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A Statement of Task A comprehensive assessment of the current status and future prospects of the field of condensed-matter and materials physics (CMMP) and its connections to other areas of science and technology is proposed. This assessment, CMMP 2010, is part of a broader study, Physics 2010, the latest decadal assessment and future outlook of the field of physics, conducted by the Board on Physics and Astronomy under the auspices of the National Research Council (NRC). This proposed study identifies fundamental theoretical and experimental challenges in CMMP and their relationship with other areas of physics. Because CMMP has proven to have great societal benefit, the potential applications of CMMP and its strong connections to fields that are closer to technology will also be explored. The committee will be charged to produce a comprehensive report on the status of CMMP. The committeeâs report shall: 1. Review the field of CMMP, emphasize recent accomplishments, and identify new opportunities and compelling scientific questions, connecting to other recent studies where appropriate. 2. Identify the potential future impact of CMMP on other scientific fields and current and emerging technologies. 3. Consider how CMMP has contributed and will likely contribute to meeting national societal needs such as in education, workforce, and healthcare. 4. Identify, discuss, and suggest priorities for construction, purchase, and operation of tools and facilities ranging from instrumentation for the in- dividual investigator to the national user facilities. 243
244 C o n d e n s e d - M at t e r and M at e r i a l s P h ys i c s 5. Make recommendations on how the U.S. research enterprise might realize the full potential of condensed-matter and materials physics research. 6. Examine the structure and level of the current research effort in condensed- matter and materials physics. Obtain objective information on current status and trends in the following areas: (1) the performing institutions: government, universities, and industry; (2) different levels of aggregation of researchers ranging from principal investigators through small groups and large teams at centers; (3) the role of the research community and performing institutions in initiating research; and (4) the relationship between research opportunities and the current structure of the research effort. Analyze this information, make comparisons internationally, and draw relevant conclusions.