Engineering Research Centers and Integrated Research

NSF Investments inEngineering Research CentersNSF Investments inEngineering Research Centers

Vilas Mujumdar, P.E., S.E.Vilas Mujumdar, P.E., S.E.

Program DirectorProgram Director

Engineering Research CentersEngineering Research Centers

National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation

Summative Review - PEERSummative Review - PEER

The University of California-BerkeleyThe University of California-Berkeley

June 12-14, 2007June 12-14, 2007

Engineering Research Centers(ERCs)Engineering Research Centers(ERCs)

Creating Leading Technologies,Creating Leading Technologies,

Educating Technology LeadersEducating Technology Leaders

MissionMission

Discovery, dissemination, and employmentof new knowledge and technologies andtrain a new generation of graduates inservice to Industry and the NationDiscovery, dissemination, and employmentof new knowledge and technologies andtrain a new generation of graduates inservice to Industry and the Nation

 First ERC created - 1985 First ERC created - 1985

 To date 21 ERCs graduated To date 21 ERCs graduated

Technological areas of current ERCsTechnological areas of current ERCs

 Bioengineering - 6 Bioengineering - 6

 Manufacturing and Processes - 5 Manufacturing and Processes - 5

 Earthquake Engineering - 3 Earthquake Engineering - 3

 Microelectronics Systems and InformationTechnology - 8 Microelectronics Systems and InformationTechnology - 8

Goals of an ERC Goals of an ERC

Create and sustain integrated,interdisciplinary research environmentCreate and sustain integrated,interdisciplinary research environment

Engineered systems –oriented ResearchEngineered systems –oriented Research

 Educate a globally competitive anddiverse engineering workforce Educate a globally competitive anddiverse engineering workforce

 Partner academe and Industrysynergistically to achieve the goals Partner academe and Industrysynergistically to achieve the goals

An NSF Engineering Research CenterA Complex, Interdependent SystemAn NSF Engineering Research CenterA Complex, Interdependent System

Basic Structure of an ERCBasic Structure of an ERC

 Three-way partnership involving academe,industry, and NSF (sometimes local,state, and otherfederal agencies) Three-way partnership involving academe,industry, and NSF (sometimes local,state, and otherfederal agencies)

 Multi-institutional structure Multi-institutional structure

 Requirement of minority institution participation Requirement of minority institution participation

 Sufficient infrastructure – commitment by leadinstitution and core partner institutions Sufficient infrastructure – commitment by leadinstitution and core partner institutions

 NSF annual contribution $3m- $4m for amaximum period of 10 years NSF annual contribution $3m- $4m for amaximum period of 10 years

Common features of all ERCsCommon features of all ERCs

While each ERC is different, all share the following:While each ERC is different, all share the following:

•A long-term strategic vision for an emergingengineered system with potential to spawn newindustries or transform processes, service deliveryor infrastructure systems;•A long-term strategic vision for an emergingengineered system with potential to spawn newindustries or transform processes, service deliveryor infrastructure systems;

•A strategic plan enabling the ERC to realize itsvision by delivering advances in:•A strategic plan enabling the ERC to realize itsvision by delivering advances in:

i. knowledge, i. knowledge,

ii. technology, ii. technology,

iii. education and iii. education and

iv. a diverse engineering workforce iv. a diverse engineering workforce

C.A research program integrating cross-disciplinaryfundamental research to advance technologythrough proof-of-concept test beds designed to testtheory in functioning systems;C.A research program integrating cross-disciplinaryfundamental research to advance technologythrough proof-of-concept test beds designed to testtheory in functioning systems;

D.An education program that teams undergraduateand graduate students and integrates researchresults into curricula for pre-college and collegestudents as well as practitioners;D.An education program that teams undergraduateand graduate students and integrates researchresults into curricula for pre-college and collegestudents as well as practitioners;

E.Outreach in research and education that enables abroad base of faculty, college-level undergraduateand graduate students, and pre-college studentsand their teachers;E.Outreach in research and education that enables abroad base of faculty, college-level undergraduateand graduate students, and pre-college studentsand their teachers;

F.Partnership with industry and otherpractitioners to formulate and evolve thestrategic research plan, strengthen theresearch and education programs, and speedtechnology transfer;andF.Partnership with industry and otherpractitioners to formulate and evolve thestrategic research plan, strengthen theresearch and education programs, and speedtechnology transfer;and

G.A diversity plan that includes efforts to increasethe diversity of the ERC’s students and facultyat all levels to exceed the national engineering-wide averages through active involvement ofgroups underrepresented in engineering.G.A diversity plan that includes efforts to increasethe diversity of the ERC’s students and facultyat all levels to exceed the national engineering-wide averages through active involvement ofgroups underrepresented in engineering.

Some Examples of NSF InvestmentsSome Examples of NSF Investments

Computer visualization techniques improvecomprehension of complex phenomena such as theformation of tornadoes.

Complex SystemsComplex Systems

Some Examples of NSF InvestmentsSome Examples of NSF Investments

The EarthScope program’s US Array will provide acomprehensive network of interconnected sensors toexplore seismic activity.

Earthquake Science and Engineering

NSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering ResearchNSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering Research

Earthquake Engineering Research Centers:Earthquake Engineering Research Centers:

1.Three Earthquake Engineering ResearchCenters across US, each with a differentfocus within the larger seismic risk reductionresearch area ($60m NSF funding supportwith at least $60m matching funding – past10 yrs)1.Three Earthquake Engineering ResearchCenters across US, each with a differentfocus within the larger seismic risk reductionresearch area ($60m NSF funding supportwith at least $60m matching funding – past10 yrs)

2.Developed a culture of interdisciplinaryresearch specifically in earthquakeengineering and social sciences2.Developed a culture of interdisciplinaryresearch specifically in earthquakeengineering and social sciences

NSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering ResearchNSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering Research

3.Developed a systems level focus to researchagenda in seismic risk reduction area

4.Influenced strong partnership with practitioners

5.Influenced code development towardsperformance based from prescription based

6.Development of new tools and methodologiesfor seismic hazard risk assessment

7.Influenced development of quantifiablemeasures of societal vulnerability to seismichazard risk

NSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering ResearchNSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering Research

8.Advanced research in interdependenciesof infrastructure systems

9.Influenced creating diverse engineeringworkforce appropriate for the profession

10.Created awareness and interest inearthquake engineering at K-12 level

11.Mentoring of students across threeEarthquake Engineering Research Centers

NSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering ResearchNSF Investment – EarthquakeEngineering Research

Continuing dedicated funding throughNEES-R in CMMI division

Continuing annual funding throughvarious programs in CMMI

Continuing annual funding throughother Directorates of NSF

In summary Earthquake Engineering Research hasreceived substantial funding & continues to do so.In summary Earthquake Engineering Research hasreceived substantial funding & continues to do so.

Future ExpectationsFuture Expectations

 Continuity of the Center with: Continuity of the Center with:

A.Expanded vision

B.Financial strength

C.Integrated research

D.Profound contribution to the profession

E.Influence on the education

F.Emphasis on creating a globallycompetitive diverse workforce

Research and its outcomes contributing toTangible and substantial societal benefitResearch and its outcomes contributing toTangible and substantial societal benefit

T h a n k Y o uT h a n k Y o u