US economic competitiveness: A new mission for the DOE Defense Programs' laboratories. Revision 1

摘要

As the United States emerges from the cold war era into a challenging future, it is clear that our historic notions of national security are evolving. This report discusses the mission of the DOE National Laboratories in their role as problem solvers for the nation. An important and continuing part of our national security mission will, of course, be defense and energy. But to this has been added the mission of enhancing US global economic competitiveness through science and technology. Congress formalized this new mission in the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act of 1989. It states in part, ''there is a need to enhance United Stated competitiveness in both domestic and international markets,'' and ''the federal laboratories and other facilities have outstanding capabilities in a variety of advanced technologies and skilled scientists, engineers and technicians who could contribute substantially to the posture of the United States industry in international competition'' therefore, it is necessary to ''enhance collaboration between universities, the private sector, and government-owned, contractor operated laboratories in order to foster the development of technologies in areas of significant economic potential.''