2009 APS March Meeting
Volume 54, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 16–20, 2009;
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Session T45: Funding Opportunities at NSF
5:45 PM–6:45 PM,
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Room: 316
Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.MAR.T45.1
Abstract: T45.00001 : Opportunities for Funding at NSF
5:45 PM–6:45 PM
Preview Abstract
Author:
Zakya H. Kafafi
(Director, Division of Materials Research, Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Science Foundation)
Materials science, inter- and multi-disciplinary in nature,
provides the bridge to many areas of fundamental and applied
sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics,
computer sciences, and engineering. Strong links that may exist
between materials science and other disciplines, such as biology
or chemistry or physics, very often lead to novel applications
and enable technologies of great benefit to our society.
The Division of Materials Research (DMR) invested \$274.0 M in FY
2008 and is estimated to invest \$324.6 M in FY 2009 funding
research and education as well as enabling tools & instrumentation
for individual investigators, groups, centers, and national
facilities. DMR programs cover a wide spectrum of materials
research and education ranging from condensed matter and
materials physics, solid-state and materials chemistry,
multifunctional, hybrid, electronic, photonic, metallic, ceramic,
polymeric, bio-materials, composites and nanostructures to list a
few.
New modes of funding, research opportunities and directions, such
as the recent SOLAR solicitation, will be described. This Solar
Energy Initiative launched jointly by three divisions, namely
Chemistry, Materials Research and Mathematical Science is aimed
at supporting truly interdisciplinary efforts that address the
scientific challenges of highly efficient harvesting, conversion,
and storage of solar energy. The goal of this new program is to
create a new modality of linking the mathematical with the
chemical and materials sciences to develop transformative
paradigms based on the integrated expertise and synergy from
three disciplinary communities.
DMR is also seeking new ways to transform materials science and
education, and make it more attractive as a career for bright,
young women & men. A description will be given of several
workshops held this year and planned for next year with this
purpose in mind. Outreach programs that emphasize how the
innovations resulting from materials research lead to a better
quality of life and improved economic development for people all
over the world will also be given. As science is becoming
increasingly global, DMR is particularly interested in preparing
students to be agile thinkers in this universal environment and
in forging collaborations and cooperation among scientists and
engineers around the world. Free movement of knowledge without
any obstacles can only be achieved through a more coordinated
approach for international collaboration. \\
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Following the presentation there will be a question-and-answer
period.
For additional information, visit the DMR Web page at
www.nsf.gov/materials
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.MAR.T45.1