Kristin Galbally-Kinney, Steve Davis, and Terry Rawlins, of Physical Sciences Inc., adjust the excitation source for an argon microplasma laser.
Kristin Galbally-Kinney, Steve Davis, and Terry Rawlins, of Physical Sciences Inc., adjust the excitation source for an argon microplasma laser. (Contributed photo)

U.S. Air Force researchers are asking commercial companies and universities to join a program aimed at using lasers and other light source technology to develop applications in medicine, photobiology, surgery, and closely related materials sciences for military needs.

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in Arlington, Va., has released a broad-agency announcement (BAA-AFOSR-2013-0002) for the Military Medical Photonics Program to advance the state of the art in medical laser applications for military needs.

Medical laser applications related to combat casualty care and other military medicine are a high priority, Air Force researchers say. The program is open to university-based medical groups, scientific organizations, or commercial companies.

Proposals should describe three-year medical laser research programs to be carried out by interdisciplinary teams of physicians, biomedical scientists, physical scientists, and engineers. Those submitting winning bids may be awarded contracts or research grants.