Released 08.27.08

High-end capability computing (HECC) has been playing an increasingly important role in advancing knowledge in broad areas of science and engineering.  As a consequence, the federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program, which coordinates federal investments in information technology, has become quite interested in gaining a better understanding of where investments in HECC would be most productive.  In particular what are key scientific and engineering questions on which significant progress is impossible or unlikely without HECC?  To assist in exploring this issue, NITRD asked the NRC to study the potential impact of HECC on four illustrative fields: atmospheric physics, astrophysics, chemical separations, and evolutionary biology.  This report presents assessments of the potential impact for each field; an analysis of the numerical and algorithmic characteristics of the HECC-dependent major challenges for the four fields including cross-cutting challenges; and a set of conclusions to help guide future investments in HECC.

U.S. Conventional Prompt Global Strike: Issues for 2008 and Beyond (NSB)

Released 08.21.08

In its FY2007 budget request, the Department of Defense sought funding to develop a capability to strike within a few hours any point in the world with conventional weapons.  That prompt global strike (PGS) capability would have been implemented by replacing the nuclear warhead on selected Trident missiles with a conventional explosive warhead.  Congressional concerns about the PGS concept resulted in a request to the NRC in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act to analyze a broad range of technical and policy aspects about the DOD proposal including consideration of a range of other options.  This is the final report of this study and presents an introduction to the PGS concept; an analysis of the military issues; an examination of political, international, policy, doctrinal, and technology issues; an assessment of conventional PGS options; a discussion of key questions; and major findings and recommendations. 

Assessment of the Bureau of Reclamation's Security Program (BICE)

Released 08.19.09

The failure of any of the nation's major hydroelectric and flood control dams as a result of terrorist attacks would likely cause substantial harm.  The attacks on the World Trade Center significantly increased the attention of owners and operators of these dams to their vulnerabilities, and caused them to look for ways to identify threats, manage risk, and implement protection measures.  To help gauge how these efforts have been progressing, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) asked the NRC to assess the Bureau's security program and its level of preparedness to deter, respond to, and recover from potential attacks on its facilities.  This report presents a review of the context in which this program operates; a description of the BOR security program; an assessment of the BOR security-related processes; observations and findings about the Bureau's future plans for a sustainable security program; and findings, conclusions, and recommendations to improve the security program.

Emerging Cognitive Neuroscience and Related Technologies (AFSB)

Released 08.13.08

In 2004, the NRC set up a standing committee to report on emerging scientific and technological trends that would be of critical importance to the nation's intelligence community (IC).  One such area is cognitive neuroscience and neurotechnology.  Deciding what information in those areas has national security information and assigning priorities, however, is a daunting challenge.  To help with this task, the NRC was asked by the Defense Intelligence Agency to identify those areas that will develop over the next 20 years and could have national security implications and be of interest to the IC.  This report begins with a discussion of questions about cognitive neuroscience and related technologies that may be important for the decision maker.  It then presents an assessment of selected areas of interest in cognitive science research and technology; an examination of emerging areas; an analysis of cultural and ethical underpinnings; and an assessment of potential intelligence and military applications of these areas.

A Review of the DOE Plan for U.S. Fusion Community Participation in the ITER Program (BPA)

Released 07.28.08

The ITER project is a multination partnership-including the United States-to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy.  Construction of ITER is to begin this year at a site at Cadarache, France.  The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directed DOE to prepare a plan for U.S. participation in the ITER project and to secure an independent review of that plan.  In August 2006, DOE asked the NRC to carry out that review.  The NRC is to review the plan document, evaluate key elements of the plan, and recommend next steps in its development.  This report presents a review of the ITER project up to its present status; an evaluation of the current DOE plan for U.S. participation; and recommendations for future development of that plan.

Assessing the Research and Development Plan for the Next Generation Air Transportation System: Summary of a Workshop (ASEB)

Released 07.31.08 

The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) was established by Congress in 2003 to meet the technical challenges of the expected growth in air traffic in the United States over the next two decades.  The responsibility for implanting NextGen rests with the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO).  In 2007, JPDO asked the NRC to organize a workshop to assess the R&D plan for NextGen.  The workshop allowed JPDO to present this plan to a broad audience and solicit its reactions to the plan.  This report gives a description of NextGen and JPDO, presents a number of key issues, and provides some specific observations and research questions that emerged from the workshop presentations and discussions.

Released 07.26.08

The State of Ohio's Department of Development's 2008 Engineering Research and Commercialization Program of the Ohio Frontier Project is intended to help capitalize on new scientific and technological discoveries to enhance job growth and create new industries.  To implement the project, the State issued a request for proposals that covered two broad areas: engineering and physical science and biosciences.  To assist the State in this effort, the NRC was asked to conduct an independent review of the submitted proposals.  This letter report focuses on the first area.  For that area, four focus areas were identified by the State: advanced materials; information technology; instruments, controls, and electronics; and power and propulsion.  A total of 32 proposals were considered by the NRC, and this report presents the findings of that review.  A separate report will be issued covering proposals submitted in the biosciences area.

Transitions to Alternative Transportation Technologies-A Focus on Hydrogen (PDF) (BEES)

Released 07.17.08

Hydrogen, as a fuel for light-duty vehicles, could dramatically reduce the nation's dependence on imported oil and U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide.  Research toward this end has made impressive progress over the past several years.  Yet widespread use of hydrogen by motor vehicles will require further technological developments, an adequate supply of hydrogen, and the commercialization of new automotive manufacturing technologies.  In the 2005 Energy Policy Act, Congress directed DOE to request the NRC to estimate the maximum practicable number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that could be deployed in the United States by 2020, determine the public and private resources and government actions needed to reach that goal, and assess the implication for oil consumption and CO2 emissions.  This report presents assessments of the study context, hydrogen technology, alternative technologies, the role of stationary electric power, and potential reduction of oil use and CO2 emissions; a budget roadmap; and analyses of actions to promote hydrogen vehicles and advantages and disadvantages of this transition.

Ensuring the Climate Record from the NPOESS and GOES-R Spacecraft: Elements of a Strategy to Recover Measurement Capabilities Lost in Program Restructuring (SSB)

Released 07.10.08

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite system (NPOESS) was created in 1994 in an action that merged the military and civil meteorological programs. In 2005, however, large cost estimate overruns resulted in a significant contraction of the program including a reduction in planned spacecraft acquisition, a delay in the first launch to 2013, and the cancellation or degradation of several sensors. In 2006, cost growth in NOAA's program for its next generation of geostationary weather satellites also resulted in the cancellation of a major sensor on the GOES-R satellite planned for launch in 2015. In 2007, NASA and NOAA asked the NRC to carry out a short study that would prioritize capabilities needed to support climate research and applications that were lost or placed at risk by the changes in the NPOESS and GOES-R spacecraft, and to offer strategies to recover these capabilities. This report provides a discussion of the context of these two programs, the requested prioritization and options for short-term recover, a recommended strategy for short-term recovery, and an assessment of the elements of a long-term climate strategy.

Released 06.01.08

 The integrity of equipment used in military operations is critical for effective and safe use. In the past several years, the Air Force Research Lab has focused on the development of embedded sensing technologies-materials state awareness-as a means for ensuring this integrity.  Implementing such a system requires the solution to a host of complicated scientific and technical problems.  To help address these issues, the AFRL asked the NRC to hold a workshop on materials state awareness.  This report presents a set of extended abstracts of the speaker's presentations.  They include key issues in materials state awareness; what is materials state awareness; the characteristics and properties that should be sensed and how that should be done; materials state awareness application issues, and the future of materials state awareness.

Released 06.10.08

Heavy-duty trucks and buses now consume about 21 percent of the fuel used for surface transportation in the United States.  As gasoline and diesel fuel prices have risen in the past few years, the pressure to find ways to increase fuel use efficiency by these trucks and buses has grown significantly.  In 2000, four federal agencies and 15 industrial partners formed the 21st Century Truck Partnership (21CTP) to manage a cooperative R&D effort towards a safer and more efficient fleet of vehicles.  In 2007, DOE-which now leads the partnership-asked the NRC to conduct an independent assessment of the 21CTP.  This report provides a discussion of the organization and background of the Partnership; an analysis of its management strategy and priority setting; and an assessment of the Partnership's technical goals for engine systems and fuels, heavy-duty hybrid vehicles; reduction of parasitic energy losses, engine idle reduction, and safety.

Released 05.22.08

The nation's defense systems depend critically on advanced software, a dependency that will grow in both extent and complexity.  Yet the Department of Defense is increasingly concerned for a number of reasons about its ability to meet these growing software needs.  The help address these concerns, DoD asked the NRC to assess the nature of the national investment in software research and consider ways to revitalize the knowledge and human resource base needed to assure the needed software-intensive systems.  To provide preliminary feedback on DoD software research needs and priorities and suggestions for a research agenda, DoD asked the NRC for an interim letter report.  The letter report addresses three key technology areas:  the management of engineering risk; software quality assurance; and the reduction of requirements-related risk without excessive sacrifice in systems capability.  These and other areas will be discussed in greater detail in the final report.

Science Opportunities Enabled by NASA's Constellation System-Interim Report (SSB, ASEB)

Released 05.08.2008

To begin implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration (recently renamed "United States Space Exploration Policy"), NASA has begun development of new launch vehicles and a human-carrying spacecraft that are collectively called the Constellation System. In November 2007, NASA asked the NRC to evaluate the potential for the Constellation System to enable new space science opportunities. For this interim report, 11 existing "Vision Mission" studies of advanced space science mission concepts inspired by earlier NASA forward-looking studies were evaluated. The focus was to assess the concepts and group them into two categories: more-deserving or less deserving of future study. This report presents a description of the Constellation System and its opportunities for enabling new space science opportunities, and a systematic analysis of the 11 Vision Mission studies. For the final report, the NRC issued a request for information to the relevant communities to obtain ideas for other mission concepts that will be assessed by the study committee, and several issues addressed only briefly in the interim report will be explored more fully.

Integrated Computational Materials Engineering: A Transformational Discipline for Improved Competitiveness and National Security (NMAB)

Released 04.25.2008

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) is an emerging discipline that can accelerate materials development and unify design and manufacturing. Developing ICME is a grand challenge that could provide significant economic benefit. To help develop a strategy for development of this new technology area, DOE and DoD asked the NRC to explore its benefits and promises, including the benefits of a comprehensive ICME capability; to establish a strategy for development and maintenance of an ICME infrastructure, and to make recommendations about how best to meet these opportunities. This report provides a vision for ICME, a review of case studies and lessons learned, an analysis of technological barriers, and an evaluation of ways to overcome cultural and organizational challenges to develop the discipline.

United States Civil Space Policy: Summary of a Workshop (SSB, ASEB)

Released 05.02.2008

In 2004, the NRC released a workshop report about the future direction of the U.S. civil space program. At the same time, the Administration announced the Vision for Space Exploration, and in June 2004, it issued a report that articulated a balanced space program for human and robotic exploration and science. Subsequent NRC reports, however, have noted that NASA has not been given the resources to carry out this broad-based program. This challenge, along with others faced by the U.S. civil space program, stimulated the NRC to form an ad hoc committee to organize a second workshop, held in November 2007, to address the space program's future directions. The workshop's goal was to air a range of views and perspectives so as to inform discussions of these questions by policymakers and the public. This report presents a summary of the workshop.

Review of NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program: An Interim Report (ASEB)

Released 04.10.2008

To meet the objectives of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), NASA must develop a wide array of enabling technologies. For this purpose, NASA established the Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP). Currently, ETDP has 22 projects underway. In the report accompanying the House-passed version of the FY2007 appropriations bill, the agency was directed to request from the NRC an independent assessment of the ETDP. This interim report provides an assessment of each of the 22 projects including a quality rating, an analysis of how effectively the research is being carried out, and the degree to which the research is aligned with the VSE. To the extent possible, the identification and discussion of various cross-cutting issues are also presented. Those issues will be explored and discussed in more detail in the final report.

State Voter Registration Databases: Immediate Actions and Future Improvements-Interim Report (CSTB)

Released 04.08.2008

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires the states to develop a single, computerized voter registration data base (VRD) that is defined, maintained, and administered at the state level. To help the states with this task, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission asked the NRC to organize a series of workshops and prepare an interim report addressing the challenges in implementing and maintaining state VRDs. The EAC also asked the NRC to advise the states on how to evolve and maintain the databases so that they can share information with each other. This report provides an examination of various challenges to the deployment of state VRDs and describes potential solutions to these challenges. This interim report's primary focus is on shorter-term recommendations although a number of long-range recommendations are presented. The final report will elaborate on the long-range questions and address considerations about interstate interoperability of the VRDs.

NASA Aeronautics Research: An Assessment (ASEB)

Released 04.07.2008

In 2006, the NRC published a Decadal Survey of Civil Aeronautics: Foundation for the Future, which set out six strategic objectives for the next decade of civil aeronautics research and technology. To determine how NASA is implementing the decadal survey, Congress mandated in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Act of 2005 that the NRC carry out a review of those efforts. Among other things, this report presents an assessment of how well NASA's research portfolio is addressing the recommendations and high priority R&T challenges identified in the Decadal Survey; how well NASA's aeronautic research portfolio is addressing the aeronautics research requirements; and whether the nation will have the skilled workforce and research facilities to meet the first two items.

Managing Space Radiation Risk in the New Era of Space Exploration (ASEB)

Released 03.31.2008

As part of the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), NASA is planning for humans to revisit the Moon and someday go to Mars. An important consideration in this effort is protection against the exposure to space radiation. That radiation might result in severe long-term health consequences for astronauts on such missions if they are not adequately shielded. To help with these concerns, NASA asked the NRC to further the understanding of the risks of space radiation, to evaluate radiation shielding requirements, and recommend a strategic plan for developing appropriate mitigation capabilities. This report presents an assessment of current knowledge of the radiation environment; an examination of the effects of radiation on biological systems and mission equipment; an analysis of current plans for radiation protection; and a strategy for mitigating the risks to VSE astronauts.

Released 03.11.08

The New Frontiers Program was created by NASA in 2002 at the recommendation of the NRC's decadal survey for solar system research.  In order to optimize solar system research, the NRC recommended a series of principal-investigator missions that encourage innovation and accomplish the main scientific objectives presented in the survey.  Two of the five recommended missions have been selected and, as was also recommended in the survey, the NRC was asked in 2007 to provide criteria and guiding principles to NASA for determining the list of candidate missions.  This report presents a review of eight missions-the three remaining from the original list of five from the survey plus five missions considered by the survey committee but which were not recommended.  Included in the review of each mission is a discussion of relevant science and technology developments since the survey and set of recommended science goals.

Released 03.19.08

The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership is a collaborative effort among the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and five major energy companies to manage research that will enable the vision of "a clean and sustainable transportation energy future."  It envisions a transition from more efficient internal combustion engines (ICEs), to advanced ICE hybrid electric vehicles, and to enabling a private-sector decision by 2015 on hydrogen-fueled vehicle development.  At the request of DOE, the NRC has undertaken an effort to provide biennial reviews of the progress of the research program.  Phase I of that review was described in a report issued in 2005.  This second report presents an assessment of the progress in the research program management areas as well as the responses of program management to recommendations provided in the Phase I report.  Covered in this second report are major crosscutting issues; vehicle subsystems; hydrogen production, delivery, and dispensing; and an overall assessment of the program.

Released 03.03.08

The United States is in the process of destroying its chemical weapons stockpile.  In 1996, Congress mandated that DoD demonstrate and select alternative methods to incineration at the Blue Grass and Pueblo sites.  The Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program was setup to oversee the development of these methods, and pilot plants were established at both sites.  One of the new technologies being developed at the Blue Grass pilot plant are metal parts treaters (MPTs) to be used for the empty metal munitions cases.  During recent testing, some issues arose with the MPTs that caused the ACWA to request a review by the NRC to investigate and determine their causes.  This report of that review presents a discussion of the MPT system; an assessment of the MPT testing activities; an analysis of thermal testing, modeling, and predicted throughput of the MPT; and an examination of the applicability of munitions treatment units under development at Pueblo for the Blue Grass pilot plant.

Nanophotonics: Accessibility and Applicability (AFSB)

Released 02.01.08 

The Committee on Technology Insight-Gauge, Evaluate & Review set up by the NRC at the request of the Defense Intelligence Agency, has selected a number of emerging technologies to investigate for their potential threats to and opportunities for national security.  This first study focused on emerging applications of nanophotonics.  Nanophotonics is about the interaction of matter and light at the scale of the wavelength of the light.  Manipulation of matter at that scale allows tailoring the optical properties to permit a wide-range of commercial and defense applications.  This report presents a review of the nanoscale phenomena underpinning nanophotonics, an assessment of enabling technologies for developing new applications, an examination of potential military applications, and an assessment of foreign investment capabilities.

Workshop Series on Issues in Space Science and Technology: Summary of Space and Earth Science Issues from the Workshop on U.S. Civil Space Policy (SSB)

Released 02.11.08

NASA has asked the Space Studies Board (SSB) of the NRC to examine issues related to space science and technology through a series of three workshops.  The first of these was held in November 2007 in conjunction with another workshop being held jointly by the SSB and ASEB to assess U.S. civil space policy broadly.   Some of the workshop sessions focused more than others on issues of interest to NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD).  This report concentrates on those sessions and presents a summary of the views of the participants on the issues that are relevant to SMD.  A separate report will be prepared on the full range of issues about U.S. civil space policy discussed at the workshop.

Space Science and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Summary of a Workshop (SSB)

Released 02.12.08

ITAR, which controls defense trade, includes the U.S. Munitions List (USML) which specifies categories of defense articles and services covered by the regulations.  In 1999, space satellites were added to the USML.  In 2002 ITAR was amended to exclude U.S. universities from having to obtain ITAR licenses when performing fundamental research involving foreign countries and/or persons.  Despite this provision, there remains considerable uncertainty among university researchers about whether the regulations apply to their research leading to a rather conservative interpretation of the regulations and the imposition of burdens that might not be necessary.  To explore this concern, NASA asked the NRC to organize a workshop of all stakeholders on the implications of ITAR for space science.  This report presents a summary of the workshop discussions including those on perspectives on recent developments and implementation of ITAR; overarching issues; problems arising from ITAR's implementation; and opportunities for near-term actions and improvements.

Inspired by Biology:  From Molecules to Materials to Machines (BPA, BLS)

Released 02.15.08

Scientists have long desired to create synthetic systems that function with the precision and efficiency of biological systems.  Using new techniques, researchers are now uncovering principles that could allow the creation of synthetic materials that can perform tasks as precise as biological systems.  To assess the current work and future promise of the biology-materials science intersection, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation asked the NRC to identify the most compelling questions and opportunities at this interface, suggest strategies to address them, and consider connections with national priorities such as healthcare and economic growth.  This report presents a discussion of principles governing biomaterial design, a description of advanced materials for selected functions such as energy and national security, an assessment of biomolecular materials research tools, and an examination of infrastructure and resources for bridging biological and materials science.

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy; Letter Report (BEES)

Released 02.20.08

In 2001, the NRC released a report-Effectiveness and Impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards.  High oil prices and recent legislation mandating a further increase in the CAFE standards have renewed interest in the current and expected technical potential for automobile fuel efficiency.  Accordingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requested the NRC to provide an objective and independent update of the 2001 study and add an assessment of technologies that have emerged since that time.  This letter report presents an interim assessment of technologies to be analyzed in the study and of the computational models that will be used in that analysis.  Estimated fuel-economy benefits presented in this report reflect those from existing literature and presentations to the study committee.  A final report is scheduled for late spring 2008. 

Wake Turbulence, An Obstacle to Increased Air Traffic Capacity (ASEB)

Released 01.10.08

Without major changes, the current air transportation system will be unable to accommodate the expected increase in demand by 2025.  One proposal to address this problem is to use the Global Positioning System to enable aircraft to fly more closely spaced.  This approach, however, might be limited by the wake turbulence problem, which can be a safety hazard when smaller aircraft follow relatively larger aircraft too closely.  To examine how this potential hazard might be reduced, Congress in 2005 directed NASA to request a study from the NRC to assess the federal wake turbulence R&D program.  This report provides a description of the problem, an assessment of the organizational challenges to addressing wake turbulence, an analysis of the technical challenges in wake turbulence, and a proposal for a wake turbulence program plan.  A series of recommendations for addressing the wake turbulence challenge are also given.

Manpower and Personnel Needs for a Transformed Naval Force (NSB)

Released 01.02.08

The Department of Defense (DOD) is undertaking a major effort to transform the nation's armed services to meet future military challenges.  Advances in science and technology are playing a critical role in this transformation.  The changes wrought by new technologies have rippled through all operations aspects and have highlighted the need for changes in military personnel policies.  To assist the Navy address these changes, the NRC was asked to review the military manpower and personnel policies and studies currently underway at DOD and to develop a strategy for future Navy military manpower and personnel needs.  This report presents an introduction to current personnel policies of and concerns facing the Navy; an assessment of demographic, technological, and other forces affecting future personnel needs and availability; a summary and assessment of previous studies; an examination of the role of research in implementing personnel policy change; and an analysis of obstacles to and strategies for transforming the Naval force.