Research
http://www.technopolis.co.uk/downloads/362_Svenergy_Final_030625.pdf
This report from Technopolis takes an interesting approach, combining research on science and technology with policy evaluation. The study investigates and evaluates the Swedish long range energy research, which was initiated in 1997 and focused on hydropower, nuclear power and oil. Through interviews and case studies, the researchers highlight the social and economic complexities of the Swedish energy program. Technopolis is a group of European organisations based in Amsterdam, Brighton, Paris, Stockholm, and Vienna that provide "high quality, practical, knowledge-based research, advice and management support services to policy makers and those responsible for putting policy into practice." [VF]
Technology Policy and Assessment Center (TPAC) at Georgia Institute of Technology performs "interdisciplinary research and analysis on technology-intensive issues." Sample projects include the High Tech Indicators Survey, which is used to generate indicators of national technological competitiveness, and a study that identified eight factors affecting managerial use of technology. The findings of this latter study were used to develop an interactive evaluative instrument, available on this website, which analysts and managers can use to assess the utilization prospects of their product. The TPAC website also profiles Hot Technologies, including overviews of who is doing the research, how much research is taking place and the prospects for technologies within the topic area. [VF]
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/website/index.aspx
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funds research and training in the UK in engineering and the physical sciences. Viewing public engagement as important for stimulating interest in research, inspiring future generations of researchers and, "helping the research base evolve in tune with the changing needs of a more informed society," the EPSRC also promotes public awareness of science and engineering, providing a good deal of resources and links online. Research reports and briefs from some of the collaborating institutions' work on a wide range of research projects in engineering, the physical sciences and mathematics are all available in the Publications section. Other sections describe activities for young people and teachers, and research opportunities for graduate students. [VF]
http://www.fas.org/dh/index.html
The Digital Human is an Open Source Software Consortium that uses information technology tools to simulate and represent the body's processes, such as the functions of DNA molecules and proteins to cells, tissues, organs, and gross anatomy. In an effort to develop a community where researchers can share their work, the website provides links to various research centers and their work on simulations, visualizations and engineering models. Another aspect of the consortium is "to allow biomedical researchers and computer scientists to work effectively together to develop a language that will allow this to happen." Proceedings from conferences addressing these issues are available from this website. [VF]
http://www.fas.org/housing/index.html
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) hosts this website providing information on housing technology both locally and internationally. They highlight new materials and design methods that may "result in attractive, safe and highly efficient homes that can be built affordably in Afghanistan and around the world, including the U.S." The website highlights housing technologies in Afghanistan and nearby regions, and provides information on the designs developed by members of the Federation of American Scientist's Housing Technology group. [VF]
http://www.rand.org/scitech/stpi/
On this website, the Science and Technology Policy Institute at the RAND Corporation provides an historical overview of their work from 1992 to 2003. Included here are overviews of projects, events and links to publications in research areas including Science and Technology, Health and the Environment, Space and Transportation, Public Safety, Security, as well as Critical Infrastructure Protection, Education, and Training. Short biographies of past directors and associates are also available in this archive. A search function allows visitors to search for particular RAND studies or topics of interest. [VF]
Foresight is a UK government supported program aimed "to increase UK exploitation of science." The Foresight program highlights either a key issue where science holds promise, or an area "where the potential applications and technologies have yet to be considered and/or articulated more broadly." The current projects are: Brain Science, Addiction and Drugs, Cyber Trust and Crime Prevention, Exploiting the Electromagnetic Spectrum, and Flood and Coastal Defence. Each project website includes sections offering a project description, reports and publications, news and events, and links to related websites. [VF]
http://www.rsc.org/is/journals/current/jem/jempub.htm
The Journal of Environmental Monitoring offers several articles free online in HTML and pdf formats. The articles include "primary research papers on all aspects of contaminant measurement relating to the ambient, indoor and workplace environments with a view to assessing exposure, environmental impact and health risks" and theoretical, fundamental and applied papers on a variety of topics in environmental monitoring. Visitors can sign up for email alerts on particular topics and search for articles of interest.
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