ng: Reports on Leading Edge Engineering from the 1996 NAE Symposium on Frontiers of Enginee http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5576.html Pr eface On September 19-21, 1996, the National Academy of Engineering(NAE) convened the Second Annual Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering at the Academies Beckman Center in Irvine. California. This volume is a collec tion of abstracts of the papers presented at that symposium. Its intent is twofold: (1) to describe the content and underpinning philosophy of this unique meeting and (2)to highlight the kinds of pioneering research and technical work being done by some of this countrys emerging leaders in ORIGINS AND GOALS OF THE ACTIVITY The Frontiers of Engineering Symposium series was initiated by the nae Council in 1994, and the first symposium was held in September 1995. The concept for the meeting was borrowed from the National Academy of Sci nces Frontiers of Science program, which brings together scientists ages 30 to 45 to discuss leading-edge research in a variety of scientific disciplines NAE saw several compelling reasons for undertaking a similar activity for Primary among these reasons was the recognition that advances in engi neering are moving increasingly across many facets of the profession. Thus bringing together outstanding young leaders of engineering developments from disparate fields, and challenging them to think about the developments and problems at the frontiers of areas different from their own, may facilitate Copyright National Academy of Sciences. All rights reservedOn September 19–21, 1996, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) convened the Second Annual Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering at the Academies’ Beckman Center in Irvine, California. This volume is a collec￾tion of abstracts of the papers presented at that symposium. Its intent is twofold: (1) to describe the content and underpinning philosophy of this unique meeting and (2) to highlight the kinds of pioneering research and technical work being done by some of this country’s emerging leaders in engineering. ORIGINS AND GOALS OF THE ACTIVITY The Frontiers of Engineering Symposium series was initiated by the NAE Council in 1994, and the first symposium was held in September 1995. The concept for the meeting was borrowed from the National Academy of Sci￾ences’ Frontiers of Science program, which brings together scientists ages 30 to 45 to discuss leading-edge research in a variety of scientific disciplines. NAE saw several compelling reasons for undertaking a similar activity for engineers. Primary among these reasons was the recognition that advances in engi￾neering are moving increasingly across many facets of the profession. Thus, bringing together outstanding young leaders of engineering developments from disparate fields, and challenging them to think about the developments and problems at the frontiers of areas different from their own, may facilitate Preface v Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. Frontiers of Engineering: Reports on Leading Edge Engineering from the 1996 NAE Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering http://www.nap.edu/catalog/5576.html