Issues for Science and Engineering Researchers in the Digital Age

Abstract

The advance of information technology presents enormous opportunities in the conduct of research. In many ways, today's electronic tools of communication and computing make possible heightened productivity and creativity. At the same time, use of these tools challenges many of the traditions of academic research, including its ethical standards, the role of collaboration among colleagues, and the relationship between student and teacher. These challenges are sharpened by the sheer speed with which these tools have penetrated society and the academic professions. Until the mid-1990s, electronic mail and remotely accessed databases primarily were used by a few specialists whose professional interests outweighed the clumsiness and slowness of the interfaces. Today these tools are so powerful and easy to use that they are all but de rigeur for most academic disciplines. Tomorrow they will be universal, viewed as necessities. In the meantime, applications of information technology grow rapidly more sophisticated and automated, adding media and capabilities that open up new ways of learning, communicating, and creating knowledge. Scientists and engineers may be concerned about the broader implications of these changes, including how they may affect and possibly threaten existing norms and conventions defining good scientific research prac

The evolution of Materials Acceleration Platforms: toward the laboratory of the future with AMANDA

“…The potential for automation as a disruptive technology to greatly accelerate materials science has been recognized for years [7]. Several programs like the Materials Genome Initiative [8] (MGI) and the Clean Energy Materials Innovation Challenge [9] target faster material development and commercialization by introducing automation into the field of materials science.…”

“…The pipetting tips (1), substrate carriers (2), vial holders (3), spin coater (4) and trash bins (5) are located on the pipetting robots working area. The gripper(6) and pipetting channels(7) of the pipetting robot are also shown. Additionally, there is a transport robot (8), hot plates for thermal annealing (9), waiting positions for substrate carriers (10), the UV-Vis spectrometer and the inspection camera(12).…”