NSF FY 2002 Request: Engineering

NSF’s “FY 2002 Budget Request to Congress” details the Engineering request. The Engineering Activity request would remain essentially level, increasing $0.21 million from $430.84 million to $431.05 million.

There are six Subactivities within the Engineering Activity:

The Bioengineering and Environmental Systems Subactivity budget would decrease 1.9%, or $0.76 million, from $39.21 million to $38.45 million.

The Chemical and Transport Systemsbudget would decrease 1.1%, or $0.57 million, from $50.72 million to $50.15 million.

The Civil and Mechanical Systems (CMS) budget would decrease 2.0%, or $1.08 million, from $53.26 million to $52.18 million. The budget document states, “Nanoscale Science and Engineering: An increase of $1.67 million for a total of $4.45 million for new capabilities to observe, create, and manipulate materials and surfaces at the nanoscale to develop the fundamental knowledge and techniques necessary to adapt advances in nanotechnology to CMS-related applications. Examples include superstrong materials for structural use, nanosensors, low-friction surfaces, and nanoscale motors and actuators.”

The Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation budget would decrease 0.4%, or $0.49 million, from $126.19 million to $125.70 million. Within this subactivity, the budget for Design, Manufacture and Industrial Innovation would decline 1.0%, or $0.49 million, from $51.36 million to $50.87 million. The Small Business-Industrial Innovation budget would remain level at $74.83 million. The budget document states that FY 2002 plans include: “Support for the Nanoscale Science and Engineering (NSE) priority area of nano-manufacturing covering nano-features enhancement in micro/meso products and devices, nano-assembly and connectivity, nano-process control and nano- system integration increases by $1.67 million for a total of $7.17 million” and “Support within NSE for an initial study of scale-up issues in terms of product reliability, product and process reproducibility, robustness of system, environmental compatibility and economic feasibility for a Nanoscale Experimental and Testing Facility (NEXT) increases by $1.67 million for a total of $1.67 million.”

The Electrical and Communications Systems (ECS) budget would increase 5.8%, or $3.12 million, from $53.97 million to $57.09 million. The budget document states: “In FY 2002, ECS will maintain support for the Information Technology Research priority area at a level of $2.68 million, unchanged from FY 2001. This support will emphasize research on developing high-end computing tools to accelerate the design of the next generation IT manufacturing techniques in areas such as photonic crystals and sensors and detectors.” Also, “An increase of $3.12 million will support the Nanobiotechnology Science and Technology Center at Cornell University. Reallocation within the base will provide support for increased activity and future potential applications in the following areas: Nanoscale and Engineering research increases $3.34 million for a total of $20.14 million and focuses support on fundamental principles of electronic and photonic devices, manipulation of nanostructures, and modeling and simulation of new device architectures and systems. Smaller and faster devices based on nanoscale science and engineering will create opportunities for new electronics, biotechnology, and information and communications systems. Investments are also planned for a Nanotechnology Experimentation and Testing Facility (NEXT) to address issues regarding the development of a new instrumentation for nanoscale research, characterization and prototyping of devices.”

The Engineering Education and Centers budget would remain level at $107.48 million. The budget document states: “Support for the Nanoscale Science and Engineering priority area increases $1.67 million for a total of $14.47 million. This increase will support 2-3 new Combined Research and Curriculum Development (CRCD) projects and one new Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in the area of nanotechnology.”