PROGRAM INTEREST The Materials Division of the Office of Naval Research announces a program interest in the area of Piezoelectric Crystals for Electromechanical Transduction. This integrated science and technology thrust on transduction materials targets exploitation of a recently announced research breakthrough with single crystals of relaxor ferroelectrics. Specifically, these crystals exhibit piezoelectric strains exceeding one percent -- more than ten times that of conventional polycrystalline piezoelectrics. Their high strain levels and their high electromechanical coupling (exceeding ninety percent) point to a revolution in acoustic transduction made possible by these relaxor piezocrystals. A broad range of applications for these transducer materials are readily envisioned. In the specifically naval arena, uses range from all forms of sonar -- -- - surveillance, tactical, navigation, undersea weapons and diver-held -- - to acoustic signature control (active mounts and acoustic coatings), while otherdefense/civilian uses encompass aircraft control (rotorblade and airfoil shape), auditory noise suppression, medical ultrasonics (diagnostic and therapeutic), machine tool control, and the like. While this program concentrates on transducer materials and device issues, the program will be defined in conjunction with system application specialists, in order to insure rapid system application of materials/device science/technology innovations. To provide an opportunity for the science and technology community to advise on how to exploit this research breakthrough, a Planning Workshop on Piezoelectric Crystals will be held 14-16 May 1997 in the Washington DC area. Details on participating in this open public workshop can be obtained from the Workshop Coordinator: Ms Vickie Michelson, Management Resources Incorporated, 1815 North Fort Myer Drive, Suite 509, Arlington, Virginia 22209, phone: (703) 243 1655, fax: (703) 312 8620, and email: mrinc@erols.com. This workshop, along with system application studies now getting underway, will contribute to formulating the precise size and scope of this program thrust. At present, we anticipate that the program will focus on innovative materials and device research that aims: (1) at devising cost-effective methods to synthesize the crystals in the forms (bulk, film, fiber, platelet, multilayer, etc.) required in applications, (2) at understanding the basic origins of the macroscopic properties in order to optimize the materials performance, and (3) at inserting these materials into practical system applications. Potential performers should summarize their proposed contributions in a three to five page concept paper that describes the transduction materials science research and technology development proposed, as well as its expected impact in the applications arena. Along with a rough order of magnitude of the proposed program's costs, these concept papers should be submitted to: Dr. Wallace Arden Smith, Office of Naval Research, Materials Division, ONR 332, 800 North Quincy Street, Room 502, Arlington, VA 22217-5660, phone: (703) 696-0284. Fax: (703) 696-0934, email: smithw@onr.navy.mil. Responses to these initial inquiries will be made on a continuous basis, and projects will similarly begin continuously as meritorious research and development efforts are delineated.

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