
Bridges to the Future Webcast Conference

Popular Mechanics and the National Science Foundation present "Bridges to the Future: A vision for infrastructure in the 21st century," a webcast discussion exploring the best ideas for improving American infrastructure and building a better, safer future. The sessions are all call-in programs, with conversation driven by the questions that come in live from decision makers, the research community and the public.
An archive of this webcast is available at
http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsmedia/bridges08/menu.jsp
Go to popularmechanics.com/rebuildingamerica to continue the discussion on the future of U.S. infrastructure and to submit additional questions to the panelists.
AGENDA

The Smart Grid
12:30 p.m. ET
Second-by-second information sharing among households, utilities and even individual appliances may revolutionize the grids that distribute electricity throughout the country. Panelists explore how to make the grid more resilient and nimble, saving energy and forestalling blackouts.
Panelists include:
Moderator: Jerry Beilinson, Deputy Editor, Popular Mechanics
The transcript of this panel is available. The archived webcast also is available.

Water in 2025
2:30 p.m. ET
Over the next generation, water supplies in the United States will face increasing pressure. Panelists lay out the challenges, which range from leaky municipal water systems to growing populations, and explore technology to ensure that fresh water remains safe and plentiful.
Panelists include:
Moderator: Jennifer Bogo, Science Editor, Popular Mechanics
The transcript of this panel is available. The archived webcast also is available.

Standing Strong
4:30 p.m. ET
It's been half a year since the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed. In that time, there has been fresh debate over how to fix America's bridges and roads. Panelists discuss state-of-the-art building technology and how such ideas should be applied to dams, buildings, roads and more.
Panelists include:
Moderator: Erik Sofge, Contributing Editor, Popular Mechanics
The transcript of this panel is available. The archived webcast also is available.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To attend in person, RSVP to Joshua Chamot, National Science Foundation, jchamot@nsf.gov
(seating is limited), 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230
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