Released 09.05.07

The Beyond Einstein (BE) program is a set of five space missions designed to address important questions about physics and astrophysics.  In 2003, NASA prepared a research roadmap proposing these five missions in order to study dark energy, black holes, gravitational radiation, inflation of the early universe, and Einstein's theory of gravitation.  In FY2007, congressional language prompted NASA and DOE to request the NRC to assess these missions and recommend which to develop and launch first using a funding wedge that will start in 2009.  This report provides, for each mission, an analysis of its scientific impact, an examination of technical risk and a cost assessment, and a review of related policy and programmatic issues.  The report concludes with recommendations to guide the programs development.

Executive Summary 

Released 06.20.07

The nature of materials research demands mechanisms to support interdisciplinary research to achieve the full potential of materials science and engineering. To this end, the NSF established the Materials Research Science and Engineering (MRSEC) program in 1994 to foster group research on materials in the academic community. After more than ten years, NSF deemed it appropriate to examine the MRSEC program. It requested the NRC to assess the performance and impact of the centers and, in the context of current trends in materials research, recommend future directions and roles for the program. This report provides a review of the overall context of the MRSEC program; an assessment of the impact of its research efforts, facilities, and education and outreach activities; an assessment of the impact of collaboration with industry; and an assessment of the future of the centers.

Plasma Science: Advancing Knowledge in the National Interest (BPA)

Released 05.29.07 

As part of its current physics decadal survey, Physics 2010, the NRC was asked by the DOE, NSF, and NASA to carry out an assessment of and outlook for the broad field of plasma science and engineering over the next several years. The study was to focus on progress in plasma research, identify the most compelling new scientific opportunities, evaluate prospects for broader application of plasmas, and offer guidance to realize these opportunities. The study paid particular attention to these last two points. This "demand-side" perspective provided a clear look at what plasma research can do to help achieve national goals of fusion energy, economic competitiveness, and nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship. The report provides an examination of the broad themes that frame plasma research: low-temperature plasma science and engineering; plasma physics at high energy density; plasma science of magnetic fusion; space and astrophysical science; and basic plasma science. Within those themes, the report offers a bold vision for future developments in plasma science.

Released 05.01.07

The NRC has long used decadal surveys to review the status of and outlook for selected research fields, and to provide recommendations for scientific and programmatic priorities for federal research funding. While widely successful, various fiscal, technical, and policy factors have made implementation of this advice by relevant federal agencies difficult at times. To determine whether the approach to future surveys could be modified or improved to help account more effectively for those factors, the NRC undertook a workshop involving the research community and the relevant agencies to examine this question. This report presents a summary of the workshop. It provides a review of recent decadal surveys; a discussion of how to assess more effectively program cost and technical risk; an analysis of lessons learned from past surveys; and the identification of approaches that could enhance the realism, endurance, and utility of future surveys.

A Review of Proposals to the 2007 Wright Megacenters of Innovation (WMI) Program of the State of Ohio (BLS, ASEB)

Released 01/15/2007

The State of Ohio's Department of Development launched the 2007 Wright Megacenters of Innovation (WMI) program to help capitalize on new scientific and technological discoveries to enhance job growth and create new industries. To assist the State in this effort, the NRC was asked to conduct an independent review of proposals submitted to that program. Seven proposals were submitted-four in the biosciences and three in the physical sciences. This letter report presents the findings of that evaluation and includes a detailed discussion of each of the seven proposals. The report was prepared jointly by the Board on Life Sciences of the Division on Earth and Life Studies and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of DEPS.