# **NSF/MPS ADVISORY COMMITTEE**

A WHITE PAPER ON

**RECOMMENDED**

**MPS RESPONSE**

**TO THE**

**HART-RUDMAN REPORT**

***"'Road Map for National Security:***

***Imperative for Change"***

## May, 2002

# Summary and Recommendations {#summary-and-recommendations .unnumbered}

#  {#section .unnumbered}

The Hart-Rudman report, *"Road Map for National Security: Imperative for
Change" (February 15, 2001),* contains an extensive analysis of the
current capability of the United States to respond to threats to
homeland security as well as the strength of the national scientific
enterprise. The report made significant recommendations for improvements
in these areas, including an enhanced role for the National Science
Foundation in the stewardship of the national scientific research and
education programs. The Advisory Committee of the NSF Mathematical and
Physical Sciences Directorate reviewed the issues in the Hart-Rudman
report focusing on *Improving Homeland Security* and *Recapitalizing
America\'s Strength in Science and Education*. This white paper presents
recommendations to the NSF/MPS Directorate, and is intended to be a
catalyst for further planning.

**The Advisory Committee makes the following recommendations:**

1\. The National Science Foundation, and in particular, the MPS
Directorate, should expand its role as a steward of America\'s science
research capability. NSF/MPS should continue to focus on its strength in
basic research, while responding to issues of national priority, such as
homeland security and science education.

2\. The MPS Directorate should play a leadership role in convening a
strategic meeting with other agencies to discuss domains of interest and
to establish means of coordination of activities.

3\. The MPS Directorate should create and maintain an inventory of the
research activities and capabilities in the fields that it covers. The
inventory would start with current and recent grant awardees, but
subsequently should be expanded. Having such an inventory will enable an
assessment of existing activities and their support.

4\. The MPS Directorate should take actions that will support the
formation and maintenance of an active, national community involved in
carrying out research in areas relevant to homeland security. Actions
could include workshops, communications at national meetings and
solicitations for exploratory proposals.

5\. The MPS Directorate should conduct a set of open workshops to define
actions that will support the recapitalization of America\'s strength in
science and education. A cross-directorate Steering Committee should be
formed to plan these workshops. The result of these workshops should be
a detailed implementation plan.

#   {#section-1 .unnumbered}

# 1. Introduction {#introduction .unnumbered}

The Hart-Rudman report, entitled ***Road Map for National Security:
Imperative for Change***, was released on February 15, 2001. It contains
a careful analysis of the current capability of the United States to
respond to threats to the homeland security as well as the strength of
the national scientific enterprise and the effectiveness of government
agencies to deal with these issues. The overall conclusion was alarming.
The report asserted that the United States is currently in a state of
unreadiness and it will take substantial efforts by many parties to
address these problems:

> *\... significant changes must be made to the structures and processes
> of the U.S. national security apparatus. Our institutional base is in
> decline and must be rebuilt. Otherwise, the United States risks losing
> its global influence and critical leadership role.*

The Hart-Rudman report specifically predicted terrorist attacks on the
American Homeland. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have
magnified the importance of speedy, coordinated responses by a broad set
of agencies and organizations. The report included the following
recommendation on page 34:

> *\...we recommend that OSTP \[White House Office for Science and
> Technology Policy\], in conjunction with the National Science
> Foundation - and with the counsel of the National Academies of
> Science - design a system for the ongoing basic inventory stewardship
> of the nation\'s capital knowledge assets. The job of inventory
> stewardship could be vouchsafed to the National Science Board, the
> governing body of the National Science Foundation, were it to be
> provided staff for this purpose.*

The Advisory Committee of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Directorate discussed these issues at its meeting in November 2001, and
formed a subcommittee to review the issues and recommend actions
suitable for NSF/MPS consideration. This white paper represents the
subcommittee's report that has been reviewed and endorsed by the full
Advisory Committee for submission to the MPS Directorate.

Improving the national capability to respond to threats to homeland
security is especially challenging because such attacks, by their very
nature, often come from unexpected sources that are difficult to
anticipate. Countering these threats therefore requires the maintenance
and expansion of a broad scientific research capability which can act
proactively and which can be rapidly mobilized as necessary. Research
projects supported by NSF, as illustrated in this report, can form the
basis for defenses against these threats by virtue of their long-term
nature and scientific quality.

The National Science Foundation is one of several institutions that will
play a role in responding to the recommendations of Hart-Rudman dealing
with the research enterprise. Others include the Department of Defense
research agencies, the National Security Agency, NIH, DOE and NASA. It
is imperative that these groups respond in a coordinated fashion, each
having clearly defined responsibilities and having well-defined
interfaces between the various agencies. In addition, better cooperation
with industry can provide great benefit, particularly in accelerating
the speed of transfer of innovation from laboratories to usable
products.

The National Academies have recently established a committee of
distinguished scientists and engineers to help the government to develop
a science and technology program plan and research strategy for
combating terrorism. NSF/MPS can provide important input to this study,
and some of the recommendations resulting from this proposed response to
the Hart-Rudman report may also assist the Academies' study.

**[Recommendation 1]{.underline}. The National Science Foundation, and
in particular, the MPS Directorate, should expand its role as a steward
of America\'s science research capability. NSF/MPS should continue to
focus on its strength in basic research, while responding to issues of
national priority, such as homeland security and science education.**

Stewardship includes the following responsibilities:

-   Maintain an inventory of the current capability and expertise of the
    national science enterprise.

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-   Identify deficiencies in this capability as well as new
    opportunities to be drawn to the attention of the scientific
    community.

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-   Invest appropriately in the core enterprise of basic research and
    science education, as well as in exploratory activities designed to
    open up new fields of activity.

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-   Provide means to assist responsible agencies to rapidly identify
    resources within the national scientific enterprise that may lead to
    solutions to critical problems.

As a component of its science stewardship, NSF/MPS must continue to
accept responsibility for the development of an educated workforce. The
shortage of talented Americans entering areas of scientific research
also poses a critical problem that must be addressed. This shortage will
require attention at all stages of the \"pipeline\". This includes
finding ways to excite pre-college students and their teachers, to
educate and motivate undergraduates, and to provide opportunities that
provide incentives for students to pursue graduate studies and research
careers. The development of ideas should continue to receive significant
support. We also require better means to disseminate and share ideas and
to focus them on urgent problems. We need two types of tools: some
enabling broad use of results within the scientific and engineering
communities; some supporting the stewardship roles described above.

We stress that it will require an increase in funding for NSF to take on
the expanded responsibility of stewardship in addition to its present
role of being a prime supporter for basic research in the United States.
However it is our strong belief that NSF, in conjunction with other
agencies, is ideally qualified to play a major role. In 2000, the MPS
Advisory Committee drafted a document called \"*RISE*\" - *Reinvestment
in Science and Engineering*. This document contains many examples of how
research in basic science has contributed to advances in all aspects of
our lives. The time is right to expand this collection substantially.

In Sections 2 and 3 we discuss the two areas from the Hart-Rudman report
requiring focus from NSF: *Improving Homeland Security* and
*Recapitalizing America\'s Strength in Science and Education.* We
discuss both short-term actions and continuing, long-term activities.
MPS currently has basic research programs that are directly relevant to
our recommendations, and examples of these are outlined in Section 4.
These activities have been on-going prior to the new focus on homeland
security and illustrate the potential of basic research to contribute to
the resolution of new problems that confront our nation. Members of the
subcommittee are listed in the Appendix.

# 2. The Role of MPS in Homeland Security  {#the-role-of-mps-in-homeland-security .unnumbered}

Homeland security is a national priority, and it is the duty of
scientists in the U.S. to assess how their research expertise and
capabilities can contribute to this important mission. As one of the
Nation's leading science agencies, it is important that the NSF assumes
a key position in this effort, as recommended in the Hart-Rudman Report.
Indeed, this is specifically included in the NSF charter:

> *"To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health,
> prosperity, and welfare; [and to secure the national
> defense]{.underline}."*

Support for homeland security involves three types of activities:

1.  [Anticipatory]{.underline}: Potential future threats are recognized
    and research is carried out that will develop capabilities to
    counter these threats. Much of the current work on cryptography
    research is of this nature.

2.  [Responsive]{.underline}: An actual security attack occurs and a
    very rapid response is required. An example of this is the
    identification of a test to identify the presence of anthrax spores.

3.  [Capability building]{.underline}: The unpredictability of homeland
    security threats makes it essential to conduct broad research
    programs in selected areas that will strengthen our base
    capabilities, without focusing on any particular threat. For
    example, basic research on computerized face recognition provides a
    core capability that can enable automated identification of
    suspected terrorists from security cameras.

A substantial fraction of the research sponsored by NSF, especially
within the MPS directorate, can contribute to issues of national
security. One example of particular importance today is the development
of chemical and optical sensors that has been sponsored by various MPS
Divisions, along with the accompanying signal processing techniques. For
example, the Division of Chemistry alone has approximately 70 active
proposals at \$9.5M/yr in the general area of sensors and detection, and
it will soon evaluate proposals for an Environmental Molecular Sciences
Institute.

The MPS Advisory Committee considers the following to be important
guidelines in establishing the role of NSF/MPS in homeland security
research:

1.  NSF/MPS should concentrate on basic scientific research that feeds
    into applications that other agencies or industrial sectors can use
    effectively. Through this unique role, the MPS contributions can be
    maximized consistent with its mission and capabilities.

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1.  NSF/MPS should justify an augmentation of its research budget for
    directed areas of emphasis, while maintaining strong support for the
    core program of basic research and science education. This is
    particularly important since novel ideas that impact homeland
    security applications may well be generated from basic research in
    core areas, and these may not be currently anticipated.

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1.  NSF/MPS should help establish communication channels amongst all
    scientists involved in work that may be related to homeland
    security, and outline methods for maintaining an inventory of
    applicable national research programs in MPS disciplines that can be
    shared rapidly with other agencies in response to various homeland
    security situations and requirements.

MPS can contribute significantly to homeland security issues in many
ways. The Directorate, as part of a broad NSF effort, should work with
mission-oriented agencies such as AFOSR, DOE, NRL, ARO, NASA and the
Homeland Security Office to identify opportunities for research and
development and setting priorities for programs that address the
scientific and technical needs for homeland security. NSF can use its
broad contacts with educators and researchers in colleges, universities
and the national labs to put together teams to make rapid progress in
designing these projects and bringing them to fruition. NSF should play
a major role in planning longer-term science initiatives that will
provide the infrastructure necessary to meet future homeland security
needs. Some areas of focus could be:

> • Security of information technology and communication systems;
>
> • Security of energy sources and distribution systems;
>
> • Security of transportation systems;
>
> • Continuing development of basic science discoveries, infrastructure
> and human resources needed for both a strong economy and the
> flexibility to meet unforeseen threats.

**[Recommendation 2]{.underline}. The MPS Directorate should play a
leadership role in convening a strategic meeting with other agencies to
discuss domains of interest and to establish means of coordination of
activities.**

The MPS Directorate is also well positioned to bring together
interdisciplinary science teams to attack problems that require input
from many disciplines. These are capability-building activities,
focusing on *prevention*, not just response, as described on Page 6 of
the Hart-Rudman report.

In the nearer term, the Directorate should identify current research
projects funded by NSF that are likely to have an impact on homeland
security. For example, the development of advanced sensors and detectors
across the spectrum are critical components of many research projects.
Imaging techniques, sophisticated methods of data analysis and
visualization can be readily adapted for security needs. The Directorate
can help identify those projects and programs that seem most likely to
have devices and procedures that might be put to use in homeland
security. In addition, the Directorate can provide guidance to
researchers who bring forward devices and procedures that might yield
quick responses to immediate homeland security needs, for example for
rapid detection of anthrax spores. The Foundation can then assist in
speeding the conversion of laboratory devices to practical devices for
the field by brokering agreements between researchers, mission-oriented
agencies, and commercial firms.

**[Recommendation 3]{.underline}. The MPS Directorate should create and
maintain an inventory of the research activities and capabilities in the
fields that it covers. The inventory would start with current and recent
grant awardees, but subsequently should be expanded. Having such an
inventory will enable an assessment of existing activities and their
support.**

This inventory should be created in the form of a well-indexed and
cross-referenced text database. This will permit the application of data
mining and text-mining techniques that can generate detailed and
aggregate understanding of the totality of covered research. The
creation, maintenance and analysis of this database will require
targeted investment by NSF.

**[Recommendation 4]{.underline}. The MPS Directorate should take
actions that will support the formation and maintenance of an active,
national community involved in carrying out research in areas relevant
to homeland security. Actions could include workshops, communications at
national meetings and solicitations for exploratory proposals.**

More specifically, the Advisory Committee recommends consideration of
the following actions.

1.  *Strategic coordination*: Initiate strategic coordination meetings
    with federal agencies such as DoD, NSA, DOE, NIH, etc., and outline
    NSF's role in homeland security. Such coordinated efforts could fall
    within the on-going study project of the National Academies, or be
    in response to requirements of the Office of Homeland Security. This
    should include strategic coordination amongst chief scientists at
    the above-named federal agencies. NSF/MPS should propose
    coordination of specific aspects of the national effort such as the
    inventory of relevant research and the establishment of a
    communication channel amongst scientists to insure a cohesive
    national program. As this forms a new thrust for MPS, it is
    important that close communications and review of this process be
    maintained with the Office of the NSF Director, the NSB, and the
    NAS.

2.  *Inventory of relevant research and expertise*: Carry out a detailed
    inventory of ongoing research activities in the MPS Divisions to
    identify those areas that may impact homeland security issues both
    in the short and long term. Such a list, a few examples of which are
    given in Section 4 of this paper, would illustrate MPS' potential
    contributions in the national effort and help demonstrate the
    importance of basic research that can feed into the homeland
    security applications.

3.  *Assessment of current projects*: Assess whether research projects
    identified by the inventory are operating under constrained
    budgetary levels. Seek input from the PIs about how additional
    resources could be utilized to facilitate faster progress in the
    research if possible, enhance educational opportunities in these
    areas to train the work force relevant to these areas, and to
    generate results that can be driven promptly towards applications.

4.  *Facilitation of scientific and mathematical community involvement*:
    Encourage the MPS community to apply for short-term exploratory
    research projects to examine potential areas that can lead to
    contributions to homeland security. A special announcement of
    opportunity should be prepared and rapidly disseminated to the MPS
    community. NSF has the SGER mechanism for making such awards, and
    the size and conditions for such awards should be reexamined in
    light of the urgency of engaging the broad MPS community in this
    effort.

5.  *Communications with the community*: Disseminate the important
    message of homeland security research to the community via
    presentations at the various upcoming national disciplinary
    meetings. The MPS Directorate and Divisions have traditionally
    supported successful 'town meeting' presentations at various
    national meetings and this would be a timely opportunity for this
    effort. The message to the community must be carefully presented as
    a new area that may apply to some but not all NSF research work, and
    that it is being considered as an augmentation to the MPS portfolio
    rather than a redirection of resources.

6.  *Community workshop*: Plan an MPS multidisciplinary workshop to
    encourage discussion and debate on the appropriate program for
    homeland security within MPS and define the longer-term road map for
    this effort. Such a workshop would serve to build strong
    associations amongst MPS disciplinary scientists and engage them in
    defining the program with a strong stake in its success.

7.  *MPS management*: Determine the appropriate mechanism to coordinate
    and manage homeland security research within MPS. A coherent and
    cohesive management mechanism would help build a stronger program
    and provide more visibility to the effort. Program coordination can
    either reside in the MPS Director's Office or within the OMA. The
    research programs themselves would continue to reside in the
    relevant divisions and would be supervised by the program directors.

We emphasize that all of these efforts should support continued focus by
NSF on science research and education. Deciding whether NSF itself, with
appropriate budget increases, ought to fund mission-oriented research
directly, is a serious policy issue. Our recommendation is that this
funding be left primarily to other mission-oriented agencies.

Support for short-term research and planning activities in FY02, where
the budget has been already established, would come from potential
cooperative efforts with other federal agencies or from special
appropriations to the NSF budget for the purpose of supporting research
on topics related to homeland security. Some support could come from the
normal budget allocation where feasible, but solicitations to the
community for involvement in this research need to be commensurate with
the identification of appropriate resources. Clearly, the planning and
longer-term activities in homeland security research may be very
important for the development of the FY03 NSF budget request.

Secrecy and classified information issues will arise in dealing with
other agencies and may also be important in the application of basic
research tools to homeland security as laboratory devices and procedures
are converted to homeland security uses. The Directorate should explore
ways of speeding the security clearance for those university researchers
who need it and finding ways for researchers without such clearance to
contribute appropriately to classified projects.

**3. Recapitalizing America\'s Strengths in Science and Education**

The events of September 11, 2001 shed a harsh light on the science
research and education infrastructure in this country. On the one hand,
our current technology and expertise allowed rapid responses to both
physical and biological terrorism, and to build defenses and wage war
with enormous technological superiority. On the other hand, there was a
feeling that a more capable national structure should have been able to
detect and forestall these attacks before they occurred.

Responding as recommended in the Hart-Rudman report requires a number of
actions. We must

-   Rebuild and re-equip facilities that restore the nation to the
    forefront of scientific research.

> • Better educate students at all levels in science and mathematics.
>
> • Maintain the pool of creative scientists and educators in science,
> mathematics and engineering.
>
> • Rebuild the industrial-academic collaborations that gave us advances
> such as atomic energy, synthetic rubber and the ability to place men
> on the moon.

These activities cannot be addressed separately; each builds on and
reinforces the other. Good education prepares students; modern
facilities and enthusiastic science mentors attract them, train them and
work with them to develop new ideas; and healthy industry puts them to
productive work.

The Hart-Rudman report has recommended a renewed national commitment
along the lines of the commitment made in the Sputnik era. That
commitment includes the following:

1.  \"Doubling the U.S. government\'s investment in science and
    technology research and development by 2010\" in programs that would
    \"emphasize research over development\";

2.  Better coordination of research efforts by diverse funding agencies
    and by the national labs;

3.  Improvement of science education nationally.

If successfully implemented, 2. would complement 1. by providing
communication links that close the gap between scientific insights and
successful applications. The report includes concrete suggestions for
achieving 2. and3. but does not give a price tag.

Our specific recommendations for actions to reinvest in science and
education are based on the three tenets of NSF: *people, ideas and
tools.* Rebuilding excellence in each is a complex process that will
require participation from and cooperation between many sectors and
agencies of government, industry, academia and the broader society.
Although the desired end goal of a scientifically educated and
technologically strong nation is clear, the specific path that the
nation must pursue, the likely time scale, and the requisite cost to
achieve this goal are less clear. We recommend that MPS establish a
Steering Committee to oversee the definition and implementation of a
series of focused workshops to articulate the pathway to reestablish
international prominence in science and math research and education.
These workshops should be held within the next year to address the
recapitalization of science research and education infrastructure. The
expected outcomes of these workshops will be detailed plans that
articulate both the short-term and longer-term actions and costs for
revitalization of science research and education in this country.

**[Recommendation 5]{.underline}**. **The MPS Directorate should conduct
a set of open workshops to define actions that will support the
recapitalization of America\'s strength in science and education. A
cross-directorate Steering Committee should be formed to plan these
workshops. The result of these workshops should be a detailed
implementation plan.**

Two workshops on rebuilding infrastructure are recommended. The first
will focus on science education and the science workforce; the second
will revolve around science research and technology. The first would
call on national leaders in education at all levels, from elementary
school teachers to world-class scientists from academia and industry.
Their mandate would be to

> • *Evaluate* where we are now: what educational strategies currently
> employed are effective, what problems require solutions, how do we
> move beyond the best strategies we now have, and what are the
> anticipated needs in the science and math research and education
> workforce in the next two decades?
>
> • *Define* specific programs to promote systemic change: we already
> *know* how to teach well; how do we implement what we know to better
> prepare the current and next generation of researchers and educators?
>
> • *Develop* plans for reinvigorating the cadre of science and math
> researchers and educators needed: how do we attract the best students
> into science and math research and teaching, how do we train them, and
> crucial to long term success, how do we retain them in these
> professions?

The second workshop would bring together leading researchers from
academia, industry and national laboratories to define a plan for
recapitalizing science and math research in this nation through
long-term support and development of its infrastructure. Drawing on the
depth of experience and knowledge of these scientists on how first-rate
science is accomplished now and how it is translated into useful
technology, they will be asked to

> • *Determine* areas of immediate and long-term need to better position
> the nation for the scientific and technological demands of the 21^st^
> century. What areas of science research and technology expertise need
> to be developed and/or strengthened, what state-of-the-art
> instrumentation and facilities are required, and what human resources
> must be developed to support these areas?
>
> • *Define* recommended new areas of emphasis in national programs and
> increases in funding required to meet these needs. Where are the needs
> greatest, what are the most urgent priorities, and what are the
> systemic improvements that will bring long-term health to the nation's
> science and technology base?
>
> • *Develop* a specific timeline for phased implementation of these
> programs and costs.

4.  **Current Relevant MPS Programs and Funded Research**

The NSF MPS Directorate, through its Divisions of Astronomical Sciences,
Chemistry, Material Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics, has
been supporting basic research in many areas that have relevance to our
Nation's homeland security and to the recapitalization of our Nation's
strengths in science and education. We illustrate below some of the
research and educational programs that are on going within the MPS
portfolio of support. These provide concrete examples of programs and
initiatives that have been supported under the core program of basic
research prior to the recent attention towards homeland security and the
call for added emphasis on science education as recommended by the
Hart-Rudman report. The Hart-Rudman report recommended a doubling of the
NSF budget, and such action would provide many more opportunities for
expanded support of basic research and education in MPS disciplines.
Such an increase in support would also be an important step in
recapitalizing America\'s investment in basic research and science
education.

**4.1 Examples relevant to homeland security research**:

• ***Molecular Detector***

At Northwestern University, the research team of Joseph Hupp, Son Binh
Nguyen and Randall Snurr, has developed a thin-film material with
nanometer-sized cavities that serves as a molecular gatekeeper. The
material can be manipulated to allow the passage of certain molecules on
the basis of size, shape and other properties. The scientists have also
discovered a means of chemically transforming molecules within these
cavities. These films could potentially be used to selectively capture
and destroy harmful chemical species introduced into the environment.

• ***Biological and Chemical Sensor***

At the University of Kentucky, Sylvia Daunert has been developing
genetically engineered bacteria to be used in optical sensing systems
applied to problems in environmental analysis. The bacteria contain
reporter genes that provide light emission of specific wavelength when
exposed to the targeted analyte. An internal background correction
system is developed that allows extension of the spectroscopic method to
achieve low levels of detection. Arrangements of bacteria-based sensors
are explored for multianalyte sensing in flow streams and in static
solutions. Bacterial genes are modified such that they luminesce when
exposed to trace levels of targeted compounds. These systems can be used
to sense and warn of harmful systems in the environment.

• ***Nanoparticle Strategies for DNA Sequence Detection of Anthrax***

A research group at Northwestern University led by Chad Mirkin has used
a materials-based strategy as a novel approach towards detecting
specific DNA sequences. Because nanoparticles only assemble in the
presence of a complementary DNA strand, the change in material
properties induced by nanoparticle assembly can be used as an indicator
of whether a particular sequence is present in a sample or not. Such
signatures include the changing optical, mechanical, and electrical
properties of DNA-functionalized nanoparticles; for example, on
DNA-mediated assembly, gold nanoparticles will change from red to blue,
and this change can be correlated to the presence of a DNA target. The
researchers have applied this idea to the detection of DNA from
biological warfare agents such as anthrax, and are extending it to
clinical DNA detection. Currently, they are extending the nanoparticle
assembly strategy to analyzing combinatorial DNA arrays (or \"gene
chips\"), and have demonstrated that DNA-functionalized gold
nanoparticles will assemble onto a sensor surface only in the presence
of a complementary target. If a patterned sensor surface of multiple DNA
strands is used, the technique can detect millions of different DNA
sequences simultaneously. Nanoparticles make particularly good labels
for sensors because a variety of analytical techniques can be used to
detect them, including optical absorption, fluorescence, Raman
scattering, atomic and magnetic force probes, and electrical
conductivity.

• ***3-D Geometry Face Recognition***

Work by Shing-Tung Yau at Harvard University on automatic face
recognition can advance the techniques in surveillance and identity
authentification. Most of current research in this area focuses on image
based techniques, such as eigenfaces, memory-based approaches. While
these methods work well in some small domain mugshot face databases, the
performance falls off sharply when applied to more general cases. For
example, on frontal images taken the same day, typical first choice
recognition performance is over 95% accurate, while for images taken one
year later, the typical accuracy is approximately 50%. The reason is
that the face is a 3D object whose 2D pictures show strong variance
because of the pose, facial expression, cosmetics, etc. To get a
reliable face recognition algorithm, one has to use geometric
information to study the 3D face information. With today's advances in
3D modeling techniques, face recognition can be pushed to a higher
level. This research is strongly interdisciplinary, requiring
contributions from geometry, computer graphics and computer vision.

**• *Precise Location of Radio Signals***

Astronomers have developed accurate techniques to map the position of
distant galaxies in order to image their structures and study their
evolution. The most precise of these methods involves networking radio
telescopes that are separated by long distances from each other -- a
technique called very long baseline interferometry. The technique has
been recently applied by Alan Rogers at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Haystack Observatory, to the precise determination of the
location of a cellular phone making an E-911 call. The radio signal from
the phone is equivalent to that emitted by a quasar, and the cellular
towers behave as the radio telescopes that receive the signal. Joint
work by the MIT astronomers and industrial partners at TruePosition,
Inc. in Pennsylvania has resulted in the development of a network system
capable of locating emergency calls from cellular phones to within 80
meters. The technique has been tested successfully in heavily populated
urban environments and shown to meet requirements established by the
FCC. It can be usefully extended to homeland security applications in
the future.

• ***Hardening of electronics***

The development of new radiation hard electronics is essential for
robust control and communications in extreme radiation environments. The
inner particle tracker and very high speed readout systems of the LHC
and Fermilab high energy physics detectors must operate reliably when
they are located but a few centimeters from the primary high energy
accelerator beam - an incredibly hostile environment. The physics
community is working together with industry to solve this problem for
many mega-Rad doses, pursuing paths from new materials such as diamond
detectors, to new circuit designs with built in error correction and
redundancy, to new microchip designs to reduce the effect of radiation
damage on semiconductors (e.g., smaller gates). While this work will
have profound effect on the science reach of high luminosity particle
physics experiments, the greater impact will be on reliable, fault-free
electronics for our battlefields of the future and for space
applications.

2.  **Examples relevant to strengthened education:**

• ***Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry***

The Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)
program makes funds available to establish university/industry
partnerships. It provides opportunities for faculty, postdoctoral
fellows, and students to conduct research and gain experience in an
industrial setting; industry scientists and engineers to bring
industrial perspective and integrative skills to academe; and
interdisciplinary university/ industry teams to conduct long‑term
projects. This program targets high‑risk and high‑gain research, with
focus on fundamental topics that would not otherwise have been
undertaken by industry; the development of innovative, collaborative
university/industry educational programs; and the direct exchange of new
knowledge between academe and industry. GOALI provides funding for
individuals such as faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students to
develop creative modes of collaborative interaction with industry
through individual or small‑group research projects and industry‑based
fellowships for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. All NSF
Directorates participate in the GOALI program.

• ***Research Experiences for Undergraduates***

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program supports
active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the
research areas funded by NSF. REU projects involve students in
meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects
specially designed for the purpose. Two support mechanisms are offered:
REU Supplements and REU Sites. REU Supplements may be included in
proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or as supplements to ongoing
NSF‑funded projects. REU Sites are based on independent proposals to
initiate and conduct undergraduate research participation projects for a
number of students. REU Sites projects are often focused within a single
discipline and/or single academic department; however, interdisciplinary
or multiple‑department proposals with a strong intellectual focus are
also encouraged, as are proposals with international dimensions.

• ***Research Experiences for Teachers***

The Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program facilitates the
professional development of K-12 teachers by promoting collaborative
relationships with research scientists, thus strengthening the
partnership between universities and local school districts. The program
allows scientists to connect personally with math and science teachers
in their areas, and to reach students broadly. In this program, teachers
are invited to spend internships with researchers in their laboratories
during summer and the academic year in order to learn about on-going
research and help translate the principles into lesson plans that they
can take back to their students and fit within their class curricula.
Close contacts are maintained between the scientists, the teachers and
the students in follow-up activities in the schools, thus building
long-term collaborative relationships. The RET program was initiated in
the MPS Directorate in 1999 through a call from the MPS Assistant
Director to the MPS science community for participation. The program was
patterned after the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, and
is synergistic with it.

• ***Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship***

The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT)
program was initiated in 1997. Its goal is to provide Ph.D. scientists
and engineers with the multidisciplinary backgrounds and the technical,
professional, and personal skills needed for the career demands of the
future. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in
graduate education, for students, faculty, and universities, by
establishing new, innovative models for graduate education in a fertile
environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional
disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate greater
diversity in student participation and preparation and to contribute to
the development of a diverse, globally‑aware, science and engineering
workforce. IGERT projects afford graduate students an in‑depth education
through course-work and research experience in emerging areas of science
and engineering, areas that transcend traditional disciplinary
boundaries and involve a diverse group of faculty members. The awards
place a high priority on students\' communication and teamwork skills,
international awareness, experience with modern instrumentation, and
responsible conduct of research. The IGERT projects also link graduate
research with internships in industry, national laboratories and other
non-academic settings in an effort to offer experiences relevant to both
academic and nonacademic careers.

• ***Grants for Vertical Integration of Research and Education
(VIGRE)***

VIGRE is an innovative effort by MPS, begun in 1998, to attack the
\"pipeline\" problem by the integration of education and research.
Support is provided to mathematical sciences departments that have a
coherent plan for integration of an undergraduate research experience; a
graduate traineeship program; a postdoctoral fellowship program; and
undergraduate and graduate curriculum reviews. Some VIGRE projects also
feature K-12 outreach activities.

**APPENDIX**

[Subcommittee Members]{.underline}:

> Dr. Robert C. Hilborn
>
> Amherst College
>
> Dr. Lon Mathias
>
> University of Southern Mississippi
>
> Dr. Jeanne E. Pemberton
>
> University of Arizona
>
> Dr. Willie Pearson, Jr.
>
> Georgia Institute of Technology
>
> Dr. William R. Pulleyblank (Chair)
>
> IBM Research, Yorktown Heights
>
> Dr. Joseph E. Salah
>
> MIT, Haystack Observatory
>
> Dr. David Siegmund
>
> Stanford University

[NSF MPS Liaison]{.underline}

> Dr. Adriaan deGraaf
>
> MPS