Physical Sciences, Systems, and Infrastructure Program Area
This program area sets research priorities, highlights critical future directions, and develops policy innovations to advance mathematical and physical sciences, energy systems, engineering and manufacturing, infrastructure and facilities, and defense and intelligence.
In progress
Any project, supported or not by a committee, that is currently being worked on or is considered active, and will have an end date.
Bundle of network cables during data transmission. 3d illustration.
News and Updates
The Current Status and Future Direction of High-Magnetic-Field Science and Technology in the United States — New Report
Media Advisory
Over the past decade, Europe, Japan, and China have steadily increased their scientific capacity in high-magnetic-field science, but similar growth has not occurred in the United States. A new National Academies report recommends ways for the U.S. to support and drive innovation in the field.
Exploring the New Nuclear Energy Landscape
Feature Story
The energy industry in the U.S. is undergoing rapid change, and the needs of “hyperscalers” and others have led to a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy. A recent workshop brought together experts in tech, policymaking, finance, and community engagement to discuss what comes next.
Recent Publications
U.S. Army Next Generation Armor: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Workshop_in_brief
2025
2024 Assessment of the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory
Consensus
2025
Failure Analysis of the Arecibo Observatory 305-Meter Telescope Collapse
Consensus
2024
Innovations in Catalysis to Address Modern Challenges: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Workshop_in_brief
2023
Challenges in Federal Facility Control System Cyber Security, Including Level 0 and 1 Devices
2023
Strategies to Renew Federal Facilities
Consensus
2023