%0 Book %A National Research Council %T An Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Physics Laboratory: Fiscal Year 2010 %@ 978-0-309-16158-9 %D 2010 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13008/an-assessment-of-the-national-institute-of-standards-and-technology-physics-laboratory %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/13008/an-assessment-of-the-national-institute-of-standards-and-technology-physics-laboratory %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Policy for Science and Technology %P 72 %X The mission of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physics Laboratory is to support U.S. industry, government, and the scientific community by providing measurement services and research for electronic, optical, and radiation technology. In this respect, the laboratory provides the foundation for the metrology of optical and ionizing radiations, time and frequency, and fundamental quantum processes, historically major areas of standards and technology. The Panel on Physics visited the six divisions of the laboratory and reviewed a selected sample of their programs and projects. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences %@ 978-0-309-14751-4 %D 2010 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12809/research-at-the-intersection-of-the-physical-and-life-sciences %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12809/research-at-the-intersection-of-the-physical-and-life-sciences %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Biology and Life Sciences %P 122 %X Traditionally, the natural sciences have been divided into two branches: the biological sciences and the physical sciences. Today, an increasing number of scientists are addressing problems lying at the intersection of the two. These problems are most often biological in nature, but examining them through the lens of the physical sciences can yield exciting results and opportunities. For example, one area producing effective cross-discipline research opportunities centers on the dynamics of systems. Equilibrium, multistability, and stochastic behavior--concepts familiar to physicists and chemists--are now being used to tackle issues associated with living systems such as adaptation, feedback, and emergent behavior. Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences discusses how some of the most important scientific and societal challenges can be addressed, at least in part, by collaborative research that lies at the intersection of traditional disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. This book describes how some of the mysteries of the biological world are being addressed using tools and techniques developed in the physical sciences, and identifies five areas of potentially transformative research. Work in these areas would have significant impact in both research and society at large by expanding our understanding of the physical world and by revealing new opportunities for advancing public health, technology, and stewardship of the environment. This book recommends several ways to accelerate such cross-discipline research. Many of these recommendations are directed toward those administering the faculties and resources of our great research institutions--and the stewards of our research funders, making this book an excellent resource for academic and research institutions, scientists, universities, and federal and private funding agencies. %0 Book %A National Research Council %T Promoting Chemical Laboratory Safety and Security in Developing Countries %@ 978-0-309-15041-5 %D 2010 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12857/promoting-chemical-laboratory-safety-and-security-in-developing-countries %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12857/promoting-chemical-laboratory-safety-and-security-in-developing-countries %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Environment and Environmental Studies %K Conflict and Security Issues %P 136 %X There is growing concern about the possible use of toxic industrial chemicals or other hazardous chemicals by those seeking to perpetrate acts of terrorism. The U.S. Chemical Security Engagement Program (CSP), funded by the U.S. Department of State and run by Sandia National Laboratories, seeks to develop and facilitate cooperative international activities that promote best practices in chemical security and safe management of toxic chemicals, including: Partnering with host governments, chemical professionals, and industry to assess and fill gaps in chemical security abroad. Providing technical expertise and training to improve best practices in security and safety among chemical professionals and industry. Increasing transparency and accountability for dangerous chemical materials, expertise, and technologies. Providing opportunities for collaboration with the international professional chemical community. The Department of State called on the National Academies to assist in the CSP's efforts to promote chemical safety and security in developing countries. %0 Book %A National Research Council %E Engle, Robert F. %E Weidman, Scott T. %T Technical Capabilities Necessary for Regulation of Systemic Financial Risk: Summary of a Workshop %@ 978-0-309-14960-0 %D 2010 %U https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12841/technical-capabilities-necessary-for-regulation-of-systemic-financial-risk-summary %> https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/12841/technical-capabilities-necessary-for-regulation-of-systemic-financial-risk-summary %I The National Academies Press %C Washington, DC %G English %K Industry and Labor %K Math, Chemistry, and Physics %K Surveys and Statistics %P 28 %X The financial reform plans currently under discussion in the United States recognize the need for monitoring and regulating systemic risk in the financial sector. To inform those discussions, the National Research Council held a workshop on November 3, 2009, to identify the major technical challenges to building such a capability. The workshop, summarized in this volume, addressed the following key issues as they relate to systemic risk: What data and analytical tools are currently available to regulators to address this challenge? What further data-collection and data-analysis capabilities are needed? What specific resource needs are required to accomplish the task? What are the major technical challenges associated with systemic risk regulation? What are various options for building these capabilities? Because every systemic event is unique with respect to its specific pathology—the various triggers and the propagation of effects—the workshop focused on the issues listed above for systemic risk in general rather than for any specific scenario. Thus, by design, the workshop explicitly addressed neither the causes of the current crisis nor policy options for reducing risk, and it attempted to steer clear of some policy issues altogether (such as how to allocate new supervisory responsibilities). More than 40 experts representing diverse perspectives participated in the workshop.