Conclusions
The assessment panel has reviewed the Electronics and Electrical Engineering Laboratory of NIST with respect to the charge presented by the National Research Council. The panel found that the laboratory was well aligned with national priorities and is continuing to provide support for critical research fields within its mandate. The projects are well planned and backed by documentation on the short- and long-term goals, accomplishments, and expected impacts. In general, EEEL is providing excellent value at a reasonable cost. All the projects reviewed were providing value for the investment.
The technical merit of the programs is generally excellent. Many of the projects are state of the art and offer valuable support to the U.S. technological infrastructure and metrological needs. As well, there is promise of significant advancement in emerging technologies. The resources of the laboratory are generally adequate. The quality of the laboratory facilities varied widely, from excellent to barely acceptable. The quality of the staff is generally excellent, but the manpower expended on almost all projects was no more than minimal. This report also details a number of concerns about sustainability of activities, staffing, and the planning process and suggests new directions in research within the existing EEEL organization.
