APPENDIX B
Statement of Task
The charge to the Committee on Developing a Federal Materials Facilities Strategy is given below.
The study will explore possible strategies to address changing patterns of use of materials research facilities (i.e., facilities that provide synchrotron radiation, neutron beams, and high-magnetic-field environments for investigations in science and technology) and the implications for evolution in the roles of agencies that support research in the relevant areas of science. These strategies would address several objectives: (1) provide a systematic government-wide approach for exploiting materials research facilities in a coordinated and efficient manner; (2) take into account the particular roles and responsibilities of the various agencies involved; (3) consider evolving scientific and technological needs, international changes, and budgetary forces. In the area of scientific and technological needs, particular attention would be given to ways to provide effective support by the facilities and their personnel for the non-expert user community and effective support by federal agencies of the facilities and the research teams and individuals that use the facilities. Ways to identify and educate emerging user communities would be identified.