Abstract
Whereas the R&D process of convergence of knowledge and technology has been largely reactive or coincidental in the past, there is a growing realization among the world’s scientific communities that to take best advantage of scientific innovation trends and govern them appropriately, there must be a more proactive, focused effort to support convergence, and that investments in innovative technology development must more effectively both engage and benefit society and also take into consideration equity and sustainability concerns. This chapter describes a framework and means to effectively focus societal support for convergence. A “science of convergence” will help to accomplish these goals and promote valuable technological and societal synergies based on higher-level scientific languages, a holistic view of society, updated governance models, and vision-inspired basic research that is geared to societal benefit. Creativity and innovation are enhanced by the circuit of information and ideas between various platforms of the human activity system. As exchanges happen faster and between larger domains within the platforms, the foundation for creativity, innovation, and economic and societal benefit broadens. This is a global phenomenon.
Corresponding editors M.C. Roco (mroco@nsf.gov) and W.S. Bainbridge (wbainbri@nsf.gov).
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Notes
- 1.
An example is the project Knowledge Politics and New Converging Technologies; A Social Science Perspective, funded by the European Commission under Priority 7 of the 6th Framework Programme; http://converging-technologies.org/
- 2.
For example, the Kurchatov Institute Centre of Nano-, Bio-, Info-, and Cognitive Sciences and Technologies in Moscow, http://www.kiae.ru/e/nbic.html. The Kurchatov Institute is Russia’s National Research Center
- 3.
For example, see “NBIC–New Opportunity for China,” the National Natural Science Foundation of China, http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/Portal0/InfoModule_584/37502.htm
- 4.
The IRGC White Paper on Nanotechnology Risk Governance (Renn and Roco 2006) notes that in the fourth generation of nanotechnology products and production process (after 2014/2020), “NBIC convergence will play an increased role” and addresses some of those issues, including their sociological components.
- 5.
Examples of U.S. Big Data initiatives in 2012 are at DOD http://www.DefenseInnovationMarketplace.mil; at DARPA http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2012/03/29.aspx: at DOE http://science.energy.gov/news/ ; at HHS/NIH http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2012/nhgri-29.htm; at NSF http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=123607; and at USGS http://powellcenter.usgs.gov
- 6.
In general terms, the “gap” is the normally underfunded period in the evolution of a new technology development between the time it is funded at the R&D level and the time, when applied in a startup business, that it successfully attracts adequate commercial investment funding and/or becomes a profitable enterprise.
- 7.
Thrust leaders include Mike Hochella (nanoscale science and engineering), Marc Edwards (sustainable water), Jeff Reed (cognitive communications), and Naren Ramakrishnan (discovery analytics).
- 8.
This number does not include faculty supported in earlier years or through provision of laboratory space, equipment, etc.
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Roco, M.C. et al. (2013). Methods to Improve and Expedite Convergence. In: Roco, M., Bainbridge, W., Tonn, B., Whitesides, G. (eds) Convergence of Knowledge, Technology and Society. Science Policy Reports. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02204-8_4
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