Midsize Facilities

Most of the instruments now used for materials research are too complex and expensive for individual investigators to own, operate, and maintain them. Consequently, they have become increasingly consolidated into multi-user, small to midsized research facilities, located at many sites around the country. The proliferation of these facilities, however, has drawn calls for a careful assessment of best principles for their operation. With support from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, the NRC carried out a study to characterize and discuss ways to optimize investments in materials research facility infrastructure with attention to midsize facilities. This report provides an assessment of the nature and importance of mid-sized facilities, their capabilities, challenges they face, current investment, and optimizing their effectiveness.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Nature and Importance of Midsize Facilities2. Key Features and Capabilities of Midsize Facilities3. Challenges for Midsize Facilities4. Investment in Midsize Facilities5. Optimizing the Effectiveness of Midsize FacilitiesAppendix A: Statement of TaskAppendix B: Committee Meeting AgendasAppendix C: Description and Analysis of QuestionnairesAppendix D: Committee’s Interim ReportAppendix E: Report of a Site Visit TeamAppendix F: Selected Federal Programs that Support Midsize FacilitiesAppendix G: Summary of NSF Workshop on Chemical InstrumentationAppendix H: Personal Perspectives from Howard K. BirnbaumAppendix I: Committee Member and Staff Biographies