John Rumble

One of the most important FIAP activities this year will be a Workshop on National Issues in Industrial Physics, jointly sponsored by APS and FIAP, on; October 6-7, 2014 in St. Michaels MD.

Physics has been a prime mover of industrial development in the United States for over 100 years. Technology advances in virtually every area have been made possible by physicists in industry using the latest physics knowledge to develop products and devices that have made our lives safer, better, and easier such as consumer electronics, automated braking systems, automated elevators, and smart phones. Equally important have been the contributions of industrial physics to the security and infrastructure of our Nation, including jet aircraft, radar, space exploration, air traffic control system, and renewable energy.

We almost take for granted that the flow of physics from research done across the globe to the individual physicists and companies that are based on physics is unencumbered and continuous. The world, however, continues to change: physics research is done in more countries than ever; technology has become globalized; physics information is now widely available on the internet; and the world economy and our national financial situation have been severely challenged in the last decade. The nature of industrial physics is also changing as many large central labs have been de-emphasized and the industrial physics community has become more fragmented.

APS and FIAP believe it is timely to explore the issues facing industrial physics within the United States as we move deeper into the 21st Century and to identify those issues that already or potentially challenge U.S. industrial leadership in using physics as a key driver for success. These issues include the availability of suitable physicists to perform industrial physics at the highest levels, the availability of new physics to overcome technological challenges, and the support of industrial physics by the government, legal system, and financial sectors as a key player in improving society and an important driver for new economic activity and wealth.

The goal is to produce an annotated list of issues facing industrial physics in the United States over the coming decade with some indication of seriousness and priority for action. To the extent practicable, the major issues will have suggested actions or actors, or both, for addressing the issues. A Workshop report will be issued (10-15 pages) within three months, similar in quality to APS POPA reports. The Workshop primarily consists of small breakout groups that will identify, refine, and prioritize the top issues.

If you are interested in attending, we can accommodate a very few additional attendees. Please contact Steven Lambert (lambert@aps.org) or John Rumble (jumbleusa@earthlink.net) as soon as possible.

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Opinions expressed represent the views of the individual authors and not the American Physical Society or authors’ employers.