News Item Dated: 17 January 2003
From: Industrial Physicist  (01/03) Vol. 8, No. 6, P. 22; Friedman, Jerome I.

MIT physics professor Jerome I. Friedman writes that the future of basic research, which forms the basis of innovation that significantly impacts society and the quality of life, may be in doubt. He cites Walter Brattain, who co-patented the transistor and noted that its creation stemmed from fundamental physics research, not from a conscious pursuit of a practical product. Friedman points out that the transistor's development relied on the convergence of basic research, applied research, and product development, which often overlap; a similar situation led to innovations such as magnetic resonance imaging, the Global Positioning System, and the World Wide Web.

However, increased global competition has prompted many of the companies that support basic research to slash their long-term research and development budgets, while the long development time for practical applications of basic research has made the public and politicians question its validity and downgrade its status as a national priority. Strong research universities play a key role in producing the future founders and workforce of knowledge-based companies that fuel innovation. To nurture creativity, Friedman recommends that pre-university schools of excellence and corporate- and government-sponsored educational programs be established; interdisciplinary research and risky projects be encouraged; young people be given a wide latitude in research; and innovators be recognized and rewarded.

Furthermore, the science and technology communities should address concerns about the perceived negative consequences of technological advancement. Although specific examples are hard to predict, Friedman confidently expects basic research to lead to significant breakthroughs in the fields of biotechnology, communication, artificial intelligence, materials, sensors, energy production, computation, miniaturization, and robotics.

Interested? For further reading, check out this link: http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-8/iss-6/p22.html