Present Status of Physics Research in Spain: Some Impressionistic Remarks

摘要

When monitoring scientific life and reporting on progress in Europe and the Middle East, there is an unmistakable tendency to focus on the more developed, highly industrialized countries. But rapidly developing countries often offer many surprises in all social and intellectual areas. Conditions and performance factors of research are no exception. Unfortunately, the American scientific community very often gets a slanted picture. While shortcomings are easy to detect and are brought home forcefully to a visitor by his less fortunate fellow scientists, it is important not only to mention general assets and positive trends but also to highlight specific examples of promising new events. One of the most interesting recent developments I saw was an ongoing, concentrated, and well-coordinated effort which aims to build up a very significant Spanish research base in the area of microelectronics.