Local Control of Materials Synthesis (LoCo) | Apply Online

Local Control of Materials Synthesis (LoCo) - FAQs

What is the LoCo opportunity?

Local Control of Materials Synthesis (LoCo) is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office research program focused on overcoming a major bottleneck in thin film manufacturing for defense needs: many high-performance thin films and coatings typically require deposition temperatures that are too high for real-world Department of Defense substrates.

What problem is DARPA trying to solve with LoCo?

LoCo targets the mismatch between (1) the minimum processing temperature required by state-of-the-art thin film deposition methods and (2) the maximum temperature that key DoD substrates can tolerate. Many DoD-relevant substrates can deform, outgas, or degrade under conventional high-temperature processing.

What is the main technical goal of the program?

The goal is to enable high-quality thin films to be deposited at much lower temperatures than traditional approaches, so that these films can be applied to temperature-sensitive substrates (such as polymers and other vulnerable components) without damaging the substrate.

What kinds of thin films are in scope?

The program is interested in high-performance coatings and films, including extremely demanding materials such as chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond. The solicitation uses optically clear diamond as an example of the type of performance-sensitive film DARPA has in mind.

Why is CVD diamond mentioned specifically?

CVD diamond is used as an example of a film that is difficult and demanding to deposit well. When achieved, it can offer exceptional hardness, thermal properties, and optical characteristics. LoCo is interested in enabling films of this caliber at lower processing temperatures.

What types of substrates is LoCo focused on?

LoCo is focused on substrates that cannot tolerate typical deposition temperatures, including polymers and other components that would deform, outgas, or degrade. The announcement also uses zinc sulfide as an illustrative DoD-relevant substrate example (often associated with infrared optical windows and sensor applications).

What is DARPA trying to change about conventional deposition methods?

LoCo seeks alternatives to the standard "broadband heating" strategy common in conventional chemical vapor deposition, where the entire substrate and surrounding environment are heated to drive reactions and support film growth. Instead, DARPA wants approaches that deliver the necessary conditions for film formation in a more targeted or localized way.

What does "local control" mean in this program?

In LoCo, "local control" refers to controlling critical deposition variables directly at or near the growth interface so the film grows correctly while keeping the bulk substrate relatively cool, rather than relying on heating the entire system.

What fundamental needs of thin film deposition does the solicitation highlight?

The solicitation highlights needs such as providing sufficient reactant flux to the surface, enabling surface mobility so atoms can move into correct lattice positions, and supplying reaction energy to drive film-forming chemistry. LoCo encourages meeting these needs through localized or alternative energy delivery mechanisms.

What kinds of approaches is DARPA looking for?

DARPA is seeking novel chemical, physical, or hybrid processes that replace or reduce reliance on overall high-temperature processing. The program encourages unconventional mechanisms for delivering energy or activating chemistry near the surface so film formation can occur without heating the entire substrate.

Are proposers required to build a complete end-to-end deposition tool?

The program emphasizes a modular, complementary development approach. Performers are invited to independently develop novel processes that address specific parts of the deposition challenge, with the intent that multiple successful methods could later be integrated by DARPA into a combined toolchain.

What does DARPA mean by a "modular, complementary development approach"?

It means different teams can develop different enabling methods (chemical, physical, or hybrid) that solve pieces of the overall low-temperature deposition problem. DARPA may later integrate multiple successful methods into a toolchain capable of depositing a DoD-relevant film onto a DoD-relevant substrate.

What is an example target combination mentioned in the announcement?

The solicitation provides an illustrative example of depositing optically clear diamond onto zinc sulfide, which signals the kind of demanding film/substrate combinations and performance-driven outcomes the program is interested in.

What kinds of benefits does DARPA associate with the targeted coatings and films?

The examples indicate interest in coatings that can enhance durability, optical transmission, environmental resistance, or thermal management, while avoiding damage to the underlying part during processing.

Who is encouraged to participate?

The solicitation strongly encourages participation from nontraditional performers, including teams that may not be part of the typical thin film deposition or materials processing community.

What nontraditional fields are explicitly called out as potentially relevant?

The announcement explicitly calls out areas such as surface acoustic wave spectroscopy, plasma physics, and photochemistry as fields that might contribute new ways to deliver energy, activate chemistry, or monitor and control growth beyond conventional CVD methods.

Does LoCo encourage unconventional energy delivery or activation mechanisms?

Yes. The solicitation reflects interest in unconventional pathways for selectively activating reactions at the surface while keeping the overall thermal budget low, including mechanisms involving plasmas, photons, localized electric fields, acoustic energy, or other targeted stimuli.

Is technology transition to real DoD systems part of the program intent?

Yes. DARPA requests input on specific DoD systems and parts that would benefit if LoCo succeeds, indicating the program is designed with technology transition in mind and aims to align research outcomes with real components and mission needs.

What is the official solicitation identifier?

The opportunity was posted as DARPA BAA 12-43.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity lists CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

What is the opportunity category?

The opportunity category is listed as discretionary.

What funding instrument types are supported?

The announcement indicates multiple instrument types may be used, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and potentially other mechanisms.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement text.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was originally posted on May 3, 2012, created on May 30, 2012, and had a closing date of July 26, 2012. The archive date is listed as September 26, 2012.

Who is the point of contact listed for access issues?

The listed point of contact for access issues is Dr. Brian Holloway, identified as the BAA Coordinator.