Manufacturing Research and Education

This document records the oral and written testimony of witnesses who addressed the issue of how to strengthen research and education in engineering design and manufacturing at U.S. universities. The testimony includes a review of recommendations from two studies of the National Research Council and of the plans and programs of the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies that fund research relative to these recommendations. Witnesses included representatives from the National Research Council, engineering professors and department chairs from university, representatives from engineering education associations, and the assistant director for engineering of the National Science Foundation. They stressed that the United States has lost its competitive edge in manufacturing and technology and that more research is needed. Suggestions were made for increased research in and federal funding for programs in engineering design, changes in engineering education, and a design education clearinghouse. Other recommendations included bringing increased design knowledge to industry and promoting industry-university-government collaboration in research and education. (KC)