ABSTRACT
The “research,” like the term “scientist,” conjures up images of white laboratory coats, test tubes, microscopes, and other paraphernalia coupled with a detached, slightly absent-minded group of practitioners, dedicated seekers of truth unaffected by work-a-day demands. The stereotype of the applied researcher has been altered to include a variant, the researcher who is expected to produce results to order. He is the on-demand problem solver. The federal response to two great “crises,” environment and energy, have exemplified the new faith in on-demand research. With respect to the environment, goals were mandated by the Congress, and money was appropriated to purchase the technology needed to meet the standards that had been set. The Energy Research and Development Administration, emerged as one institutional response to the energy dilemma. This agency was given the mission to perform or sponsor research and development creating alternative energy sources. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
