Engineering innovation plays a crucial role in shaping our society and driving progress. As an engineer, the aspiration to contribute to engineering innovation involves several key aspects:
Solving complex problems: Engineers aspire to tackle intricate challenges and find innovative solutions. They apply scientific principles, technical expertise, and creativity to develop novel approaches that can address pressing issues in various fields, such as technology, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and more.
Advancing technology: Engineers aim to push the boundaries of technology and drive advancements in various industries. They strive to improve existing systems, develop new technologies, and create disruptive innovations that can revolutionize how we live, work, and interact with the world.
Sustainable development: With growing concerns about environmental impact and resource scarcity, engineers aspire to develop sustainable solutions. They focus on designing eco-friendly technologies, renewable energy systems, efficient infrastructure, and environmentally conscious practices to minimize our ecological footprint and ensure a more sustainable future.
Enhancing quality of life: Engineering innovation is driven by the aspiration to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. Engineers work on projects that enhance accessibility, safety, healthcare, transportation, communication, and other aspects of daily life, aiming to create positive social impact and improve the well-being of people worldwide.
Collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches: Engineers recognize the value of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in driving innovation. They aspire to work across different fields, such as science, technology, design, and business, to leverage diverse perspectives and create holistic solutions that address multifaceted challenges.
By embracing these aspirations, engineers can contribute to the advancement of society, foster sustainable development, and shape a better future through their innovative contributions.
2. Innovation Definition(s)
• Innovation is the complex process of introducing
novel ideas into use or practice - Lemelson/MIT
• Innovation occurs at the intersection of invention
and insight; it’s about application of invention -
Council on Competitiveness
• Knowledge applied to tasks that are new and
different is Innovation – Peter Drucker
• Research is the transformation of money into
knowledge;
Innovation is the transformation of Knowledge
into money – 3M
3. Innovation Theme
• Research in the Science of
Innovation
• Education for Innovation
• Partnerships Opportunities
4. Research on Innovation
• Business Innovation
– Open Source Innovation
• Bell Labs Vs CISCO
• Engineering Model
– Simulation and Modeling of Innovation
Process
• Innovation Policy
7. • What are the critical elements of creativity
and innovation?
• What is the impact of globalization on
creativity and productivity?
• How to predict the likely returns from
future R&D investments?
Science of
Science and Innovation
Policy*
* Kaye Husbands Fealing,
Science of Science Policy Advisor
Social, Behvioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
8. Science of Science and
Innovation Policy
• Three workshops: summer 2006
– The Scientific Basis of Individual and Team Innovation and
Discovery
• memory and analogy mechanisms in creative design processes
– The Social Organization of Science and Science Policy
• interrelationships between inputs, outcome and policies in the
national innovation system
– Knowledge Flows, Business Metrics, and Measurement of
Strategies
• better measures of innovation
• 2007 SBE Draft Solicitation
– Role of ENG?
9. Education for Innovation
• Deshpande Center for Technological
Innovation at MIT
• Kauffman Campuses
– Entrepreneurship Education
• Supplement engineering research RIPE for
Innovation
• Bring innovation practice into classroom
– Help students see themselves as innovators
10. • ‘Industry’ seeks more translational
research
– NSF day with ‘industry’ - San Diego
• GUIRR – 2nd Phase support
• Charge to AdCom sub-committee on
university – industry partnerships
– Identify research needs to overcome
innovation barriers
• Si CMOS
– Proactive matching
• Nine Sigma, InnoCentive
• Role for NSF?
Partnerships
11. • 2007 ERC Solicitation
– Build a culture of innovation in academe
• partnership with industry/practitioners
• engage small innovative firms to carry out
translational research to speed innovation
• Impact of NSB policy on ‘elimination’ of
matching
– new solicitations: GOALI, I/UCRC, ERC
Partnerships
12. Innovation Discussion Topics
• Research on Innovation
– ENG participation in SBE
– Simulation and modeling of innovation
• Education for Innovation
• Innovation through Partnerships
– Implication of new solicitations
• What is the role for ENG?
