“Shared Missions, Combined Resources: NSF and American Industry”

A major component of the Clinton Administration’s technology policy is increased government support of and interaction with the private sector to improve national economic competitiveness. This approach is echoed on Capitol Hill, as seen in the Senate Appropriations Committee report language on the future of the National Science Foundation (see FYI #116) which states “Not less than 60 percent of the agency’s annual program research activities should be strategic in nature.”

Useful in understanding the role of the NSF in the administration’s policy, from the perspective of the foundation itself, is a new 16-page brochure distributed by NSF entitled, “Shared Missions, Combined Resources: National Science Foundation and American Industry.” Selections from this brochure (#93-157) follow:

“Partners: Over the years, NSF has been instrumental in dozens of major research discoveries that led to the formation of entire new industries and the creation of millions of new jobs. Lasers, fiber optics, electronics, polymers, superconducting materials, composite materials, biotechnology and environmental management are some of the fields that have benefitted greatly from NSF-sponsored research. Moreover, NSF funds have educated and trained several generations of world-class scientists and engineers.

“Today, we are working with U.S. industry on a broad range of challenges...

“Supporting world-class research that’s expanding the frontiers of knowledge; Helping technology-intensive American industries stay ahead of foreign competitors; Developing new generations of well-educated, highly skilled scientists, engineers and teachers; Supporting comprehensive reforms in science, engineering and mathematics education; Educating policymakers and the public about how science and engineering improve the quality of our lives.

“Working together, the National Science Foundation and U.S. industry are addressing these challenges with far-reaching solutions that will benefit all Americans now and for years to come.

“Shared missions, combined resources: Together we’re putting education and research to work for the nation.

“For Instance... In an era when government-industry-academic cooperation is more of a national priority than ever, NSF is a model partner. We are active in many different fields, with many different kinds of businesses (large and small).”

The remainder of the brochure cites instances of this cooperation. They include:

“Helping industry compete. Through an affiliation with NSF’s Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, USX Corporation is strengthening its competitive position in the global steel industry. Using the center’s supercomputers and staff, the company is able to make steel alloys that are tougher and easier to weld....

“Creating new industries. When NSF assumed a leading role in the mid-1980s, the national computer network had only about 50,000 users, mostly university researchers and computer scientists who used the network to access the handful of supercomputers at campuses around the country. By 1993, NSFNet had become the backbone of an ever-expanding global information highway. Today, some 12 million to 15 million users rely on NSFNet....

“Helping America stay on the cutting edge. In Rochester, NY, professors and graduate students at the University of Rochester are working side-by-side with their peers from Eastman Kodak and Xerox to help the United States stay on the cutting edge of imaging technology, which drives everything from cameras to copiers.... These are three [also citing Santa Barbara and Chicago] of 25 NSF Science and Technology Centers conducting the world-class research that American industry needs to stay on top in the race for global competitive leadership in fields ranging from astrophysics to optics, climate modeling to composites.

“Meeting national needs. Working with companies such as Procter & Gamble, the Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University is developing software that assesses the biodegradability of chemicals used in consumer products. It is one of several NSF-industry partnerships in the area of environmental management.”

“Creating win-win situations. Thanks to a collaboration with the Engineering Research Center (ERC) at the University of Maryland, Exxon Chemical Company is bringing its new products to market much more quickly and cost-effectively. The university also benefitted from the alliance; its graduate students were exposed to the real world of engineering and its professors had access to real-time data that otherwise would have been impossible to obtain. In all, 18 NSF ERCs are providing just this kind of win-win situation: efficient technology transfer for companies and improved learning experiences for students and researchers.

“Helping small businesses. NSF’s alliances extend well beyond the Fortune 500. Through an NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, a small New Jersey company, Continuum Dynamics, is developing a novel system that eliminates CFC emission problems in air conditioning, a major cause of the depletion of the ozone layer. NSF introduced the SBIR program in 1977 and since then has made more than 4,500 SBIR awards totaling more than $250 million to some 600 firms.

“Launching startups. Building on research conducted at the NSF-sponsored Materials Research Laboratory at MIT in the mid-1980s, an MIT researcher founded American Superconductor Corporation in 1989. Today, the company has annual revenues of $3.2 million and 78 employees. It’s one of thousands of small businesses that have been nurtured by NSF.”

The brochure notes that for further information about NSF-Industry partnerships, contact the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs; External Affairs Section; NSF; 4201 Wilson Boulevard; Arlington, VA 22230. E-mail: external@nsf.gov