Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Wm. A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. Wm. A. Wulf are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

www.national-academies.org

The Workshop on Materials and Manufacturing was held on June 13-15, 2001, in Washington, D.C. This workshop was the first in a series of six workshops that will make up the study Challenges for the Chemical Sciences in the 21st Century. The task for each of the workshops is defined as follows:

• Discovery: Identify major discoveries or advances in the chemical sciences during the last several decades.

• Interfaces: Identify the major discoveries and challenges at the interfaces between chemistry/chemical engineering and such areas as biology, environmental science, materials science, medicine, and physics.

• Challenges: Identify the grand challenges that exist in the chemical sciences.

• Infrastructure: Identify the issues and opportunities that exist in the chemical sciences to improve the infrastructure for research and education, and demonstrate the value of these activities to society.

The Workshop on Materials and Manufacturing brought together a diverse group of participants (Appendix D) from the chemical sciences who were briefed on a variety of issues related to the impact of and challenges for the chemical sciences as they relate to materials science and technology. These presentations served as a starting point for discussions and comments by the participants. The workshop participants were then divided into small groups who went into breakout sessions to develop these discussions further. Each group provided this feedback to the workshop as a whole.

This report is intended to reflect the concepts discussed and opinions ex

pressed at the Workshop on Materials and Manufacturing. The report is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of all of the potential challenges that exist for the chemical sciences in the areas of materials science and technology. The organizing committee has used this input from workshop participants as a basis for the findings expressed in this report. However, sole responsibility for these findings rests with the organizing committee.

This study was conducted under the auspices of the National Research Council’s Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, with assistance provided by its staff. The committee acknowledges this support.

Klavs Jensen and Charlie Kresge, Co-chairs, Organizing Committee for the Workshop on Materials and Manufacturing

Challenges for the Chemical Sciences in the 21^st Century

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making the published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their participation in the review of this report:

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Dr. David C. Bonner, Cabot Corporation. Appointed by the National Research Council, he was responsible for making cer

tain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.