Science and Technology

RAND research on science and technology serves a mix of clients, including federal agencies, state, and other government entities, businesses, and foundations. Much of this research is conducted within the Transportation, Space, and Technology program of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment. View all Science and Technology Documents Available Online or find general information at Reports and Bookstore.

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Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar — Oct. 8, 2009

Rather than threatening to punish offenders, the U.S. must focus its efforts on defending critical civilian and military computer networks from cyber attack.

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Shaping Tomorrow Today: Near-Term Steps Towards Long-Term Goals — Aug. 13, 2009

The RAND Frederick S. Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition recently hosted a workshop that gave analysts and policymakers from many countries a collaborative opportunity to explore new methods and tools that can help improve long-term decisionmaking.

Full Document RAND Frederick S. Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition

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RAND Tracks Worldwide Terrorism Attacks in Database Project — Jan. 14, 2009

The Database of Worldwide Terrorism Incidents defines and categorizes terrorist attacks in order to help analysts, policymakers, and practitioners understand general trends in the threat. It is based on over 30 years of research by analysts at RAND and is now offering institutional subscriptions.

October 9, 2009: Innovation Means More Than Something New, By Elizabeth A. McGlynn (Economist.com)

October 8, 2009: U.S. Must Focus on Protecting Critical Computer Networks from Cyber Attack

September 25, 2009: Green Buildings, Jobs and Summits, By Charles P. Ries (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

September 17, 2009: Capitalism Still Works: Our Economy Will Recover Because We Are Innovators and Entrepreneurs, By Krishna B. Kumar (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

July 14, 2009: Alabama's Challenge: Better Prepared Workforce, By Melissa Flournoy (Montgomery Advertiser)

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Oil Shale Development in the United States: Prospects and Policy Issues

In the early 1980s, industry and government took a hard look at the economics of extracting oil from vast deposits of shale that lie beneath the western United States. Oil prices subsided, and interest waned. With oil prices spiking and global demand showing no signs of abating, reexamining the economics of oil shale makes sense. In this report, the authors describe oil shale resources; suitability, cost, and performance of new technologies; and key policy issues that need to be addressed by government decisionmakers in the near future.

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The Global Technology Revolution 2020, Executive Summary

In 2020, areas of particular importance for technology trends will include biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials technology, and information technology. The authors of this report assessed a sample of 29 countries across the spectrum of scientific advancement (low to high) with respect to their ability to acquire and implement 16 key technology applications.

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