Even so, government investment remains crucial where the costs of investing in new technologies are high and the rewards are both distant and diffused across many companies. For example, development of advanced composites that are sufficiently low in cost for mass commercial applications, such as automobiles, will benefit industry while also ensuring the availability of such materials for defense use. The NSTC emphasizes dual-use technologies, including advanced materials, which have both civilian and defense applications. This effort continues the recent trend toward increased cooperation among Federal agencies and with the private sector. The overall Federal effort supports both the missions of individual agencies and NSTC goals.
Basic research is designed to expand scientific understanding of materials and related processes.
Applied research focuses on developing new or improved materials for specific Federal mission or industrial applications. At present, special emphasis is placed on helping industry overcome obstacles to commercialization of advanced materials.