Assessment of Task Demand and Usability of a Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Protocol for Combat Related Traumatic Brain Injury From the Perspective of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Providers: A Pilot Study

The risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is significantly higher among Veterans compared to non- Veterans. Access to treatment for TBI and post concussive symptoms is sometimes difficult, because of barriers related to distance, finances, and public safety (i.e., COVID-19 infection). Virtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) offers an opportunity to incorporate a virtual space into a rehabilitation environment. To our knowledge, VRR has not been used to assist Veterans with TBI and related health problems with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (iADLs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the usability of a novel VRR ADL and iADL training protocols, developed by the Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory (GRILL®) at the Air Force Research Laboratory, for cognitive rehabilitation for Veterans with a TBI. We deployed a prototype protocol among healthcare providers (n = 20) to obtain feedback on usability, task demand, and recommended adjustments. Our preliminary analysis shows that providers found the VRR protocol involved low physical demand and would likely recommend it to their patients. Although they had some concerns with vertigo-like symptoms from using a digital technology, they believed the protocol would improve iADL functioning and was a good addition to pre-existing rehabilitation protocols. These outcomes provide justification for more impactful studies investigating the effectiveness of this protocol among Veterans with TBI.

Avaliação do Nível de Maturidade de Tecnologia (TRL) nas Instituições de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICTs) com o modelo adaptado da AFRL – Air Force Research Laboratory

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo desenvolver uma ferramenta a qual define através de questionários em que nível de maturidade tecnológica se encontra o produto em desenvolvimento, chamada “Calculadora TRL”. Para tanto, inicialmente foi realizado um levantamento sobre os modelos de avaliação dos níveis de maturidade tecnológica atualmente disponíveis nas Instituições de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICTs), posteriormente, discutiu-se a importância de ferramentas capazes de analisar se um produto em desenvolvimento está pronto para ser lançado no mercado, sem que haja prejuízos a nenhuma das partes envolvidas. Nesta direção, essa pesquisa qualitativa, buscou desenvolver uma planilha eletrônica para calcular o nível de prontidão desses produtos. A planilha foi testada e seu potencial avaliado pelos Núcleos de Inovação Tecnológica (NITs) de 5 instituições, no sentido de adaptá-la às suas respectivas demandas por avaliação dos níveis de maturidade. Após exaustiva avalição por estas instituições, chegaram ao veredicto da viabilidade e aplicabilidade da ferramenta junto aos respectivos NITs. Diante dos resultados, e com base nos nove níveis de avaliação da maturidade tecnológica, Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), utilizados para avaliar a prontidão tecnológica dos produtos pesquisados, verificou-se a possibilidade da melhoria dos processos de avaliação do nível de maturidade dos produtos e tecnologias em desenvolvimento nas Instituições de Ensino Superior e Instituições de Ciência e Tecnologia, consequentemente, auxiliando-as na tarefa de modernização de suas respectivas práticas relacionadas à inovação.

Mission to Mars Amidst a Pandemic

For years, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in New Mexico has led an outreach effort called Mission to Mars to engage fifth grade students in applying science and mathematics concepts related to building a colony on Mars. Many organizations across the US canceled similar events due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This design case details the original program and the pivot made to continue the program. We share successes—including reaching more rural learners—insights, and challenges, and how these have shaped a more inclusive vision for future programs.

AFSIM’s pseudo-realtime hybrid simulation software design

Simulation approaches generally fall into two categories: discrete time or discrete event. For military modeling and simulation needs, the two approaches typically align with virtual simulation, which implies human interaction with the simulation program, and constructive simulation, which implies no human interaction. The Air Force Research Laboratory develops and distributes AFSIM (Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling) to a user community that uses both virtual and constructive simulation. This paper documents the software design and primary algorithms that provide AFSIM’s support for both modes, which is termed a hybrid simulation.

Design and Test of an Articulation Mechanism for a Morphing Missile Nosecone

This paper covers the design and development of a mechanism to change the angle of an air-to-air missile nosecone relative to the missile body while in flight. A group of senior cadets at the United States Air Force Academy performed the work in fulfillment of requirements for their capstone design project. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) sponsored the project and provided a set of requirements to guide the design. These requirements include the challenge of torque transfer under significant loading in order to drive the nosecone to a new angle. The report will cover significant design changes from last year’s design and the justification for these changes. A complete sub-system breakdown follows. Finally, the planned testing and evaluation of the design is discussed.