Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation 2009 (EFRI 2009)

Agency: NSF

URL: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08599/nsf08599.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

   The Directorate for Engineering at the National Science  Foundation has established the Office of Emerging Frontiers in  Research and Innovation (EFRI) to serve a critical role in focusing on important emerging areas in a timely manner. The EFRI   Office is launching a new funding opportunity for interdisciplinary teams of researchers to embark on rapidly advancing frontiers of fundamental engineering research. For this  solicitation, we will consider proposals that aim to investigate emerging frontiers in the following two specific research areas: (1) BioSensing & BioActuation: Interface of Living and Engineered  Systems (BSBA), and (2) Hydrocarbons from Biomass (HyBi).  EFRI seeks proposals with transformative ideas that represent an  opportunity for a significant shift in fundamental engineering knowledge with a strong potential for long term impact on  national needs or a grand challenge. The proposals must also meet  the detailed requirements delineated in this solicitation.   INFORMATION WEBCAST: The EFRI Office plans to hold an information workshop on September 10, 2008, to answer any questions about the  EFRI Office and this solicitation. Details will be posted on the EFRI website (www.nsf.gov/eng/efri ) as they become available.

 BioSensing and BioActuation (BSBA): Interface of Living and Engineered Systems . Advances in informatics, nanotechnology, and deeper understading of biological systems has provided new opportunities to make fundamental advances in sensing and dynamic control of engineered systems.  These advances could lead to the development of intelligent systems that will address a number of national needs including protection of critical and aging infrastructures, early detection and treatment of currently incurable diseases, counterterrorism, and mitigration of environmental hazards and pollution.  BSBA provides an opportunity for partnerships among engineers, biologists, mathematical and physical scientists, and computer scientists to address the key elements of the fundamental research needed to
understand the sensing, actuation and dynamic control employed by living things.  It is expected that research proposals submitted to this solicitation will contribute to the development of a rigorous engineering framework for the design and realization of topically-relevant engineered systems and provide an intellectual framework for education in this emerging area.

Hydrocarbons from Biomass (HyBi)  As world oil reserves diminish and concern over climate change increases, the ability to domestically produce renewable energy for transportation fuels and electricity will have great impact on energy independence, national security, the environment, and jobs for America.  Potentially affordable, sustainable, non-food sources for bioenergy include energy crops such as algae, switchgrass and poplar trees, and forest and agricultural residues; the 2005 “Billion Ton Study” estimated that over 1.3 billion tons per year of  biomass is currently available.  The energy contained in this biomass is equivalent to about 3.8 billion barrels of oil, about one-half of the oil consumed by the U.S. in 2006.  Interdisciplinary research is needed to understand the most effective pathways to convert this biomass into biofuel and biopower that fit into the country's existing energy infrastructure.

Due:  Letter of Intent due Oct. 14, 2008; Preliminary Proposal due Dec. 2, 2008; Full Proposal due April 30, 2009