1
Introduction
Materials are important in the pursuit of virtually every human endeavor. Advances in materials are applied not only in advanced technological systems such as spacecraft, jet engines, computers, and telecommunications but also in a world of familiar applications that range from automobiles to floor coverings to fishing rods. Thus, materials are an enabling technology–that is, each improvement in materials increases the possibility for advancements in other fields of technology.
In a National Research Council study, Materials Science and Engineering for the 1990s, a detailed examination of the role of materials in eight U.S. industries that collectively employ more than 7 million people and have sales in excess of $1.4 trillion led to the conclusion that “materials science and engineering is crucial to the success of industries that are important to the strength of the U.S. economy and U.S. defense ” (NRC, 1989). Yet, as is widely known, the competitiveness of some U.S. manufacturing industries has declined alarmingly. For example, in 1972 the United States imported 14.8 percent of its automobiles (ORNL, 1991); by 1991 imports had increased to over 25 percent. In 1991, an additional 11 percent were foreign cars manufactured in the United States, and many of the remaining 64 percent had foreign content (ORNL, 1990; MVMA, 1991).
A previous report by the National Academy of Engineering stated the issue succinctly: “Rapid and efficient commercial embodiment of an idea in a product or service is an essential element of successful international competition” (NAE, 1988).
For instance, the commercial aircraft industry was able to be established in the United States in the 1950s partly because there already was a domestic aluminum industry. A strong aluminum industry enabled the rapid development of supersonic and commercial aircraft following World War II. Today the annual value of U.S. exports in commercial airframes is $44 billion. There presently is a trend toward the greater use of composite materials in airframes. As was earlier the case with aluminum, these materials are likely to be the foundation of the next generation of aircraft. Thus, the United States cannot afford to lose its momentum commercializing such important advanced materials as composites.
Several recent studies dealing with the competitive position of the United States were summarized by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP, 1991). Emerging or critical technologies have been identified by that office and by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense (DOC, 1990; DOD, 1990); the comparison is shown in Table 1-1. Advanced materials, synthesis and processing of materials, and manufacturing are emphasized in each of the case studies. Almost identical conclusions from these independently conducted studies lend credence to the widely held belief that materials are indeed a critical enabling technology.
The following chapters deal with definitions of advanced materials, the commercialization process, and the government's stake in it ( Chapter 2); the factors that affect commercialization of materials (Chapter 3); and strategies for overcoming commercialization barriers (Chapter 4).
TABLE 1-1 Comparison of Office of Science and Technology Policy National Critical Technologies With Department of Commerce Emerging Technologies and Department of Defense Critical Technologies
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National Critical Techologies (Office of Science and Technology Policy) |
Commerce Emerging Technologies (Department of Commerce) |
Defense Critical Technologies (Department of Defense) |
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MATERIALS
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} Advanced materials |
} Composite materials |
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MANUFACTURING
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
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BIOTECHNOLOGY AND LIFE SCIENCES
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AERONAUTICS AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
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ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
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Sources: (DOC, 1990; DOD, 1990; OSTP, 1991). |
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