NASEM Technology & Physical Sciences

Energy and water systems in the United States are closely interconnected, and disruptions in one can quickly affect the other. Increasing pressure like electrification and data center expansion are intensifying risks across both systems.  A new report from The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine examines how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regional pilot programs can support more coordinated energy–water solutions, with a focus on adaptive management, cross-sector coordination, and addressing nontechnical barriers.  Read the report: https://ow.ly/UiHC50Z1ajB #Infrastructure #Resilience #EnergyPolicy #WaterManagement 

The search for extraterrestrial life on Mars requires understanding how microorganisms from Earth could affect scientific analyses. Under what conditions could terrestrial microbes grow and replicate to constitute harmful contamination in the search life on Mars? Join us for a virtual meeting on June 1-2 where discussions will help NASA to identify the most important factors to consider in analyzing the likelihood that terrestrial microbes could replicate on Mars. Factors analyzed during the meeting will inform future modeling of the probability of growth of terrestrial microbes transported to Mars by robotic and human missions. Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/hAaV50Z1ei3 #SpaceScience #Mars #Astrobiology #PlanetaryProtection

Scaling carbon dioxide removal (CDR) requires not just scientific advances, but credible, high-integrity carbon markets. Yet persistent gaps between how carbon is measured in the real world and how it is accounted for in carbon markets continue to limit trust, investment, and deployment. Join us for a webinar on 6/2 to explore how AI can help bridge these gaps and support more viable, transparent, and durable markets for carbon removal. A moderated discussion with Alicia Karspeck ([C]Worthy) and Julio Friedmann (Carbon Direct) will examine how AI can strengthen monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) across land-based and engineered pathways. Learn more and register now: https://ow.ly/fIcp50YZJoS #CarbonDioxideRemoval #AI #CarbonMarkets #ClimateScience

American manufacturing is at crossroads. Over the past 15 years, the United States has experienced a declining rate in manufacturing productivity while key competitor nations have increased their edge. Our new report, “A Vision for the Manufacturing USA Program in 2030 and 2035,” examines how the Manufacturing USA program can be reimagined and strengthened to meet the nation’s most pressing manufacturing challenges over the next decade and beyond. The report examines comparable international advanced manufacturing programs and explores opportunities to strengthen technology transfer, cross-institute and cross-agency collaboration, regional manufacturing ecosystems, and workforce development. Explore the report's recommendations below. To learn more, visit: https://ow.ly/xb2250YZ8Qz #Manufacturing #AdvancedManufacturing #TechnologyTransfer

Accurate, accessible, and trustworthy greenhouse gas (GHG) data are essential for effective climate action, yet emissions information remains fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to verify across sectors and geographies. Join us for a webinar on 5/26 to examine the current state of GHG data and where critical gaps persist, with particular attention to how advances in AI, data infrastructure, and remote sensing are reshaping emissions monitoring and transparency. An interview-style discussion with Riley Duren (Carbon Mapper) will explore how AI-enabled tools such as satellite-based detection, atmospheric modeling, and large-scale data integration can improve data quality, accessibility, and trust. Learn more and register now: https://ow.ly/bnLb50YXGnY #GreenhouseGas #AI #ClimateData #RemoteSensing

Established over a decade ago, the Manufacturing USA program has played a key role in driving domestic innovation, speeding the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, and strengthening the nation's economy and national security. As challenges mount and new opportunities emerge, how can the program evolve to meet today’s demands and the needs of tomorrow? Join us for a webinar on May 14 at 11AM ET discussing a new consensus study report, A Vision for the Manufacturing USA Program in 2030 and 2035. The webinar will present a new vision for the program’s future to help prepare the nation to address its most pressing manufacturing challenges. During the event, members of the committee will examine comparable international advanced manufacturing programs and explore opportunities to strengthen technology transfer, cross-institute and cross-agency collaboration, regional manufacturing ecosystems, and workforce development. Learn more and register now: https://ow.ly/ptUi50YTfmr #ManufacturingUSA #AdvancedManufacturing #TechnologyTransfer

Disruptive innovations have the potential to significantly impact health, quality of life, and economic and national security. They can create new markets, increase the accessibility of products and services, force existing products and services to improve, and change entire industries. Join us for a workshop to examine the current state of disruptive innovation and explore ways to better understand and assess disruptive innovation to accelerate scientific and technological progress. Participants will discuss characteristics and essential elements of disruptive innovation, strengths and limitations of available bibliometric data and methods for measuring disruptive innovation, and key factors enabling or limiting disruptive innovation. Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/yoQc50YS1OJ #DisruptiveInnovation #ScienceandTechnology #Research

Metastable materials such as diamond can exhibit extraordinary properties from superconductivity to extreme hardness. These materials have the potential to transform energy systems, electronics, and infrastructure, but they are notoriously difficult to discover and stabilize. Advances in AI are accelerating the search for these materials, turning what was once trial-and-error into a more targeted, efficient process. Join us for a workshop on May 8 to explore cutting-edge research on metastable materials and how AI tools can speed innovation and translate breakthroughs into real-world use. Learn more and register now: https://ow.ly/Z6IC50YQM8q #MaterialsScience #Manufacturing #AIResearch