Energy materials blue ribbon panel releases vision report

Abstract

Striking a balance between lowerrisk, near-term improvements and highrisk, long-term innovations in material and manufacturing science research and development is the most promising path to securing a sustainable energy future for the United States and the world, according to Linking Transformational Materials and Processing for an Energy-Effi cient and Low-Carbon Economy: Creating the Vision and Accelerating Realization, released in July by the Energy Materials Blue Ribbon Panel convened by TMS. The “Vision Report,” as it is known, culminates the fi rst phase of work in a two-part study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) in February 2010. The studies will support the development of a core materials science and engineering research and development portfolio that can best realize these critical needs. Isaac Chan, acting program manager for the DOE/ITP, commended the work of the Blue Ribbon Panel’s scientists and thought leaders for their ambitious effort, and expressed optimism about the prospects for progress on national energy security and carbon emission reductions goals that the Vision Report makes possible. “The strategic opportunities and solutions identifi ed in the report point the way toward truly transformational advances in new materials science and engineering,” said Chan. “Our challenge ahead is to move this work forward in order to convert the ideas into a blueprint for action that can speed our movement toward a more energy-effi cient and low-carbon society.” While the Vision Report addresses an array of technologies in which new materials and processing breakthroughs can lead to these transformational advances, it also highlights improvements Energy Materials Blue Ribbon Panel Releases Vision Report