Materials Research is Big Science

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Materials Research is Big Science We are ail well aware of the "Big Science" projects now being undertaken in the United States and the "big price tags" attached to them. Projects such as the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC), the orbiting space station and elucidation of the human génome capture the imagination of congressional leaders and the gênerai public, generating wide support. This support arises from the still strong belief that science will provide an endless stream of exciting discoveries leading to insight into the nature of our physical universe and ultimately to a better life for ail. MRS members, with a large store of curiosity which drove them to be scientists in the first place, as a group are probably even more enthusiastic than the average public about thèse projects. And perhaps we believe as individuals that thèse projects will benefit our own research programs with numerous new materials problems that will yield to our efforts, given enough rime and a "slice of the forthcoming funding pie." This may indeed be true as funding in thèse areas expand to take up some of the slack created by the looming cutbacks in defense-oriented research. I for one also believe that it is important for our "national phsyche" to pursue thèse projects. But there are others who express concern that thèse "Big Science" projects will take too much from the "Small Science" programs most familiar to the MRS community. Foremost in this group is Rustum Roy, former MRS Councillor and Président, who outspokenly présents évidence that large projects are already diverting funds from many materials science efforts in the current highly compétitive funding environment. One need only talk to our académie friends to realize that funding in materials science has taken a turn for the worse and that "Big Science" is certainly a factor. However, I believe that another factor is coming into play and that is the apparent inability of materials scientists to effectively make the case for funding of materials science as "Big Science." Funding for materials science, or what falls under the umbrella of materials science, is already a huge item in the fédéral budget, approximately $1.1 billion. But the appropriation of this money is highly fragmented, and the potential impact of the research being funded is virtuaUy unknown to the public. Materials scientists — as individuals and a

MRS BULLETIN/AUGUST1990

community — need to learn how to présent their case for research funding more effectively, making clear to the public the value of investing in materials research.

Materials scientists—as individuals and a community—need to learn how to présent their case for research funding more effectively, making clear to the public the value of investing in materials research. That we hâve not done this is surprising to me because it seems that the case for funding materials science is as strong — maybe stronger — than the argument for funding the array of classic "Big Science" projects. Thèse projects promise future benefits to mankind often in

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