Leadership in innovation is essential to U.S. prosperity and security. In a global,
knowledge-driven economy, technological innovation—the transformation of new
knowledge into products, processes, and services of value to society—is critical to
competitiveness, long-term productivity growth, and an improved quality of life.
Preeminence in technological innovation depends on a wide array of factors, one
of which is leadership in engineering research, education, and practice. A threedecade-
long decline in the share of federal investment in research and development
devoted to engineering and a perceived erosion of basic, long-term engineering
research capability in U.S. industry and federal laboratories have raised serious questions
about the long-term health of engineering research in the United States. This
book illustrates the critical role of engineering research in maintaining U.S. technological
leadership; documents major challenges and opportunities facing the U.S.
engineering research enterprise; and offers specific recommendations for leaders in
federal and state government, industry, and universities to help strengthen U.S.
engineering research in the face of intensifying global competition.
Table of Contents


Front Matter
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ENGINEERING RESEARCH: THE ENGINE OF INNOVATION
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
COMMITTEE BIOGRAPHIES