Media Advisory 09-019
National Science Foundation Presents a Luncheon Briefing and Open-House Exhibits on Cyber-physical Systems On Capitol Hill

July 6, 2009

On Thursday, July 9, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will present a luncheon briefing and open house with exhibits on cyber-physical systems (CPS) in Room 902 of the Hart Senate Office Building.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. a special guest, will provide opening remarks. Senator John D. Rockefeller IV is also invited to attend. Leading experts from industry and academia will offer their insights into the impending CPS revolution. Researchers and students, ranging from doctoral students to students from Baltimore-area high schools, will present demonstrations and exhibits highlighting the latest research and education on CPS.

Cyber-physical systems are "smart" technologies that are beginning to transform our lives. Today's research will lead to tomorrow's autonomous, smart vehicles for safe transportation; homes filled with smart appliances; intelligent, earthquake resistant buildings and bridges; robots that assist us at home, at work, and at play; and unobtrusive assistive technology for healthier living.

Cyber-physical systems technologies will affect sectors critical to our wellbeing, security and competitiveness, including aerospace, automotive, chemical production, civil infrastructure, energy, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, materials and transportation.

The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. ET to 2:00 p.m. ET. The planned agenda is as follows:

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m: Exhibits

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m: Luncheon Briefing

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m: Exhibits

Speakers for the event include:

Arden L. Bement, Jr.
Director, NSF

Cora B. Marrett
Acting Deputy Director, NSF

Jeannette Wing
Assistant Director for Computer & Information Science and Technology, NSF

Don C. Winter
Vice President, Engineering & Information Technology, Boeing Phantom Works

Julian M. Goldman
Medical Director of Partners HealthCare System Biomedical Engineering

Sponsors for the event include the Coalition for National Science Funding, the Computing Research Association, the American Chemical Society's Science & the Congress Project and the Association for Computing Machinery.

We regret that due to space limitations, lunch will not be available for members of the media, however, speakers and presenters will be available for interviews on request.

For more information, please contact Dana Cruikshank at (703) 292-7738 or dcruiksh@nsf.gov.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Dana W. Cruikshank, NSF (703) 292-7738 dcruiksh@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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