1. Plan for an International Study of Hybrid Flexible Electronics
Duane Shelton
August 27, 2008

2. A hybrid flexible camera system that is a big step toward a bionic eye—from Illinois
"We believe that some of the most compelling areas of future application involve the intimate, conformal integration of electronics with the human body, in ways that are inconceivable using established technologies." "This approach allows us to put electronics in places where we couldn't before. We can now, for the first time, move device design beyond the flatland constraints of conventional systems." John Rogers, Nature, August 7, 2008

3. An E-skin for robots -- from Japan
Researchers have developed a rubber that is able to conduct electricity well, paving the way for robots with stretchable "e-skin" that can feel heat and pressure like humans.. "Objects that come into contact with humans are often not square or flat. We believe interfaces between humans and electronics should be soft." Takao Someya, University of Tokyo, in Science August 7, 2008

4. Baltimore, College Park, Lancaster, Johnstown, Arlington.
World Technology Evaluation Center, Inc.
WTEC mission Inform U.S. agencies, universities, and research community of science and technology abroad in critical fields
Baltimore, College Park, Lancaster, Johnstown, Arlington.

5. Acknowledgements
…and over 400 expert panelists, thousands of foreign hosts

6. Why conduct international assessments?
Guide U. S. R&D investments
Look for good ideas abroad (tech transfer)‏
Find opportunities for cooperation
Compare U.S. status with that abroad
Justify investment in R&D. Pointing with alarm is an example

7. Why point with alarm?
Research and education are changing rapidly abroad
Greatly increased investments are producing substantial outputs—we can learn from abroad
Further, since we care about U.S. leadership of engineering, we need more resources to compete
Pointing with alarm can be a powerful motivator, e.g. Rising Above the Gathering Storm report—next a Chinese case study

8. Chinese research output
Each year PRC increases R&D by 19% (US 3%)
Shelton model ties this input to scientific paper output

9. WTEC past and present: over 60 studies since 1989 ‏
Brain-Computer Interfaces (TATRC, NSF, NIBIB, NINDS, 2 foundations)‏
Catalysis by Nanostructured Materials (NSF, DOE, AFOSR, DTRA)‏
Simulation-Based Engineering & Science (24 programs at 4 agencies)‏
WTEC also staffs the NNCO and provides workshops and IT support

10. Continue onsite research support at NNCO
WTEC future
Continue onsite research support at NNCO
Plan Government-wide initiative on simulation-based engineering & science
International study on stem cells for tissue engineering
International study of hybrid flexible electronics

11. WTEC methods Write grant proposals that can pass peer review*
Establish a coalition of sponsors who have resources to make it happen
Recruit a great panel from Government nominations*
Conduct the study effectively; Government participates in decisions—like where to go*
Maintain good host relations, so we can return in future studies
Publish an outstanding report*
* More in appendix

12. From Draft Statement of Work
What is the position of foreign R&D relative to the U.S.?
What are the barriers in development that can be learned abroad?
What are the innovations and ideas that are worth exploring in the U.S.?
What are the opportunities for international collaboration?

13. Proposed timeline for study
Nov. 08
Kick-Off Meeting (All Panelists, Sponsors)
Jan. 09
U.S. Baseline Workshop (Optional)
Feb. 09
Site Visits Asia (First Priority?)
Mar. 09
Site Visits Europe (Optional)
Apr. 09
Final workshop at NSF
Jul. 09
Final report draft

14. Sponsorship Benefits: International Assessment Study
Leverage of full study for approximate price of a workshop
Advances interagency cooperation
Recognition in report and website
Advance review of report
Ideas for initiatives and cooperation
Find out what your counterparts abroad are up to

15. Basic International Assessment Study; Options Later
5-person panel of U.S. experts
Kickoff meeting with panel and sponsors
Study 15 to 20 sites in one week (either in Europe or Asia).
Workshop to present findings to professional community
Written report: Introduction, Exec Summary plus 4 technical chapters, appendix has site report for each site.

16. Options Added to Basic Study
Additional study tour week in second region: Europe or Asia
U.S. baseline workshop
More bibliometric study
More panelists for broader scope
Book by major publisher

17. Distinguished panelists
NSF Director (Colwell)
Directors of DOE Office of Science (Trivelpiece, Dresselhaus)
Chief of Naval Research (Mooney)
Director of NIGMS (Cassman)
Chief Scientist of the USAF (Feigenbaum)
Vice presidents for research of IBM, Bell Labs, Seagate Technology
Presidents or provosts of UC (Berkeley, San Diego and UC system) and Rensselaer
Over 400 other engineers and scientists

18. WTEC senior staff experience
Duane Shelton (Universities, NSF, U.S. House)‏
Mike DeHaemer (Captain USN (ret.) skipper of SSBN, Universities) ‏
Dave Nelson (ex-Director of NITRD, the Government-wide IT initiative)
Geoff Holdridge (NRC, NSF, staff director of NNCO)‏

19. International Studies
NSF/WTEC “umbrella” grants
Grant
Amount
International Studies
WTEC1
(2001)
$3.7 million 7
WTEC2
(2004)
$5.3 million
WTEC3
(2007)
$1.8 million
3 Underway
At Loyola there were six such peer-reviewed grants.
WTEC is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute.
Grants include other tasks, especially workshops and
NNCO support

20. Impacts: support of initiatives
DARPA Flat Panel Displays Initiative
DOD/DOC Electronic Packaging Initiative
NTSC Electronics Manufacturing Initiative
National Nanotechnology Initiative
Benign Manufacturing MUSES Program
Spin Electronics Program Announcement
Tissue Engineering Strategic Plan

21. Conducting a study efficiently
Staff experience means that most problems can be avoided based on precedent
WTEC locations mean:
Low overhead (29%)‏
Affordable salary scale
Close enough to meet in Washington area

22. Advance work / host review
Cultivating good relations with hosts is critical
Some hosts are resistant, but WTEC is well known abroad
NSF image helps greatly in obtaining access
Advance work is expensive, but makes the study tour more effective
Hosts review site and final reports

23. Our reports are of academic quality with full citations, etc.
Report editing
Our reports are of academic quality with full citations, etc.
Analytical chapters written by experts Site reports are merely an appendix
They are edited several times
We always have to extract chapters from holdouts
Published in 9 books; we now have an international technology series with Springer with 3 published, 1 in press

24. Preliminary Bibliometrics