#### **[An Assessment Report]{.smallcaps}**

##### **under the**

###### **Government Performance and Results Act**

##### **of the**

**Fiscal-Year 2001 Portfolio of Activities**

**Directorate for the Mathematical and Physical Sciences**

##### **by the**

###### **Advisory Committee of the Directorate for the** 

###### **Mathematical and Physical Sciences**

**November 28, 2001**

####### TABLE OF CONTENTS

[Page]{.underline}

A. The role of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate in
support of 1

> research and education, the Mission of the NSF and the NSF's Strategic
>
> Outcome Goals

B. Executive Summary of Assessment Report 2

C. Assessment Methodology 3

D. Assessment of Performance in Achieving Strategic Outcome Goals

**PEOPLE** Strategic Outcome 4

1.  *Indicator 1* -- Improved mathematics, science and technology skills

> *Indicator 2* -- Sciences, technology and instructional workforce that
>
> reflect America's diversity
>
> *Indicator 3* -- Globally equipped science and engineering
> professionals
>
> *Indicator 4* -- A public that is provided access to the benefits of
> science
>
> and engineering research and education

**IDEAS** Strategic Outcome 7

2.  *Indicator 1* -- A robust and growing fundamental knowledge base

> *Indicator 2* -- Discoveries that advance the frontiers of science,
> engineering and technology
>
> *Indicator 3* -- Partnerships connecting discovery to innovation,
> learning and societal advancement
>
> *Indicator 4* -- Research and education processes that are synergistic

**TOOLS** Strategic Outcome 10

3.  *Indicator 1* -- Shared-use platforms, facilities and instruments,
    and databases

> *Indicator 2* -- Networking and connectivity that take full advantage
> of the internet... and make technology information available to all
> citizens
>
> *Indicator 3* -- Information and policy analysis that contribute to
> the effective use of science and engineering resources

E. Merit Review Performance Goals

F. Other Issues

> **A.**
>
> **The Role of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate in
> support of research and education, the mission of NSF and the NSF's
> strategic outcome goals.**

The Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) Supports a
robust and wide-ranging portfolio of research and educational activities
in astronomy, chemistry, materials research, mathematics and physics.
The work supported by the Directorate gives the NSF a leading role in
the Nation in promoting the progress of science. The purpose of this
work is both to deepen our understanding of the physical Universe and to
use that understanding in service to society as a means of intellectual
enrichment and as a well spring to future economic development and, in
so doing, to enable the Directorate to address the NSF's missions to
"advance the national health, prosperity and welfare...". Not only is
the significance of the work supported by MPS enhanced through its
seeding of activities beyond the basic research community, but in some
areas of science and technology, the direct impact of the work supported
by MPS can be pivotal to an entire discipline. For example, the Division
of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) provides over 65 percent of Federal
academic investments in the Mathematical sciences; the Division of
Physics has major responsibility for the University sector of the
Physics Community; and NSF is the lead federal agency for the support of
ground-based astronomy. There is little question but that MPS has impact
in promoting the progress of science that far exceeds that expected from
limited resources.

In addition to the single investigator grants, the directorate places a
high priority on multidisciplinary work and on partnerships. Within MPS,
the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities serves as a catalyst in
emerging areas of research and education at disciplinary boundaries.
International partnerships are critical in the work MPS supports,
especially astronomy, physics, and materials research, all of which
require large facilities in order to carry out state-of-the-art
research. A critical objective of MPS is world leadership in the science
MPS supports and there are numerous instances of Nobel Prizes and other
marks of distinction such as the National Medal of Science and the
Fields Medal, awarded to MPS-supported investigators. Postdoctoral
training, Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) sites, Research
at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI), graduate student trainee-ships,
national facilities and centers, partnerships with the Directorate for
Education and Human Resources (EHR), and workshops and conferences are
means through which the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical
Sciences helps develop the nation's next generation of scientists and
engineers. Impact on the teachers of science is achieved through the
Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program.

MPS investments show good balance among the three strategic outcomes,
with at least \$250 million expended annually on Graduate and
Post-Doctoral training -- a substantial investment in the PEOPLE
strategic outcome.

**B.**

> **Executive summary**

The portfolio of activities of the Directorate for the Mathematical and
Physical Sciences for FY2001 has an impact on the progress of science
that exceeds every reasonable expectation based on the level of funding
that supports these activities. This favorable situation is clearly
reflective of the wisdom of the Directorate's implementation of the
strategy of "invest(ing) in the best ideas from the most capable
people." Indeed, this strategy is appropriately the keystone of the
Directorate's investments. This exemplary achievement is as much a
result of the outstanding leadership provided by the Office of the
Assistant Director, the Division Directors and Program Officers as it is
a result of the excellent stewardship in implementing the Foundation's
investment strategy. The establishment of the Office of
Multidisciplinary Activities, its placement in the Office of the
Assistant Director and its continuing pivotal role is but one example,
but clearly a very outstanding and innovative one, of the Directorate
positioning itself to identify and support unmet and unanticipated
opportunities. The Directorate has been dauntless in pursuit of the
difficultly achieved People strategic outcome goal and has made
significant progress through partnerships and innovative programs in the
integration of education and research. Indeed, the Directorate has been
assessed as SUCCESSFUL for all indicators related to the strategic
performance goals of PEOPLE, IDEAS AND TOOLS.

This exemplary performance of the Directorate has not been achieved,
however, in the absence of some stress; and the Directorate is faced
with three significant challenges. First, there is the challenge of
unmet needs and lost opportunities in promoting the progress of science
due to inadequate funds. With such outstanding performance in
implementing NSF's investment strategies, one might have expected that
the first challenge could be met by simply increasing the funds
available for project support. Such is not the case. The Directorate
staff is seriously overworked; maintaining the current quality of
stewardship in the Directorate's investments even at existing
expenditure levels requires additional staff. The third challenge is
related to the PEOPLE strategic performance goal: In monitoring and
evaluating its performance in achieving the goal for investments in
PEOPLE, the Directorate is largely dependent on anecdotal information,
with deficits in both the systematics and timeliness of the information.
There are institutional, NSF-wide barriers and limitations due to
current practices and staffing issues that hinder progress in further
achievements of this strategic goal. The U.S. Commission on National
Security/21^st^ Century in its Phase III report, "Road Map for National
Security: Imperative for Change", emphasized the pivotal importance in
"Recapitalizing America's Strength in Science and Education" of these
two aspects of the scientific and technological workforce: Those who are
members of the workforce implementing the Nation's scientific and
technological enterprises and those who exercise stewardship
responsibilities and vision for the workforce and scientific enterprise.
Addressing these issues in the Directorate for the Mathematical and
Physical Sciences might be an appropriate first step for the NSF to take
in accepting the leadership role envisaged for it in the "Hart-Rudman "
report.

**C.**

######## **Assessment methodology**

The Advisory Committee of the Directorate for the Mathematical and
Physical Sciences (MPSAC) was provided with the Directorate's
self-assessment of its performance for FY2001("GPRA FY2001 Report"), NSF
FY2001 GPRA Final Revised Performance Plan, NSF GPRA Strategic Plan
FY2001-2006, Committee of Visitors (COV) Reports for FY1998-2000 for the
Chemistry Division and the Division of Mathematical Sciences and the
Directorate's responses to these CIV reports.

In addition to these written documents, the MPSAC received extensive
oral reviews of the activities of the Division of Materials Research,
and the Division of Astronomical Sciences. On the first day of the MPSAC
meeting, extensive discussions of several hours duration were held by
selected groups of the MPSAC with each of the Divisions of the
Directorate. The Directorate's response to a request from the MPSAC at
the close of its April 2001 meeting resulted in marked changes in the
format of the MPSAC meeting: One of these changes was presentations by
each of the 5 divisions of the Directorate and the Office of
Multidisciplinary Activities for all of the new (and any returning)
members of the MPSAC. This activity permitted the new members to play a
much greater role during their first meeting in the advisory and GPRA
assessment processes than in the past.

In arriving at its assessment of the Directorate's performance in
achieving significant progress in meeting the three Strategic Outcome
goals, the MPSAC was led in its deliberations by "Lead Discussants" for
each of the Strategic Outcome Goals. New members participated fully
represented among the "Lead Discussants." Following full Committee
discussions, the rating of the Directorate's performance relative to
NSF's Outcome Goals was based on a concensus by the whole committee. All
assessment ratings were unanimously endorsed by the MPSAC.

**PEOPLE**

**Overall Assessment: Successful**

MPS is committed to leveraging the NSF scientific research investment to
promote greater scientific literacy, at all levels of the educational
system and in the general public. MPS has made outstanding contributions
to linking research and education and has directed programs and
resources in an effective way to support the educational component of
its mission. These contributions have been made despite considerable
difficulty in maintaining a full complement of professional staff in all
Divisions within MPS. We rate the overall effort as "Successful."

All of the MPS supported projects in the Directorate's GPRA
self-assessment were determined to be exemplary. The examples treated in
detail for each of the indocators have been chosen as illustrative of
the breadth and depth of these activities.

######### Indicator 1

**"Improved mathematics, science and technology skills for US students
at the K-12 level and for citizens of all ages so that they can be
competitive in a modern democratic society"**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

MPS has extended its traditional focus on educating the next generation
of scientists to supporting initiatives that will integrate research and
education to improve K-14 education for all students. MPS offers
incentives to research scientists to explore new ways of partnering with
K-14 educators and professionals in public institutions and professional
societies. The goal of these incentives is to develop new ways of
broadening understanding of science and technology. All proposals
submitted to NSF must address the question of the broader impact of the
proposed research and MPS is taking steps to make sure that program
officers and reviewers are fully cognizant of this requirement. Programs
such as the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) increase
collaboration between science teachers and researchers in all MPS
disciplines. Many of these teachers and researchers report benefits both
in terms of personal growth and knowledge as well as effective
innovations in their classrooms.

While the MPSAC applauds these partnerships and acknowledges the value
of the anecdotal evidence as to the benefits of these activities, we
also recognize that more attention and resources will be needed in order
to determine the specific impacts on both teachers and students. Such
quantitative data is difficult and expensive to collect, but we stress
the value of making further efforts in this area. We recommend that MPS
fully explore the possibility of close collaboration with the
Directorate for Education and Human Resources in this documentation
process.

######### Indicator 2

> **"A science and technology workforce that reflects America's
> diversity"**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

MPS has made significant efforts to recruit students into science from
minority groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in science
and engineering. Data from Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU)
sites indicate that almost half of the internships in 2000-2001 were
awarded to women and 20% to minority applicants. Moreover, targeted
program such as COACh (the Committee on the Advancement of Women
Chemists) and ADVANCE (Increasing the Participating and Advancement of
Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers) increase the
opportunities for women to act as role models in higher education
institutions. The former program sets up mentoring for women in tenured
faculty positions, while the latter offers support for institutional
transformation grants which seek to ensure fuller participation and
advancement of women faculty in science and engineering. ADVANCE awards
are part of a comprehensive effort undertaken by the Foundation to
diversify the scientific work force. The intent is that the activities
undertaken by these institutions will become models that may be
replicated in institutions throughout the nation.

At the graduate level, the Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Training (IGERT) program reflects collaboration between NSF directorates
to broaden the training of graduate students by expanding
interdisciplinary programs and providing incentives to recruit US
scholars with diverse backgrounds and educational experiences.

MPSAC commends the MPS Office for Multidisciplinary Affairs (OMA) for
supporting innovative initiatives that encourage scientists and
educators to investigate the barriers to success for candidates with
diverse backgrounds. The committee also recognizes the progress made by
the Division of Materials research in tabulating data on the diversity
of participants in the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
(MRSEC) network. Data have been collected on both faculty and students
participants in various center activities, ranging from basic research
projects to summer internship experiences. Clear increases in the number
of under-represented groups is indicated by this data, demonstrating the
positive change that is resulting from MPS policies and programs.

The Research Sites for Excellence in Chemistry (RSEC) bring together
faculty at undergraduate institutions that have more diverse faculty and
student populations with faculty at major research institutions. The
MPSAC recommends close attention to the pattern of research and
education awards, such as those in CAREER (Faculty Early Career
Development Program), to ensure appropriate support to undergraduate
colleges and research schools which traditionally serve minority
populations. These institutions graduate a significant number of
students at the undergraduate level that make up approximately half of
the graduate student population of Tier 1 professional programs in
science and technology.

***Indicator 3***

> **"Globally engaged science and engineering professionals who are
> among the best in the world"**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

MPSAC congratulates the MPS awardees who have earned major distinction
in 2000. Nobel Prize winners Alan Heeger (University of California,
Santa Barbara) and Alan McDiarmid (University of Pennsylvania) have both
been MPS grantees (DMR -- 9730126, CHE-7702207). Henry Glyde (University
of Delaware, DMR-9972011) received the John Wheatley Award and Terrence
Langdon at the University of Southern California (DMR-0093011)was
awarded the Henry Marion Howe Medal by ASM International.

MPS has increased its support for interaction between US scientists with
their counterparts overseas and introduced a new program of awards for
postdoctoral fellowships abroad and for partnerships with the European
Economic Community. The Division of Materials Research has co-sponsored
a series of workshops in different regions of the world, including
Africa and South America, with the goal of identifying specific areas
and future directions for cooperation between US and foreign
investigators in materials research and education. We also note the
success of 5 MPS scientists who have been recognized for excellence in
both research and education. in the first round of the NSF Director's
Awards for Distinguished Teaching Scholars.

MPSAC commends MPS on these developments and urges the directorate to
continue to recruit US scholars into graduate and post doctoral
opportunities at overseas sites. More effort to support international
communication on curricular content and assessment standards in science
education should also be supported.

######### Indicator 4

> **"A public that is provided access to the benefits of science and
> engineering research and education"**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

MPS has recently completed the first round of the Informal Public
Science Education (IPSE) program, which encourages joint investment by
research scientists and museum professionals to find new ways of
highlighting the wealth of advances in science and technology so that
the public can better understand their impact on society. One striking
example is the exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC,
entitled *Exploring the Universe .*(AST-0083463). MPS divisions have
supported several Web sites that welcome the average browser to find out
about cutting edge research, e.g. the Macrogalleria, a pioneering
educational polymer web site at the University of Southern Mississippi
(DMR-9950760). Various Digital Libraries in development promise to bring
a wealth of resources to students and teachers at all levels of the
educational system.

MPSAC advocates more cross directorate discussion at NSF so that these
resources are disseminated to the appropriate communities, institutions
and professional societies.

**IDEAS**

**Overall assessment: Successful**

Overall, a number of programs initiated within the MPS Directorate which
were well received by the scientific community and are starting to pay
dividends and returns. The tradition of long term excellence in basic
research supported by MPS has resulted in several highly visible awards
given to researchers who have been supported by the MPS over a long
period of time. These include two of the three Nobel Laureates in
Chemistry (Alan Heeger of UCSB and Alan G. MacDiamid of U. Penn.), one
of three Nobel Laureates in Physics (Herbert Kroemer of UCSB), two
recipients of the National Medal of Science (John D. Baldeschwieler and
Jeremiah P. Ostriker), the Henry Draper Medal for 2001 of the NAS (R.
Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington and Geoffrey W.
Marcy of UC Berkeley), and the 2000 Founders Award of the NAE (Charles
Townes).

We judge that the MPS Directorate, in the aggregate, has demonstrated
significant achievement for all four of the indicators for significant
achievement under the IDEAS Strategic Outcome. Each of the activities
supported by MPS and described in its self-assessment GPRA Report was
judged to be exemplary; we shall give some representative supporting
examples in the following discussion.

######### Indicator 1

> **A robust and growing fundamental knowledge base that enhances
> progress in all science and engineering areas including the science of
> learning.**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

\- Three examples illustrate the contributions of MPS supported research
on quantum computing. It has been demonstrated that macroscopic quantum
coherent oscillations between two states can be maintained over many
cycles before losing coherence: The first demonstration of a
prerequisite to physical realization of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum
computing \[DMR-9876874\]. Also, research has been initiated on the
interplay of electron-electron correlation and quantum interference in
nanostructures \[DMR-0103003\]. New quantum states such as single
electron transistors, quantum dots are being studied as to their
fundamental physics and also their manipulations for sensor and memory
applications \[DMR-0071631\].

\- Two examples illustrate the importance of developing
interdisciplinary mathematics and computational simulation techniques.
New wavelet based analytical techniques provide better error decay for
bit allocation image coding and compression \[DMS-9872890\]. The most
detailed computational modeling ever performed on simulating giant waves
in newborn neutron stars was successfully carried out, yielding a clear
signature for LIGO based searches in trying to detect gravity waves for
the first time in history (\[PHY-9796079, PHY-9900776, PHY-9907949\],
AST-0731698, AST-9987344\]).

\- Several examples illustrate advances in fundamental physics.
Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) explosions have been shown to resemble
supernova \[PHY-9512150\] and BEC macroscopic vortices have been shown
to be a manifestation of their quantum fluid behavior. Short range tests
of Newton\'s inverse square law for gravity based on string theory
predictions are also being conducted \[PHY-9970987\].

######### Indicator 2

> **Discoveries that advance the frontiers of science, engineering, and
> technology**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

\- In science, creation as well as discovery is an important component,
as well as strong connection between research results and industrial
utility. An example is the development of catalysts for the activation
of hydrogen peroxide in water for *green* oxidation processes that might
replace environmentally nocuous chlorine-based processes, with potential
applications in textile, paper and laundry industries \[CHE-9612990\].

\- Several examples illustrate the importance of the physical sciences
to the bio-medical sciences. A new arrayed method for detection of DNA
sequences using nanparticle probes is being developed, with potential
applications to anthrax detection \[CHE-9871903\]. Mathematical
conformal mapping algorithms and other geometric ideas are being used to
map brain functions \[DMS-0125000, DMS-0101324\].

\- Extra solar planets, three quarters the mass of Jupiter, have been
discovered, the first with two planets in circular orbits, and at
distances that make the planetary system similar to our own
\[AST-9988087, AST-9988358\].

######### Indicator 3

> **Partnerships connecting discovery to innovation, learning, and
> societal advancement**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

MPS has been an important partner to several national science and
technology research initiatives. Several examples illustrate this
synergy.

\- Under the Information Technology Research initiative, DMS supported
researchers including a topologist, a statistician and a psychologist
have developed flexible topological methods for the analysis of large
data sets \[DMS-0101364, DMS-0104162, DMS-0072360, DMS-0072569\].

\- Under the Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, DMR supported
researchers have made use of the hierarchical self-assembly of proteins
and lipids to create a three-layer membrane of nanostructured tubules
for chemical and drug delivery \[DMS-0080034\].

\- Under the Biocomplexity initiative, DMS-supported researchers, are
developing numerical techniques for the simulation of ocean circulation,
with the ultimate goal of understanding the global climate system
\[DMS-9803331\].

\- DMR supported researchers are developing new
hydroxyapatite/biopolymer composites and determining the influence of
deposition conditions on chemical and physical characteristics of
electrolytically produced calcium phosphate coatings for implants
\[DMR-9972587\].

\- It should be noted that two DMS programs (GOALI and IGMS), designed
to promote cross-disciplinary research, are under-subscribed and could
be publicized more. One IGMS supported researcher is developing Monte
Carlo methods for inverse problems arising in laser technology
\[DMS-0075117\].

######### Indicator 4

> **Research and education processes that are synergistic**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

\- Education plays an essential role in all aspects of MPS funded
research, from individual PI grants, to large centers and institute
grants, and in several specific programs designed to promote the
interaction of research and education.

\- Much of MPS funding is for the education and training of postdoctoral
and graduate students. Undergraduate research students benefit as well
from this training. In many cases, postdocs, graduate students, and
undergraduates are part of an integrated research team. An excellent
example of this is the VIGRE program in DMS, which explicitly calls for
a vertical integration of research and education in the mathematical
sciences.

\- The CAREER Awards program explicitly calls for an integration of
research and education for young academic researchers.

\- The REU and RET programs aim to promote a research experience for
undergraduates and K-12 teachers.

\- MRSEC\'s, and the DMS-funded Math institutes, all have mandates to
promote education within a research context.

**TOOLS**

**Overall Assessment: Successful**

The Mathematical and Physical Sciences Advisory Committee (MPSAC)
determined that for the period of FY2001, the divisions within the
Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences were successful in
providing "broadly accessible, state-of-the-art information-bases and
shared research and education tools."

All of the MPS-supported projects in the Directorate's GPRA
self-assessment were determined to be exemplary. The examples treated in
detail for each indicator have been selected to illustrate the general
character of these investments.

*Indicator 1*

Shared-use platforms, facilities, instruments, and databases that enable
discovery and enhance the productivity and effectiveness of the science
and engineering workforce.

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

*Astronomy*

The national astronomy facilities consisting of the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the
National Solar Observatory, the National Astronomy and Ionospheric
Center and Gemini Observatories provide access to a broad scientific
community on the basis of scientific merit review. Each facility
provides unique capabilities enhancing the research of over 2400
scientists and their students of whom over half were pursuing their
doctorates. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), which will bring
aperture synthesis techniques to radio astronomy, is in the last year of
design and development prior to project construction involving an equal
U.S.-European partnership.

# *Mathematics*

The major-shared facilities of the mathematics communities are the
research institutes \-- Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
(DMS-9810361), Institute for Mathematics and its Applications
(DMS-9810289) and the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics
9810282). These institutes play an integral role in creating
opportunities for communication among mathematicians and between
mathematicians and the larger scientific communities. The institutes
also provide databases, internet use, streaming video and other elements
that enhance the capability of the mathematical, scientific and
engineering workforce. High school teachers and students use the web
sites, which also serve as a resource for mathematics departments
without a computing infrastructure.

## *Chemistry*

The Division of Chemistry supports the development of a synchrotron beam
line facility through the National Chemistry and Materials Synchrotron
Research Facility (ChemMatCARS, CHE-0087817). The facility, supported
jointly by NSF and the Office of Basic Energy Sciences at the Department
of Energy, analyzes extremely small single crystals, which are not
possible with a laboratory based x-ray source and necessary for
materials chemistry in nanotechnology.

## *Materials*

The major-shared facilities include the National High Magnetic Field
Laboratory (NHMFL, DMR-0084173), Center for High Resolution Neutron
Scattering (CHRNS, DMR-9986442 and DMR-0086210), Cornell High Energy
Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (CHESS, DMR-9713424), Synchrotron
Radiation Center (SRC, DMR-0084402, DMR-9531009), National
Nanofabrication Users Network (NUNN, DMR-9731293 and DMR-9731294). Each
of the foregoing facilities operates to enhance the productivity and
effectiveness of scientists and engineers in a wide range of
disciplines. For example, the NHMFL is operated by a consortium composed
of the University of Florida, Florida State University and Los Alamos
National Laboratory and NHMFL has established itself as the world's
leading center for multidisciplinary research using high magnetic
fields. For nanofabrication, NUNN aids scientists, engineers and
educators to develop prototype structures, devices and systems at the
nanoscale level, which impacts the fields of biology, chemistry,
physics, magnetics, materials and optics.

*Indicator 2*

Networking and connectivity that take full advantage of the Internet and
make science, mathematics, engineering and technology information
available to all citizens.

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

*Astronomy*

The astronomical sciences community has been served by the creation of
databases which are available through the web as exemplified by the
Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (AST-9820314), the Galactic
Ring Survey (AST-9800334), and the Virgina Tech Spectral-line Survey
(AST-9800476). In addition, the Gemini telescopes located at Cerro
Pachon in Chile and Mauna Kea in Hawaii have been connected via the
internet to allow researchers, as well as the public, to use the
facilities.

## *Mathematics*

Software available through the internet has been developed for the
solution of partial differential equations via numerical analysis
(DMS-9803442) or object-oriented code (DMS-9973423), for the teaching of
finite element analysis (DMS-9805983), and for the solution of linear
recurrence equations (DMS-9875856). In addition, the conservation law
package (CLAWPACK) has been freely available on the internet
(DMS-0106511 and DMS-9803442) to researchers using multidimensional
high-resolution finite-volume methods for solving hyperbolic partial
differential equations. For example, the equations can simulate the
ultrasound propagation in human tissue, elastic waves in heterogeneous
media, and gravitational waves of planetary bodies indicating
applicability to biosciences, materials science and astronomy.

## *Physics*

The Grid Physics Network will develop the toolkit to manage a vast
database and link a large computer network to perform computations
delivered in real time for experiments using the Large Hadron Collider,
LIGO interferometer and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

######### Indicator 3

**Information and policy analyses that contribute to the effective use
of science and engineering resources**

Rating: SUCCESSFUL

This indicator is not applicable to the activities of the Directorate
for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.

**E.**

######## **Merit review performance goals**

The COVs for both the Chemistry Division and the Division of
Mathematical Sciences judged the Directorate to be successful in the
applications of the two merit criteria by the program officers,
particularly so in the programs for large centers and in programs, such
as VIGRE and CAREER, with designated educational foci.

The Chemistry COV suggested that there is need to better educate the
individual investigators. It was judged, nonetheless, that significant
progress has been made in the extent to which criterion 2 is being
addressed by PIs.

**F.**

######## **Other issues**

The Directorate has been aggressive in positioning itself to attain the
strategic outcome goals. First, while MPS is organized along traditional
divisional lines, the MPS portfolio of investments are focused on
cross-cutting themes, such as "Origins of the Universe," "Molecular
Connections," "Integrating research and Education," and others. These
themes promote multidisciplinary activities and generates a strong team
ethos in the Directorate's operations. The Office of Multidisciplinary
Activities is a particularly innovative example of the Directorate's
efforts to respond to unexpected opportunities and unmet needs that do
not match traditional funding sources.

However, given the assessment by the COVs of both the Chemistry Division
and the Division of Mathematical Sciences of the "staggering work
loads," the attention given to emerging science and technology
enterprises and the exercise of stewardship functions for the science
community could be greatly enhanced.