Impacts of National Science Foundation Engineering Research Support on Society (2024)
Chapter: Front Matter
Consensus Study Report
NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
This activity was supported by contracts between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation (EFMA-2101725). Additional support was provided by the National Academy of Engineering’s President’s Initiative Fund. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project.
International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-72295-7
International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-72295-0
Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/27873
Library of Congress Control Number: 2024945519
Cover images:
Left – Vertical-axis wind turbines. Caltech Field Laboratory for Optimized Wind Energy.
California Institute of Technology. Used with permission.
Top right – The Utah Bionic Leg. University of Utah College of Engineering. Used with permission.
Bottom right – 3D printing process. Alexey Bubryak/Getty Images
This publication is available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242; http://www.nap.edu.
Copyright 2024 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and National Academies Press and the graphical logos for each are all trademarks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Suggested citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Impacts of National Science Foundation Engineering Research Support on Society. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27873.
The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president.
The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president.
The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine.
Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org.
Consensus Study Reports published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine document the evidence-based consensus on the study’s statement of task by an authoring committee of experts. Reports typically include findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on information gathered by the committee and on the committee’s deliberations. Each report has been subjected to a rigorous and independent peer-review process, and it represents the position of the National Academies on the statement of task.
Proceedings published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine chronicle the presentations and discussions at a workshop, symposium, or other event convened by the National Academies. The statements and opinions contained in proceedings are those of the participants and are not endorsed by other participants, the planning committee, or the National Academies.
Rapid Expert Consultations published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are authored by subject-matter experts on narrowly focused topics that can be supported by a body of evidence. The discussions contained in rapid expert consultations are considered those of the authors and do not contain policy recommendations. Rapid expert consultations are reviewed by the institution before release.
For information about other products and activities of the National Academies, please visit www.nationalacademies.org/about/whatwedo.
COMMITTEE ON EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING IMPACTS ON SOCIETY
DAN ARVIZU (Chair), Former Chancellor/President, New Mexico State University System; Former Director, Department of Energy’s National Renewable Laboratory, Former Chair of the National Science Board, currently member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
EDWARD H. FRANK, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Brilliant Lime, Inc. and Cloud Parity
SELDA GUNSEL, President, Shell Global Solutions (U.S.); Vice President of Global Lubricants and Fuels Technology, Shell
WILLIAM S. HAMMACK, William H. and Janet G. Lycan Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
EBONEY HEARN, Executive Director, Office of Engineering Outreach Programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
LAURA A. LINDENFELD, Dean, School of Communication and Journalism, Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Planning, Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, Stony Brook University
THERESA A. MALDONADO, Vice President for Research & Innovation, University of California Office of the President
LOUIS A. MARTIN-VEGA, Former Dean of Engineering, Distinguished University Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University
YU TAO, Associate Professor of Sociology, Stevens Institute of Technology
JIMMY WILLIAMS JR., Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, ATI, Inc.
JEFFREY R. YOST, Director, Charles Babbage Institute for Computing, Information, and Culture; Research Professor, History of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
National Academy of Engineering staff
DAVID A. BUTLER, J. Herbert Hollomon Scholar, Study Director
COURTNEY HILL, Program Officer (until January 2023)
CASEY GIBSON, Associate Program Officer (from January 2023)
MAIYA SPELL, Senior Program Assistant (until January 2023)
CHESSIE BRIGGS, Senior Program Assistant (from March 2023)
SUDHIR SHENOY, Associate Program Officer (from December 2023)
GURU MADHAVAN, Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar, Senior Director of Programs
Contract Writer
STEVE OLSON, Freelance Writer
This page intentionally left blank.
Reviewers
This Consensus Study Report was reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in making each published report as sound as possible and to ensure that it meets the institutional standards for quality, 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 thank the following individuals for their review of this report:
DAVID D. CLARK (NAE), Massachusetts Institute of Technology
ELIZABETH DICKEY, Carnegie Mellon University
NICHOLAS M. DONOFRIO (NAE), NMD Consulting, LLC
PETER GALISON, Harvard University
MARIA GINI, University of Minnesota
HE (HELEN) HUANG, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University
SUBRAMANIAN S. IYER, National Institute of Standards and Technology
KRISTINA M. JOHNSON (NAE), Columbia University
K.J. RAY LIU (NAE), Origin AI
ANDRE W. MARSHALL, George Mason University
KISHOR C. MEHTA (NAE), Texas Tech University
RICHARD M. MURRAY (NAE), California Institute of Technology
MELISSA ORME (NAE), The Boeing Company
WILLIE PEARSON, Georgia Institute of Technology
JAMES D. PLUMMER (NAE), Stanford University
DONNA RILEY, The University of New Mexico
DIETRAM A. SCHEUFELE, University of Wisconsin-Madison
EUGENE SPAFFORD, Purdue University
ROBERT F. SPROULL (NAE), University of Massachusetts at Amherst
ALAN I. TAUB (NAE), University of Michigan
JEAN W. TOM (NAE), University of Virginia
KON-WELL WANG, University of Michigan
Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations of this report nor did they see the final draft before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Anita K. Jones (NAE), University of Virginia and Asad M. Madni (NAE), University of California, Los Angeles. They responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with the standards of the National Academies and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content rests entirely with the authoring committee and the National Academies.
Preface
As the chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee on Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society, it is my profound honor to introduce this report, which showcases the transformative impact of engineering achievements on society, enabled by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) steadfast support of research and education. This document is a testament to the enduring power of engineering innovation to reshape our world, enhance our quality of life, and drive forward the frontiers of human knowledge and capability.
Engineering is the invisible hand that molds our future, crafting solutions to complex challenges and expanding the horizons of what is possible. From the internet to clean energy technologies and beyond, engineering innovations have fundamentally changed how we live, work, and connect with one another. These achievements, however, did not materialize in a vacuum. They are the fruits of a deeply rooted commitment to research and education, championed by the NSF since its inception in 1950.
This report is not merely a chronicle of past successes; it is a beacon, illuminating the path for future generations of engineers. It underscores the critical role of federal support in fostering an environment where bold ideas can thrive, interdisciplinary collaborations flourish, and educational opportunities abound. By highlighting the stories of individuals whose lives and work have been shaped by NSF-funded projects, we aim to demystify the field of engineering, bringing to light the human ingenuity and perseverance behind each breakthrough.
The contributions of the committee members and the National Academies staff who authored this report cannot be overstated. Their dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit were instrumental in bringing this complex narrative to life. Together, they have woven a rich tapestry of discovery that not only honors the legacy of engineering innovation but also points the way toward a future brimming with potential.
Central to this report is our intent to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, particularly those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in these fields. It is our firm belief that the richness of diversity is our nation’s greatest strength, providing the broad range of perspectives and ideas necessary to tackle the societal challenges and aspirations of our time. By showcasing the extraordinary achievements enabled by NSF research and education funding, we hope to kindle a passion for engineering in young minds from all corners of society, encouraging them to envision themselves as the architects of tomorrow’s innovations.
In closing, let us reflect on the boundless possibilities that lie at the intersection of engineering and societal need. May this report serve not only as a record of what has been accomplished but also as a clarion call to those who will build the future. The journey ahead is filled with challenges, but it is through embracing these challenges that we forge a better world. To the aspiring engineers and scientists reading this: your vision, your creativity, and your dedication are the keys to unlocking the next great era of engineering innovation. The future is in your hands.
Dan Arvizu, Chair
Committee on Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society
Contents
The Committee’s Statement of Task and Insights Gained from the Sponsor
The Committee’s Approach to Fulfilling Its Task
Where This Report Fits within the Scholarship Addressing the Impacts of Engineering Research Support
How the Committee Defines “Engineering” and “Impact”
Report Organization and Framework
2 NSF’S SUPPORT OF ENGINEERING-RELATED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Origins of NSF Engineering Research Support
NSF Units That Have Supported Engineering Activities
Mechanisms for Providing Engineering-Related Support at NSF
3 CONSIDERATIONS IN IDENTIFYING ENGINEERING IMPACTS ON SOCIETY
Overview – Impacts of Engineering on Society
Engineering Innovation and NSF Funding
Impacts of NSF programs and ERCs
The NSF Broader Impacts Review Criterion
4 RECOGNIZING ENGINEERING IMPACTS ON SOCIETY BROUGHT ABOUT BY NSF INVESTMENTS
Considerations in Recognizing the Ways in Which Engineering Research
Previous Efforts to Identify Impacts Brought About by NSF Investments
The Committee’s Outreach Efforts to Identify Impacts Brought About by NSF Investments
The Committee’s Framework for Identifying Engineering Impacts on Society
Exemplary Engineering Impacts on Society Identified by the Committee
Biomedical/Rehabilitative Engineering
Engineering Education and Early Career Support
Materials Science and Engineering
NSF Centers (Engineering Research Centers and Others)
NSF Contributions to Internet Advancements
5 COMMUNICATING ENGINEERING IMPACTS ON SOCIETY TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES
The Importance of Communicating Engineering’s Impacts on Society
Considerations in Communicating Engineering Impacts
The Committee’s Approach to Developing Example Outreach Materials
Conclusions and Recommendations
A Agenda – 2022 Symposium on Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society
B Examples of Engineering Impacts on Society Outreach Materials
C Biographic Sketches of Committee Members and Project Staff
Boxes, Figures, and Tables
BOXES
1-1 The Committee’s Statement of Task
5-1 Diversity-Oriented Engineering Organizations
FIGURES
4-3 Timeline of events relevant to NSF centers through 2020
4-4 The cover of volume 1 of The Adventures of Captain Internet and CERF Boy
5-1 Still from the Example 1: Meet an Engineer video interview with Dr. Gary May
5-2 The opening image of the Example 2: Queen of Carbon interactive graphic
5-3 Still from the Example 3: Earthquake Shake Table video
5-4 Photographs from the Example 4: Grand Challenges in Engineering blog post
TABLES
2-1 NSF Directorates and Their Year of Initiation
2-2 Examples of NSF Funding Programs Related to Engineering
3-2 The “Grand Challenges for Engineering” Identified in 2008
4-1 NSF Nifty 50 (2000) Achievements Most Directly Related to Engineering
4-3 NAE Member Questionnaire Responses – Significant Engineering Impacts on Society
4-4 NSF Staff Input – Significant Engineering Impacts on Society
4-5 Foundational and NSF-Influenced Advanced Manufacturing Patents and Processes
