The Future of U.S. Chemistry Research: Benchmarks and Challenges

160 Pages·2007·0.7 MB·English

by  Committee on Benchmarking the Research Competitiveness

Committee on Benchmarking the Research Competitiveness
of the United States in Chemistry
Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Division on Earth and Life Studies
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
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This study was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant CTS-
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COMMITTEE ON BENCHMARKING THE RESEARCH
COMPETITIVENESS OF THE UNITED STATES IN CHEMISTRY
Chairperson
Charles P. Casey, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Members
Joanna Aizenberg, Bell Laboratories, Alcatel-Lucent, Murray Hill, NJ
Paul S. Anderson, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (retired), Lansdale, PA
Louis E. Brus, Columbia University, New York, NY
Sylvia T. Ceyer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Gregory R. Choppin, Florida State University (emeritus), Tallahassee
Catherine C. Fenselau, University of Maryland, College Park
Joanna S. Fowler, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Joseph S. Francisco, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Timothy E. Long, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg
Tobin J. Marks, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Michele Parrinello, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Chi-Huey Wong, Academia Sinica (Taiwan) and Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, CA
Staff
Albert Epshteyn, Christine Mirzayan Graduate Fellow (January-March
2007)
Tina M. Masciangioli, Program Oficer
Kela Masters, Project Assistant
Ericka McGowan, Associate Program Oficer
Federico San Martini, Program Oficer
José Zambrana, Christine Mirzayan Graduate Fellow (June-August 2006)
Dorothy Zolandz, Director, Board on Chemical Sciences and
Technology
v
BOARD ON CHEMICAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
Chairpersons
Elsa Reichmanis, Alcatel-Lucent, Murray Hill, NJ
F. Fleming Crim, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Members
Paul T. Anastas, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Gary S. Calabrese, Rohm & Haas Company, Philadelphia, PA
Jean De Graeve, Université de Liège, Belgium
Pablo G. Debenedetti, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Miles P. Drake, Weyerhauser Company, Federal Way, WA
George W. Flynn, Columbia University, New York, NY
Mauricio Futran, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ
Paula T. Hammond, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Cambridge
Robert Hwang, Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM
Jay V. Ihlenfeld, 3M Research & Development, St. Paul, MN
James L. Kinsey, Rice University, Houston, TX
Martha A. Krebs, California Energy Commission, Sacramento
Charles T. Kresge, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
Scott J. Miller, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Gerald V. Poje, Independent Consultant, Vienna, VA
Donald Prosnitz, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory,
Livermore, CA
Matthew V. Tirrell, University of California, Santa Barbara
National Research Council Staff
Tina M. Masciangioli, Program Oficer
Kela Masters, Project Assistant
Ericka M. McGowan, Associate Program Oficer
Sybil A. Paige, Administrative Associate
Jessica L. Pullen, Research Assistant
Federico San Martini, Program Oficer
Dorothy Zolandz, Director
vi
Acknowledgment of Reviewers
This report has been reviewed in draft form by persons chosen for their
diverse perspectives and technical expertise in accordance with procedures
approved by the National Research Council’s Report Review Committee.
The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical
comments that will assist the institution in making the published report
as sound as possible and to ensure that it meets institutional standards of
objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review
comments and draft manuscript remain conidential to protect the integrity
of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for
their review of this report:
Dr. Andreas Manz, ISAS—Institute for Analytical Sciences, Dortmund,
Germany
Dr. John M. Campbell, Sr., (Retired President and CEO, Campbell
Companies), Norman, OK
Dr. Catherine E. Costello, Boston University School of Medicine,
Boston, MA
Dr. Miles P. Drake, Weyerhaeuser Company, Allentown, PA
Dr. Erick M. Carreira, ETH Hönggerberg, Zürich, Switzerland
Dr. Lloyd M. Robeson, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.,
Allentown, PA
Dr. Mark S. Wrighton, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO
Dr. William A. Lester, Jr., University of California, Berkeley, CA
Dr. Gordon Brown, Stanford University, Pasadena, CA
vii
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REVIEWERS
Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive com-
ments and suggestions, they did not see the inal draft of the report be-
fore its release. The review was overseen by Dr. Maxine Savitz, retired,
General Manager, Technology/Partnerships Honeywell Inc, appointed by
the National Research Council and Dr. C. Bradley Moore, Northwestern
University, appointed by the Division on Earth and Life Studies, who was
responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this
report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that
all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the inal
content of this report rests entirely with the authors and the institution.
Contents
Summary 1
1 Why Benchmark the Research Competitiveness of U.S. Chemistry
Now? 7
The Rising Above the Gathering Storm Report, 7
Timeliness of Benchmarking Chemistry, 8
Panel Charge and Rationale, 9
2 Key Characteristics of U.S. Chemistry Research 13
What Is Chemistry Research?, 14
What Key Factors Characterize Chemistry Research?, 14
How Important Is It for the United States to Lead in Chemistry
R esearch?, 16
What Are Some Caveats?, 19
3 Current Research Leadership Position 20
Approach, 20
Journal Article Contributions, 21
Journal Article Citations, 28
Other Measures of Leadership, 38
Assessment of Leadership in Specialized Areas of Chemistry, 40
Summary, 68
ix
x THE FUTURE OF U.S. CHEMISTRY
4 Key Factors Influencing Leadership 70
National Imperatives, 70
Innovation, 71
Scientiic Culture, 74
Centers and Major Facilities, 78
Human Resources, 84
R&D Funding, 96
Summary, 108
Appendix, 110
5 Likely Future Position: Increasing Challenges to U.S. Leadership
in Chemistry 113
U.S. Leadership in Chemistry, 113
U.S. Leadership in Areas of Chemistry, 119
Summary, 123
Appendixes
A Statement of Task 127
B Panel Biographical Information 128
C Journal Analysis 132
D Virtual World Congress 137