Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society: Proceedings of a Symposium (2023)

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Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society Steve Olson and David A. Butler, Rapporteurs Program Office National Academy of Engineering PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs Proceedings of a Symposium 

NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 This activity was supported by contracts between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation (EFMA-2101725). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or agency that provided support for the project. International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-XXXXX-X International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-XXXXX-X Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.17226/26847 Cover image: The Utah Bionic Leg; made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Mark Helzen Draper/University of Utah College of Engineering. This publication is available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; www.nap.edu. Copyright 2023 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and National Academies Press and the graphical logos for each are all trademarks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Suggested citation: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society: Proceedings of a Symposium. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi. org/10.17226/26847. PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, nongovernmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president. The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org. PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

Consensus Study Reports published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine document the evidence-based consensus on the study’s statement of task by an authoring committee of experts. Reports typically include findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on information gathered by the committee and the committee’s deliberations. Each report has been subjected to a rigorous and independent peer-review process and it represents the position of the National Academies on the statement of task. Proceedings published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine chronicle the presentations and discussions at a workshop, symposium, or other event convened by the National Academies. The statements and opinions contained in proceedings are those of the participants and are not endorsed by other participants, the planning committee, or the National Academies. Rapid Expert Consultations published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are authored by subject-matter experts on narrowly focused topics that can be supported by a body of evidence. The discussions contained in rapid expert consultations are considered those of the authors and do not contain policy recommendations. Rapid expert consultations are reviewed by the institution before release. For information about other products and activities of the National Academies, please visit www.nationalacademies.org/about/whatwedo. PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

COMMITTEE ON EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING IMPACTS ON SOCIETY DAN E. ARVIZU (NAE; Chair), Chancellor, New Mexico State University System; Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering LYNN A. CONWAY (NAE), Professor Emerita, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan EDWARD H. FRANK (NAE), Cofounder and CEO, Brilliant Lime, Inc. and Cloud Parity SELDA GUNSEL (NAE), President, Shell Global Solutions (US); Vice President of Global Lubricants and Fuels Technology, Shell WILLIAM S. HAMMACK (NAE), William H. and Janet G. Lycan Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign EBONEY HEARN, Executive Director, Office of Engineering Outreach Programs, Massachusetts Institute of Technology LAURA A. LINDENFELD, Dean, School of Communication and Journalism, Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Planning, Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, Stony Brook University THERESA A. MALDONADO, Vice President for Research & Innovation, University of California Office of the President LOUIS A. MARTIN-VEGA (NAE), Dean and Professor of Engineering, North Carolina State University YU TAO, Associate Professor of Sociology, Stevens Institute of Technology JIMMY WILLIAMS JR., Distinguished Service Professor of Engineering and Public Policy; Director, Engineering & Technology Innovation Management Program, Carnegie Mellon University JEFFREY R. YOST, Director, Charles Babbage Institute for Computing, Information, and Culture; Research Professor, History of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis National Academy of Engineering staff DAVID A. BUTLER, J. Herbert Hollomon Scholar, Study Director CAMERON H. FLETCHER, Editor v PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

COURTNEY HILL, Program Officer MAIYA SPELL, Senior Program Assistant GURU MADHAVAN, Norman R. Augustine Senior Scholar, Senior Director of Programs Contract Writer STEVE OLSON, Freelance Writer vi PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

Contents 1 Symposium Introduction and Keynote Presentations 1 Engineering Achievements, 2 Creating the Potential for Impact, 6 Empowering Engineering Superheroes, 8 2 NSF and Its Role in Fostering Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society 11 The Applied Innovation Challenges Facing NSF, 12 The Broader Impacts of Engineering Research, 15 Fostering Multidisciplinary Work, 17 Addressing Global Problems, 17 Observations on Engineering’s Impacts, 18 Additional Dimensions of Diversity, 19 3 People Who Brought About Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society 21 From Research to Revolution, 21 The Carbon Queen, 24 The Infrastructure Behind Science and Engineering Advances, 27 Societal Impacts of Tissue Engineering, 29 Commercializing Carbon Nanotubes, 32 NSF’s Investments in the Early Internet, 33 Targeting Cancer Cells with Nanoparticles, 35 Communicating the Accomplishments of Engineering to the Public, 36 Commercializing Technological Innovations, 37 Improving Research Funding, 39 Anticipating Negative Consequences, 39 Promoting Diversity in Engineering, 40 vii PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

4 NSF Centers That Catalyzed Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society 43 The ERC Program: An Overview, 43 Bringing Vision to the Blind, 46 Engineering Nano-Reinforced Polymer Composites in South Texas, 48 From Structures to Cities in Earthquake Engineering, 51 Imaging and the Three-Level Approach, 53 Managing Chronic Diseases with Wearable Devices, 55 Securing Information Technologies, 57 The Importance of Sustained Funding, 60 Fostering Multidisciplinary Work, 61 Fostering Partnerships, 61 5 NSF Processes That Fostered Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society 63 From Outside to Inside NSF, 63 Multiple Pathways to Disabilities Research, 66 Supporting Partnerships with Industry, 68 Analyzing Engineering Design, 70 Increasing Indigenous Representation in Engineering, 72 From Practice to Education, 74 Growing the Inspiration to Become an Inventor, 75 Summing Up the Session, 78 Transitioning to Other Sources of Funding, 78 Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 79 Advice to Young Engineers, 79 6 Symposium Conclusion 81 References 83 Appendixes A Agenda – Symposium on Extraordinary Engineering Impacts on Society 85 B Biographic Sketches of Symposium Speakers 91 C Biographic Sketches of Committee Members and Project Staff 107 PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

List of Boxes BOXES 1-1 The 20 Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century, 2 1-2 Grand Challenges for Engineering, 3 ix PREPUBLICATION COPY—Uncorrected Proofs 

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