[...]... because of the advance of mechanical engineering in other nations, competition is increasing and the U.S lead will shrink The United States is particularly strong in areas at the interface with other disciplines In these areas, which include bioengineering, design, and mechanics of materials, the United States will maintain the leadership position in spite of growing competition In some core areas where the. .. standing At the request of the National Science Foundation Engineering Directorate, the National Academies performed an international benchmarking exercise to determine the standing of the U.S research enterprise in the field of mechanical engineering relative to its international peers The field of mechanical engineering was benchmarked by an ad hoc panel consisting of 11 members, 10 from the United States. .. summarized below The United States is Among the Leaders in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research Evidence for current research leadership in mechanical engineering basic research comes from analysis of journal articles, most cited articles, and virtual congresses by the panel (described in more detail in Chapter 2) Overall, the United States is among the leaders in mechanical engineering basic research However,... 1 Introduction Key Characteristics of Mechanical Engineering Basic Research , 7 Role of Mechanical Engineering Basic Research in the U.S Economy, 7 Mechanical Engineering Defined for This Report, 8 Study Caveats, 10 Organization of This Report, 10 7 2 Current U.S Leadership Position in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research Journal Articles and Citations, 13 Virtual World Congress, 23 Mechanical Engineering. .. U.S Basic Research Leadership in Mechanical Engineering U.S research leadership in mechanical engineering basic research is the result of a combination of key factors, including a national instinct to respond to external challenges and to compete for leadership Over the years, the United States has been a leader in innovation as a result of cutting-edge facilities and centers, and a steady flow of mechanical. .. leading experts from the United States and abroad to identify the "best of the best" whom they would invite to an international conference in their subfield The national makeup of these “virtual congresses” provides qualitative information on leadership in mechanical engineering The panel also examined trends in the numbers of degrees, employment, and research funding of U.S mechanical engineering, ... funding of mechanical engineering basic research and infrastructure will remain level, with strong leadership in emerging areas 6 1 Introduction Like many other fields of science and engineering, mechanical engineering is facing growing uncertainty about its research competitiveness Concerns about educating students, future employment opportunities, and the fundamental health of the discipline and industry... tribology, the U.S position among the leaders may continue to fade On the basis of current trends in the United States and abroad, the relative future U.S position in mechanical engineering basic research is outlined below: • • • • • • • There will be growing industrial opportunities in China and India, which will result in increased mechanical engineering research talent and leadership abroad There will... Engineering Area Assessments, 24 Summary, 37 13 3 Key Factors Influencing U.S Leadership in Mechanical Engineering Basic Research 39 Centers, Facilities, and Instrumentation, 39 Human Resources, 44 R&D Funding, 57 Summary, 70 4 The Likely Future Position of U.S Mechanical Engineering Basic Research Mechanical Engineering Research Publications, 73 Supply of U.S Mechanical Engineers, 74 U.S Mechanical Engineering. .. Overall, the United States is among the leaders in mechanical engineering basic research, with the following average contributions: • • • 50 percent of virtual world congress (VWC) speakers, 40 percent of journal articles, and 40 percent of most-cited articles These results indicate that overall the United States is among the leaders in mechanical engineering basic research A Combination of Factors . Panel on Benchmarking the Research Competitiveness of the United States in Mechanical Engineering WARD O. WINER, Chair, Georgia Institute of Technology,. Summary 1 1. Introduction 7 Key Characteristics of Mechanical Engineering Basic Research , 7 Role of Mechanical Engineering Basic Research in the U.S. Economy,