The New Engineering Research Centers -- Copyright -- PREFACE -- Contents -- SUMMARY -- INTRODUCTION -- I THE NATIONAL GOAL -- Improving the U.S. Position in International Industrial Competitiveness -- DISCUSSION -- Engineering Research and International Competitiveness -- ENGINEERING RESEARCH PROVIDES THE MISSING LINK -- A Neglected Element of the Technology Development Process -- Missing Elements in the Education of Engineering Researchers -- THE ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTERS: BRIDGING GAPS -- Bridging Gaps Between Universities and Industry -- Bridging Gaps Among Engineering Disciplines -- Bridging Gaps Within the Innovation Process -- SUMMARY -- DISCUSSION -- Science and Engineering: A Continuum -- EXAMPLES OF THE CONTINUUM -- CROSS-DISCIPLINARY WORK AND ERCS -- DISCUSSION -- II GENESIS OF THE ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTERS -- The Concept and Goals of the Engineering Research Centers -- INTRODUCTION -- CHANGES IN THE NSF ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE -- RATIONALE FOR THE ERCS -- SELECTION FACTORS -- MEASURES OF SUCCESS -- NSF STRATEGY FOR STRENGTHENING ENGINEERING -- DISCUSSION -- The Criteria Used in Selecting the First Centers -- DISCUSSION -- Nurturing the Engineering Research Centers -- NEW FEATURES OF THE 1986 ANNOUNCEMENT -- COMMON DEFICIENCIES IN PROPOSALS -- ERC MANAGEMENT ISSUES -- "Systems Aspects" -- Information Exchange -- Evaluation -- OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE -- DISCUSSION -- III THE CENTERS AS A REALITY-PLANS, MECHANISMS, AND INTERACTIONS -- Systems Research Center -- INTRODUCTION -- The Research Theme and Its Significance -- Educational Needs -- THE RESEARCH PROGRAM -- THE EDUCATIONAL PLAN -- INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION PLAN -- CONCLUSION: A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS -- References -- Center for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems -- SUMMARY -- INTRODUCTION -- FOCUS OF THE CENTER -- Background -- Research Focus -- THE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM -- INDUSTRIAL PARTICIPATION -- Mechanisms -- Technology Transfer -- Center for Robotic Systems in Microelectronics -- INTRODUCTION -- ROBOTICS AND MICROELECTRONICS -- MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH METHODS -- INDUSTRIAL INTERACTION -- "Systems House" Approach -- Current Industrial Participation -- FACILITIES -- EDUCATION -- Center for Composites Manufacturing Science and Engineering -- OVERVIEW: THE CENTER'S GOALS AND CAPABILITIES -- OVERVIEW: THE RESEARCH PROGRAM -- Manufacturing and Processing Science -- Mechanics and Design Science -- Computation, Software, and Information Transfer -- Materials Design -- Materials Durabilityt -- Ceramics Research at Rutgers University -- ACADEMIC PROGRAM -- INDUSTRIAL INTERACTION -- FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS -- Engineering Center for Telecommunications Research -- SUMMARY -- INTRODUCTION -- THE RESEARCH PROGRAM -- Overall Research Focus -- MAGNET: An Example of Current Research Activity -- EDUCATIONAL/INDUSTRIAL PROGRAMS -- Biotechnology Process Engineering Center -- INTRODUCTION -- STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT, AND PLANNING OF THE CENTER -- EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS -- Undergraduate Programs -- Graduate Programs -- Postdoctoral and Industrial Programs -- RESEARCH PROGRAMS -- Overview and Rationale -- Genetics and Molecular Biology for Protein Synthesis, Processing, and Excretion in Animal Cells and Yeast -- Concepts in Bioreactor Design, Scale-up, and Operation -- Downstream Processing for Product Isolation and Purification -- Biochemical Process Systems Engineering -- SUMMARY -- Methods for Ensuring Information and Technology Exchange Among the Centers -- INTRODUCTION -- OPTIONS FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE -- Center Directors' Meetings -- The NSF Role: Cooperator and Facilitator -- Computer Networking -- Other Exchange Mechanisms -- BASIC PRINCIPLES -- CONCLUSION -- DISCUSSION.

New Factors in the Relationship Between Engineering Education and Research -- THE ERCS' EFFECT ON ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION -- SUPPORT OF THE UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS -- NEW FACTORS AFFECTING ENGINEERING EDUCATION -- References -- IV THE FUTURE-CHALLENGES AND EXPECTATIONS -- Challenges of a Technologically Competitive World: A Vision of the Year 2000 -- WORLD POPULATION AND WEALTH -- FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES -- MORE INTENSE LABOR COMPETITION -- TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL TRANSFERS -- ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES -- High Replacement Costs -- Other Developing Alternatives -- NEW STRATEGIES FOR THE AMERICAN ECONOMY -- ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS -- Communications Bandwidth -- Electronics Costs -- Storage Capabilities -- Automation and Employment -- THE FLEXIBLY AUTOMATED FACTORY -- Customer Orientation -- Lower Costs -- Implementation -- Smaller-Scale, Flexible Operations -- HEALTHCARE COSTS AND THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY -- Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Litigation -- National Healthcare Costs -- BIOTECHNOLOGY -- PROSPECTS AND CONCLUSIONS -- References -- Goals and Needs of U.S. Industry in a Technologically Competitive World -- INTRODUCTION -- FORCES IN OPPOSITION -- U.S. INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION -- THE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE -- THE STEEL INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE -- CONCLUSION -- References -- A Mature but Rejuvenating Industry: Expectations Regarding the Engineering Research Centers -- A Growth Industry: Expectations Regarding the Engineering Research Centers -- OPPORTUNITIES FOR ERC UNIVERSITIES -- CENTER OPERATIONS -- EXPECTATIONS OF A GROWTH INDUSTRY -- Biotechnology and the Healthcare Industry: Expectations for Engineering Research -- HEALTHCARE: THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY -- ENGINEERING RESEARCH IN BIOTECHNOLOGY -- Manufacturing -- Drug Design and Synthesis -- New Drug Discovery -- CONCLUSION: THE NEED FOR ENGINEERS AT THE INTERFACE.

Challenges for Government -- Implications and Challenges for Industry -- Challenges for Academe -- Biographies.