Alternative Energy/Original emails with Dr. Robin Hayes

Original Reply

Dear Mr. Bauer,

Thank you for your inquiry. The EFRCs’ primary mission is to pursue the fundamental understanding necessary to accelerate the rate of scientific breakthroughs needed to create advanced energy technologies for the 21st century. Although there is the expectation that transformative ideas and approaches will arise from these centers in the long term, the nature of basic research is not amenable to establishing specific timelines to commercialization. Results are expected to be documented in the open scientific literature via publications in peer-reviewed archival journals and elsewhere. Patents and intellectual property are treated no differently than any other fundamental research we support; the detailed treatment of these is specific to the institutions receiving the awards. The EFRC management team, within DOE’s Office of Basic Energy Science, will work with the appropriate applied energy offices as needed to help recognize and identify support for commercializable technologies. Good luck with your study.

Sincerely,

Robin Hayes

_________________________________________

Robin Hayes, PhD

AAAS Fellow

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

U.S. Department of Energy

SC.22 Germantown Building

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20585-1290

Follow Up

Hello again Dr. Hayes,

Upon reflection I actually had a few follow up questions if you don't mind. I really appreciate your help.

1. Is there any coordination among the centers that is suggested/mandated by the DoE?

2. Do the DoE/BES ask the centers to communicate/coordinate in any fashion with each other or with the DoE/BES? Such as meetings/conferences/workshops? I spoke with one EFRC leader and I believe he was saying that there are meetings that bring together all of the EFRC directors for updates to each other and the DoE/BES. Is that correct?

3. Do the DoE/BES ask/suggest that the Centers grant research exemptions for the other centers-grantees?

4. You mentioned that the centers are expected to publish their research in open scientific literature. Is there any expectation or rule that the results be published in open access databases like the NIH has been mandating?

Thank you again for your time.

Regards,

Silas Bauer

Answers to above questions

Dear Mr. Bauer,

The 46 EFRCs are actively managed by a team of program managers in the Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Some activities include monthly phone conferences with subgroups of EFRC directors, periodic Director’s meetings, and a scientific forum. More information about the management of the EFRCs can be found in a presentation given to the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee last July (http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/BESAC/Meetings.html#0923; item 4: “EFRC Update”). Several of the centers are already holding joint meetings and summer schools. We anticipate more of these collaborative efforts will arise as the centers mature. The guideline for publication is the same as all other research funded by us; investigators may choose where to publish to best reach the appropriate scientific community.

Sincerely,

Robin Hayes _________________________________________

Robin Hayes, PhD

AAAS Fellow

Office of Basic Energy Sciences

U.S. Department of Energy

SC.22 Germantown Building

1000 Independence Avenue, SW

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