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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task ." National Research Council. 2007. Benchmarking the Competitiveness of the United States in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12055.
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A
Statement of Task

At the request of the National Science Foundation Engineering Division, the National Academies’ Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology will perform an international benchmarking exercise to determine the standing of the U.S. research enterprise relative to its international peers in the field of mechanical engineering. The benchmarking exercise will address the following:

  • What is the position of U.S. research in mechanical engineering relative to that in other regions or countries?

  • What are the key factors influencing relative U.S. performance in mechanical engineering (i.e., human resources, equipment, infrastructure)?

  • On the basis of current trends in the United States and worldwide, extrapolate to the U.S. relative position in the near and longer-term future.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task ." National Research Council. 2007. Benchmarking the Competitiveness of the United States in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12055.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task ." National Research Council. 2007. Benchmarking the Competitiveness of the United States in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12055.
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Page 81
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task ." National Research Council. 2007. Benchmarking the Competitiveness of the United States in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/12055.
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Page 82
Next: Appendix B: Panel Biographical Information »
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Mechanical engineering is critical to the design, manufacture, and operation of small and large mechanical systems throughout the U.S. economy. This book highlights the main findings of a benchmarking exercise to rate the standing of U.S. mechanical engineering basic research relative to other regions or countries. The book includes key factors that influence U.S. performance in mechanical engineering research, and near- and longer-term projections of research leadership.

U.S. leadership in mechanical engineering basic research overall will continue to be strong. Contributions of U.S. mechanical engineers to journal articles will increase, but so will the contributions from other growing economies such as China and India. At the same time, the supply of U.S. mechanical engineers is in jeopardy, because of declines in the number of U.S. citizens obtaining advanced degrees and uncertain prospects for continuing to attract foreign students. U.S. funding of mechanical engineering basic research and infrastructure will remain level, with strong leadership in emerging areas.

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