Richard B. Bernstein constructive follow-up in the interests of the nation and of the science of chemistry. But it is a testament to George Pimentel's leadership, that we have yet to identify a significant controversy on the report's recommendations. We seem to have a consensus on priorities. The chemical community recognizes that a first class job was done: the report stands validated. The reaction to the report from industrial representatives has been very positive. A recent guest editorial in SCIENCE magazine (Appendix D), by E. G. Jefferson, Chairman of the Board, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, states, "All who are concerned that science make its full contribution to national life should study this report and its recommendations. They will be convinced that we need full support of the chemical sciences by government, industry and our academic institutions. Society will be repaid manyfold for such an investment of resources." Our competitiveness in a range of international markets depends upon our maintaining our present position of leadership in the chemical sciences. Our economic competitors among the technologically advanced countries -- Britain, France, Germany, Japan, and Sweden -- all pressed the Academy for early copies of this report. Their scientific leaders are ready to move forward rapidly to implement its recommendations and accelerate their own efforts in chemical research. - We the National Research Council's Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, the Committee to Survey Opportunities in the Chemical Sciences, the Council for Chemical Research, and I personally, speaking as a chemist interested in the health, security, and economy of our society urge that you make every effort to authorize funds for a chemistry research initiative in DOE as recommended in the report. The cost is small when balanced against the potential returns. The chemical sciences are brimming with opportunities for discovery that will not only advance human knowledge but also provide practical benefits for our nation. More specifically, a substantial new initiative in the chemical sciences will clearly be extremely cost effective in advancing the DOE mission. Energy independence must remain one of our important national goals, and chemistry, the central science, can help us achieve it. Your support can make it all happen. Thank you. List of Appendixes: A. Executive Summary of the Pimentel Report B. Abelson Editorial C. Section of Report on DOE D. Jefferson Editorial E. Vignettes OPPORTUNITIES IN Chemistry Committee to Survey Opportunities in the Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology National Research Council NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS Committee to Survey Opportunities in the Chemical Sciences GEORGE C. PIMENTEL (Chairman), University of California, Berkeley ALLEN J. BARD, The University of Texas at Austin FRED BASOLO, Northwestern University JOHN H. BIRELY, Los Alamos National Laboratory JOHN I. BRAUMAN, Stanford University HARRY G. DRICKAMER, University of Illinois, Urbana HANS-G. ELIAS, Dow Chemical Co. MOSTAFA A. EL-SAYED, University of California, Los Angeles DAVID A. EVANS, Harvard University JOSEF FRIED, University of Chicago GERHART FRIEDLANDER, Brookhaven National Laboratory HARRY B. GRAY, California Institute of Technology VLADIMIR HAENSEL, University of Massachusetts, Amherst RALPH F. HIRSCHMANN, Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories WILLIAM A. LESTER, JR., University of California, Berkeley RUDOLPH A. MARCUS, California Institute of Technology FRED W. McLAFFERTY, Cornell University KOJI NAKANISHI, Columbia University ALAN SCHRIESHEIM, Argonne National Laboratory HOWARD E. SIMMONS, JR., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc. WILLIAM P. SLICHTER, AT&T Bell Laboratories GABOR A. SOMORJAI, University of California, Berkeley EARL R. STADTMAN, National Institutes of Health CHRISTOPHER T. WALSH, Massachusetts Institute of Technology GEORGE M. WHITESIDES, Harvard University WILLIAM SPINDEL, Staff Director, Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology (BCST) ROBERT M. SIMON, Staff Officer, BCST PEGGY J. POSEY, Staff Officer, BCST ROBERT C. ROONEY, Editor, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and MARTIN A. PAUL, Technical Consultant, BCST MARY E. BUNDY, Administrative Associate to Dr. Pimentel JEAN E. YATES, Financial Coordinator, BCST RENEE R. HARRIS, Senior Secretary, BCST iii CHAPTER I Introduction Two decades have passed since the publication of NRC Report 1292, Chemistry: Opportunity and Needs, edited by Frank H. Westheimer. The frontiers that it envisaged in 1965 have indeed fulfilled their promise, and almost all of the report's optimistic expectations have been realized. In fact, the advances have been so rapid and so penetrating that the structure of chemistry and its interactions with contiguous disciplines have qualitatively changed. Physics has provided a panoply of powerful diagnostic tools that extend the experimental horizons of chemistry. Chemical theory has advanced to full partnership in the discipline, substantially aided by the revolutionary advances made by computer scientists. Molecular biology has made remarkable progress in its elucidation of life processes and has placed before chemistry challenging problems that require explication at the molecular level. Hence it is timely for a new assessment of the status of chemistry, the opportunities that can be seen ahead, and the resources needed to pursue them. This report presents that assessment. Chemistry is a central science that provides fundamental understanding needed to deal with many of society's needs. It is a critical component in man's attempt to feed the world population, to tap new sources of energy, to clothe and house humankind, to provide renewable substitutes for dwindling or scarce materials, to improve health and conquer disease, to strengthen our national security, and to monitor and protect our environment. Basic research in chemistry will help future generations to cope with their evolving needs and unanticipated problems. Because of this responsiveness to human needs, chemistry has become a crucial element in the nation's economic well-being. The U.S. Chemicals and Allied Products industry employs more than a million people, makes annual manufacturing shipments totalling about $175 billion, and, currently, displays a $12 billion positive international balance of trade, second highest of all commodity groups. Our competitiveness in a range of international markets depends upon maintaining our present position of leadership in the chemical 3 |