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From MSNBC.com: Cosmic Log:
Generating cleaner energy and producing cleaner water are among the grand challenges facing engineers over the next century, according to the leaders of the profession. Over the next few months, experts will draw up an official list of Grand Challenges for Engineering - following in the footsteps of projects ranging from the Manhattan Project and the Apollo moon effort to the Ansari X Prize for private spaceflight and the DARPA Grand Challenge for autonomous vehicles.
Although the list isn't yet fully set, it's becoming clear that the grandest challenges ahead will be as hard as those past challenges - not just because they're technically difficult, but also because they require societal shifts as well.
The National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges project began last July, and for months the academy has been soliciting suggestions for endeavors worthy of thrusting into the public eye. Although there are no guarantees, the challenges on the list could spark future initiatives - analogous to the projects previously mentioned, or perhaps efforts such as the Archon Genomics X Prize, the Automotive X Prize or the DARPA Urban Challenge.
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Re: The Grand Challenges Ahead
