Bioinspired Chemistry for Energy: A Workshop Summary to the Chemical Sciences Roundtable (2008)

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Appendix E Origin of and Information on the Chemical Sciences Roundtable In April 1994 the American Chemical Society (ACS) The mission of the Chemical Sciences Roundtable is held an Interactive Presidential Colloquium entitled “Shap- to provide a science-oriented, apolitical forum to enhance ing the Future: The Chemical Research Environment in the understanding of the critical issues in chemical science and Next Century.” The report from this colloquium identified technology affecting the government, industrial, and aca- several objectives, including the need to ensure communica- demic sectors. To support this mission the Chemical Sciences tion on key issues among government, industry, and univer- Roundtable will do the following: sity representatives. The rapidly changing environment in the United States for science and technology has created a • Identify topics of importance to the chemical number of stresses on the chemical enterprise. The stresses science and technology community by holding periodic are particularly important with regard to the chemical discussions and presentations, and gathering input from the industry, which is a major segment of U.S. industry; makes broadest possible set of constituencies involved in chemical a strong, positive contribution to the U.S. balance of trade; science and technology. and provides major employment opportunities for a technical • Organize workshops and symposiums and publish workforce. A neutral and credible forum for communica- reports on topics important to the continuing health and tion among all segments of the enterprise could enhance the advancement of chemical science and technology. future well-being of chemical science and technology. • Disseminate information and knowledge gained in After the report was issued, a formal request for such a the workshops and reports to the chemical science and tech- roundtable activity was transmitted to Dr. Bruce M. Alberts, nology community through discussions with, presentations chairman of the National Research Council (NRC), by the to, and engagement of other forums and organizations. Federal Interagency Chemistry Representatives, an informal • Bring topics deserving further in-depth study to organization of representatives from the various federal gov- the attention of the NRC’s Board on Chemical Sciences and ernment agencies that support chemical research. As part of Technology. The roundtable itself will not attempt to resolve the NRC, the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology the issues and problems that it identifies—it will make no (BCST) can provide an intellectual focus on issues and fun- recommendations, nor provide any specific guidance. Rather, damentals of science and technology across the broad fields the goal of the roundtable is to ensure a full and meaningful of chemistry and chemical engineering. In the winter of 1996 discussion of the identified topics so that the participants in Dr. Alberts asked BCST to establish the Chemical Sciences the workshops and the community as a whole can determine Roundtable to provide a mechanism for initiating and main- the best courses of action. taining the dialogue envisioned in the ACS report.  American Chemical Society. Shaping the Future: The Chemical Research Environment in the Next Century. American Chemical Society Report from the Interactive Presidential Colloquium, April 7-9, 1994, Washington, D.C. 55