Adequacy of the Current State of Basic Research 



Fundamental research of the past provides a substantial 

 foundation for planning and implementing the overall R&D program 

 in energy. The results of such research, moreover, have provided the 

 basis for several energy-related technologies that are now operational 

 and constitute parts of the extant national energy system. Fission- 

 energy technology and low-BTU gas conversion techniques are but 

 two of the many areas in which basic research has had such a role. 

 There are various other energy-related areas and technologies which 

 require little if any additional basic research. These include surface and 

 underground mining of coal and shale; coal and shale processing and 

 combustion; oil and gas recovery; advanced air and nuclear ships 

 transportation systems; and assessment of energy resources. 



For several other areas, the science base is "moderately"adequate, 

 but further basic research appears to be needed. These include oil- 

 shale mining and reclamation; coal liquefaction; some energy- 

 conversion techniques (e.g., high temperature gas turbines and use of 

 waste heat); and some transportation systems (e.g., rail). In the case of 

 coal liquefaction, for example, the development of reliable techniques 

 depends upon vigorous research in catalysis, organic chemistry, sulfur 

 chemistry, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and materials. 



Significant advances in basic knowledge, however, are required in 

 respect to certain energy technologies. Among these are the 

 distribution and storage of energy; magnetohydrodynamics; 

 geothermal energy; solar energy; and fusion energy. In regard to the 

 latter, for example, fusion reactors depend on certain plasma behavior 

 under conditions that have not yet been established in the laboratory. 



The National Energy R&D Program Plan calls for substantial 

 basic research in connection with each of the five major tasks cited 

 above. The Program Goal of the basic research effort is: 



To explore basic phenomena, processes, and techniques in 

 those physical, chemical, biological, environmental, and social 

 sciences areas bearing on energy and to ensure the 

 development of new basic knowledge in these areas. 



Such research may often suggest new lines of development not 

 contemplated at the time the overall program was first defined. Thus, 

 if the technologies now sought should prove inadequate, the research 

 may lead to other approaches having a greater probability of success. 

 Basic research, therefore, increases the chances that present concepts 

 and approaches will be developed successfully and, at the same time, 

 provides a basis for new directions if needed. 



The necessary basic research in energy-related areas covers a 

 broad spectrum of disciplines and subjects: materials research. 



43 



