Findings and Recommendations - Implications of Emerging Micro-and Nanotechnologies - page 201

aging. Self-assembly and directed assembly of dissimilar elements will be
necessary to maximize the functionality of many micro- and nanoscale struc-
tures, devices, and systems. Achievement of high yields and long-term reli-
ability, comparable to those of the current integrated circuit industry, will be
a major challenge.
Recommendation T7. The Air Force should monitor progress in self- and
directed-assembly research and selectively invest its R&D resources. It will
be critical for the Air Force to participate in developing manufacturing
processes that result in reliable systems in technology areas where the mili-
tary is the dominant customer—for example, in sensors and propulsion sys-
tems. Developments in many of these areas will be driven by the commercial
sector. The Air Force must stay aware of advances and apply them to its
unique needs. As an example, in sensor applications a wide range of other-
wise incompatible materials and fabrication processes is likely to be neces-
sary.
Finding T8. Four overarching themes emerge from the advance of micro-
and nanotechnologies—increased information capabilities, miniaturization,
new engineered materials, and increased functionality/autonomy. These
themes could have a significant military impact by enabling new systems
approaches to Air Force missions.
Recommendation T8. The Air Force should continue to examine new sys-
tems opportunities that may emerge from the successful development of mi-
cro- and nanotechnologies and use these studies to help focus its applied
research and development investments in these technologies.
Policy
The Air Force critically depends on advanced technology to accomplish its
missions. In order to maintain the nation's competitive technology advantage
over the long term, the Air Force must maintain a stable, robust, and effective
RDT&E program. The Air Force is currently underinvesting in this critical area
and has not maintained the stability necessary for sustained progress, thereby
shortchanging its future and that of the nation (P1). An important new develop-
ment is that the commercial sector now overshadows the military market. This
means that product development is driven by commercial, not military, require-
ments. The DoD cannot, however, rely solely on commercial R&D and products
to satisfy its needs (P2). Micro- and nanotechnologies are going to play a signifi-
cant role in future Air Force systems, as detailed in the technical sections of this
report (the basis for findings and recommendations T1-T8 above). The Air Force