Nurturing transformative U.S. energy research: Two guiding principles [Nurturing U.S. energy research: Two guiding principles]

Narayanamurti, Venkatesh; Tsao, Jeffrey Y.

doi:10.1557/mre.2018.9

Nurturing transformative U.S. energy research: Two guiding principles [Nurturing U.S. energy research: Two guiding principles]

Journal Article · Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · MRS Energy & Sustainability

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/mre.2018.9· OSTI ID:1477466

Narayanamurti, Venkatesh ^[1]; Tsao, Jeffrey Y. ^[2]

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA (United States); Harvard University Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs, Cambridge, MA (United States)
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Harvard University Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs, Cambridge, MA (United States)

Energy research is critical to continuing advances in human productivity and welfare. In this Commentary, we raise for debate and discussion what in our view is a growing mis-control and mis-protection of U.S. energy research. This flawed approach originates in natural human tendencies exacerbated by an historical misunderstanding of research and development, science and technology, and the relationships between them. We outline the origin of the mis-control and mis-protection, and propose two guiding principles to mitigate them and instead nurture research: (i) focus on people, not projects; and (ii) culturally insulate research from development, but not science from technology. As a result, our hope is to introduce these principles into the discourse now, so they can help guide policy changes in U.S. energy research and development that are currently being driven by powerful geopolitical winds.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000

OSTI ID:: 1477466

Report Number(s):: SAND--2018-1548J; 660687

Journal Information:: MRS Energy & Sustainability, Journal Name: MRS Energy & Sustainability Vol. 5; ISSN 2329-2229; ISSN applab

Publisher:: Materials Research Society - Cambridge University PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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