SAMPE Journal -September/October 2011 - 60

3.3 Utopia We are the master of materials at the atomic level: • Huge computers, nano-mechanics, mature modeling , inspection/observation predict the properties of new materials and sophisticated manufacturing creates synthetic materials • Resulting outcomes: o Lightweight and very strong structures, o Space elevator o Tube plane – Mach 20+ o Any place in the world would be an hour away o Space exploration, interior (earth) exploration and exploration of the seas o No need for experiments – we’d know the outcome o Colonies on the moon • We would partner with everyone to bring them up to our level, • If it can be done, we will do it, • The US has the unique capability to bring utopia to reality • 3 things that would alter these outcomes: o Models – “design” o Computer systems – “evaluate” o Synthesis – “make” 4. Conclusion The participants agreed it is difficult to really anticipate the fate of materials development at the 20-year mark with any degree of accuracy. However, it is possible to anticipate the trends that will impact that development. What was recognized most strongly and frequently reiterated during the forum is the advanced materials industry has a need for a strong industry voice. The foundational role of advanced materials in the acceleration of global economic growth is generally not recognized at the level of federal government, industry or the public-at-large. Unless this message is heard there will continue to be a shortfall in the needed disciplines in the coming two decades. Federal funding will likely address surface issues with no real understanding or support of the core technologies required to spur technological growth. Industry will continue to concentrate on incremental improvements in existing technologies in a process dubbed “death by stage gate” by the participants. The need for skilled professionals entering the advanced materials industry will go largely unmet due to the lack of public awareness of the foundational importance and “cool factor” of advanced materials. The varied team of industry professionals who participated in the SAMPE Materials Forecast Forum have volunteered to continue working together to determine how we can lead the industry in finding its clarion voice in informing government, industry and the public of the need to recognize the importance of advanced materials to global prosperity. SAMPE would like to thank the following individuals for volunteering their personal and professional time and resources to participate in the SAMPE Materials Forecast Forum: • Wade Adams - Director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice University • Paul Citron - Retired in 2003 as Vice President of Technology Policy and Academic Relations at Medtronic, Inc., where he was previously Vice President of Science and Technology • Robert Finocchiaro - Director of 3M Corporate R&D Services, responsible for New Product Development and Commercialization and Open Innovation on a global basis • Gary Fischman - Principal and owner of Future Strategy Solutions and former Director of the National Materials Advisory Board (NMAB) at the National Academies • Bruce Gnade - Vice President for Research and the Distinguished Chair in Microelectronics at the University of Texas at Dallas • John Graham - President and Chief Executive Officer of ASAE • Martin Green - Leader of the Functional Properties Group of the Materials Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and former President of the Materials Research Society (MRS)
60 SAMPE Journal, Volume 47, No. 5, September/October 2011
SAMPE Journal -September/October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal -September/October 2011
