National Science Foundation (NSF)

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan met with key leaders, celebrated scientific breakthroughs and highlighted NSF's vital role in bolstering research initiatives for artificial intelligence. On Monday at NSF headquarters, Director Panchanathan welcomed Minister Yoo Sang-Im and delegates from the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology. The group convened to discuss joint research projects that will create nuanced opportunities to advance science and engineering to benefit both nations, with the potential to supercharge new access for the U.S. research community. The following day, Panchanathan joined AAAS at its 2024 Golden Goose Awards. The Golden Goose Awards recognizes the work of researchers whose federally supported research, initially viewed as obscure or unlikely to have significant practical applications, led to unexpected breakthroughs with major societal or economic impact. This year's recipients were all previously supported by NSF, exemplifying NSF's commitment to identifying promising areas of research early and providing the resources and infrastructure needed to nurture breakthrough discoveries over the long term. On Wednesday, Panchanathan attended the first annual Technology Leadership Summit to participate in a fireside chat with Michael Richards, senior director at the Chamber Technology Engagement Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Panchanathan highlighted the NSF National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes and the NSF National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource pilot during their discussion. Panchanathan elaborated on NSF's vision to prepare the next generation with vital resources to contribute to advancements in AI. The Quantum Insider also featured Panchanathan's previous keynote address at Quantum World Congress. During his keynote, Panchanathan spoke on the strides NSF is undertaking to broaden the quantum workforce through the $77 million NSF Expanding Capacity in Quantum Information Science and Engineering program. "This is the time to bring all of the assets together. Public-private partnerships, international partnerships and partnerships of every kind — this is how we will take the quantum leap forward," said the director. https://bit.ly/3ZC4z9e ??: Charlotte Geary/NSF ??: Linnea Farnsworth/Golden Goose Award ??: Amanda Greenwell/NSF

An NSF-supported team is exploring the secrets of matter using cutting-edge technology. By directing powerful lasers at thin copper strips and capturing the rapid changes with X-ray pulses, they've achieved significant insights into plasma behavior and planetary cores. The NSF Zettawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort pulse laser System Facility at the University of Michigan will leverage these pioneering methods for exciting new experiments, pushing us closer to innovative energy solutions through laser fusion. Read on to learn more about this transformative research and see how it's paving the way for advancements in science and energy: https://bit.ly/3BeoLDR #PlasmaPhysics #LaserFusion #NSFfunded #ScientificBreakthroughs

Yesterday, the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) released the third edition of the nation's climate literacy guide. It presents important information for individuals and communities to learn about and understand Earth's climate, the impacts of climate change and solutions. ?? NSF is one of the 15 member agencies of the USGCRP. The Climate Literacy Guide was developed by the USGCRP's Climate Engagement and Capacity-Building Interagency Group, of which NSF is a member. This guide is based on the USGCRP Fifth National Climate Assessment, to which NSF experts and NSF-supported researchers contributed. The guide aims to enhance K-12 education standards and provide essential principles for understanding and addressing climate change to students, workforce developers, journalists and decision-makers. It also broadens the definition of climate literacy to include physical science, local and Indigenous knowledge, social sciences, climate solutions and climate justice concepts. Read the full guide online: https://bit.ly/47DXuXM

NSF and philanthropic partners are investing more than $18 million to prioritize ethical and societal considerations in the creation of emerging technologies. The new NSF Responsible Design, Development and Deployment of Technologies (NSF ReDDDoT) program will create technologies that promote the public's well-being and mitigate potential harms by ensuring that ethical, legal, community and societal considerations are embedded in the lifecycle of technology's creation and use. "Through a robust public-private partnership with five philanthropies, NSF's investment in ReDDDoT aims to ensure that TIP advances the design, development and deployment of new technologies responsibly. This investment is consistent with the 'CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,' in which Congress called upon TIP to invest in exactly this approach when pursuing the key technology areas listed in that law," said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. Follow for more information: https://bit.ly/3XEqHwV

TOMORROW! Tune in for the Waterman awardee distinguished lecture "Robots that Evolve on Demand" by Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio, Mechanical Engineering @yale. ?? Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. ?? Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EDT. ?? Zoom link: https://bit.ly/4ddTOgl For more information: https://bit.ly/4gCucg7

The future is microelectronics. ???? That's why NSF and the Micron Foundation have invested in four projects to advance STEM teacher training to support future microelectronics. This investment will support the development of highly effective K-12 teachers in high-need, under-resourced school districts. Teachers will be more equipped to meet the needs of learners as they engage with concepts key to microelectronic careers. "By improving K-12 educational pathways and opportunities for students underrepresented in STEM, NSF is creating a more diverse and expansive network of STEM professionals, including K-12 teachers, to support this mission,” said NSF assistant director for STEM Education, James L. Moore III. https://bit.ly/3TFz0aL ??: Photos from ATE Impacts 2022-2023 (https://bit.ly/3Bfz8aE)

This week, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan engaged in discussions and announcements that underscored the agency's commitment to advancing research, innovation and global collaboration. On September 18, NSF announced two new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes for astronomy. These new AI Institutes, launched in partnership with the Simons Foundation, will each receive $10 million from NSF and $10 million from Simons to develop AI-powered astronomical tools to accelerate humanity's understanding of the universe. Later that same day, Panchanathan celebrated the 40th anniversary of the "Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984" (ARPA), which established Arctic research as a national priority. ARPA's establishment of the Arctic Research Commission,?whose work in setting national Arctic research priorities,?and the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee with NSF as the lead science agency whose work in implementing a national research plan, has been pivotal for fostering collaboration across federal agencies, academia, and Indigenous communities, ensuring that Arctic research is not only scientifically rigorous but also respectful and inclusive of those who have lived in and stewarded the region for centuries. On September 19, the director provided opening remarks and participated in the "Empowering the AI Talent of Today and Tomorrow: NSF Investments in AI Education and Development" showcase on Capitol Hill, an NSF-hosted event, in conjunction with the House and Senate AI Caucuses. The event showcased 14 NSF-funded projects and highlighted the critical role NSF plays in shaping a future-ready AI workforce, ensuring that every state and community has the tools and resources to lead in AI innovation and development. Later that day, Panchanathan joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and NY Air National Guard leaders to highlight the importance of recapitalizing the LC-130H Ski Bird Fleet. "NSF's leadership in both polar regions not only keeps the U.S. at the forefront of science and innovation. It also maintains the U.S. as the dominant global year-round presence in the Arctic and Antarctic. This would not be possible without the LC-130H aircraft and the brave and dedicated servicemembers of the New York Air National Guard and the 109th Air Lift Wing. Together, they provide a unique and invaluable service that allows us to reach the most remote parts of the polar regions," said the director. On September 20, the director hosted Márcio de Castro, the scientific director of the S?o Paulo Research Foundation, at NSF headquarters to discuss strengthening international partnerships that advance the frontiers of science and technology.

Today is World Alzheimer's Day. Nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association?. It's a day to encourage global efforts to raise awareness and support those affected by Alzheimer's and other causes of dementia. #NSFfunded startup SafelyYou develops AI-enabled video technology that helps detect falls by afflicted patients. By installing cameras in elder care facilities and nursing homes, SafelyYou alerts staff within seconds of a fall, allowing them to see the root cause and help prevent future falls. To protect the privacy of these patients, the video is recorded only when a fall is detected. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3XUQJO8. #NSFSBIR #WorldAlzheimersDay #Alzheimers ??: SafelyYou

NSF announced an investment of over $20 million on 25 projects through the Collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and Geosciences (NSF CAIG) program. This investment aims to advance the development and implementation of innovative AI techniques in geosciences while increasing technical capacity and expanding access to education and training opportunities for using AI approaches in geosciences research. "All 25 of the CAIG projects will foster transdisciplinary partnerships that lead to innovation in both AI and geosciences. These projects will provide cross-training for AI and geoscience knowledge, significantly building our capacity to study and analyze extreme weather, solar activity and earthquake hazards, among many topics," said Wendy Graham, director of the NSF Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education. To read the full announcement and the learn about the awardees, visit https://bit.ly/4eq7s1D.

The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing $48 million in its Broadening Participation in Computing Alliances to foster greater diversity in computing. This initiative aims to address the unique challenges underrepresented groups face in computer and information science and engineering, creating more inclusive and innovative communities nationwide. From mentoring programs to systemic changes in education, these alliances are driving progress in building a computing workforce that reflects the diversity and creativity needed to maintain the U.S. as a global leader in technology. "These awards exemplify our commitment to continuously expand opportunities for underserved groups and break down systemic barriers in computing education and research," said Greg Hager, assistant director for the NSF Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate. "By investing in innovative programs that address disparities, we are not just broadening participation — we are building a more inclusive, creative and robust computing workforce that will drive technological leadership for decades to come." https://bit.ly/3Tyajgc