chiral and helical structures, and apply these to design crystalline inorganic materials that are “device-ready” and resemble materials found in microelectronics and nanoelectronics. The intrinsic handedness of these chiral semiconductors endowed with chiral and helical motifs become highly sensitive to light that are circularly polarized—either left- or right-handed—without the need for external filters and bulky optics. These materials, which can be sized down to approach the atomic scale, are anticipated to become pixel building blocks in ultra-miniaturized devices for high-fidelity data transmission, chemical screening, quantum optics, and high-resolution augmented reality and virtual reality platforms.

Precise and fast communication with essential technology is often mission-critical. In some situations, traditional human-machine interfaces such as speech and touch controls are not accurate enough, are physically inaccessible, or lack the bandwidth that is needed for complex tasks. These scenarios require novel human-computer interfaces. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) offer a potential breakthrough: what if we could bypass the time-consuming need to form thoughts into a sequence of words and the physically-brittle process of then actually producing the hand or mouth movements to output those words? Our project seeks to instead directly read out (“decode”) the meaning of a person’s communicative intent from their brain activity.

Advanced propulsion technologies are essential for maintaining national leadership in aerospace and defense. This project develops new tools to study next-generation propellants under extreme combustion conditions, helping researchers better understand how these fuels ignite, burn, and perform in realistic environments. Using advanced laser-based diagnostics and high-speed sensing techniques, the research will generate critical data needed to improve predictive models and accelerate the transition of promising propulsion technologies from laboratory experiments to operational flight systems. The work supports faster development of safer, more efficient, and higher-performance propulsion systems for future air and space vehicles.

Returning rockets and spacecraft from orbit requires heat shields that survive extreme temperatures — and can do it again and again. Today's heat shields are either destroyed on use or too fragile for quick turnaround. This project develops a new material solution: a metal-polymer composite that absorbs and dissipates intense heat through a controlled, repeatable process called regenerative ablation. By 3D-printing porous metal structures and filling them with polymer, the material can be 'recharged' after each flight. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara are building the science needed to design, test, and model these composites — paving the way for truly reusable spacecraft.

Improved power sources are essential for modernizing the military and equipping warfighters for the future. As drones and unmanned aerial systems become central to surveillance and combat, there is a pressing need for batteries that are lighter weight (high energy density) and take up less space (high volumetric density) to enable longer flight ranges and heavier payloads. The key innovation of this work is a scalable process for manufacturing lithium conducting ceramics using an open-air plasma method. The key disruptor enabled is the ability to rapidly produce dense and mechanically robust ceramic solid-state electrolytes for the next generation of high energy density lithium metal batteries that are lightweight, high energy and power, and long lasting.

Future defense and space platforms require lightweight, multifunctional electronics capable of operating reliably in extreme thermal and environmental conditions. Yet today’s systems still rely on rigid, surface-mounted electronics that add mass, limit thermal performance, and reduce survivability. TRACE addresses this challenge by developing new approaches for integrating electronics into structural surfaces to improve efficiency, resilience, and thermal performance. Through advanced modeling, experiments, and prototype demonstrations, TRACE aims to enable resilient, low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) electronic systems for next-generation mission-critical platforms.

We propose to research and develop novel transpiration cooling architectures for thermal management of hypersonic vehicles by leveraging next-generation additively manufactured oxide-dispersion-strengthened alloys and in-house additive manufacturing capability at UT San Antonio. The developed materials will handle more extreme temperatures than the current state-of-the-art, enhancing range, payload capacity, and mission duration for emerging hypersonic craft that can better protect service members and the warfighter across greater distances. The proposed research and plan of work will, in turn, enhance research capabilities at UT San Antonio while providing meaningful experiences for domestic graduate students, with opportunities to engage with DoD-relevant technical career paths.