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Perspective By Jane M. Sanders |
"The horizon leans forward, offering you space to place new
steps of change," wrote American poet Maya Angelou.
At Georgia Tech, the 20th century has offered a broad horizon
with plenty of space for change — both in the realm of basic
scientific discovery and in technological innovation. Many
scientists and engineers have filled that space with revealing
and relevant research. Change has resulted, much of it advancing
a modern society that now depends heavily upon its scientists and
engineers for betterment.
As the century ends, Research Horizons pauses in this issue
to examine the horizon — the accomplishments found on the one we
are passing and the hopes of the frontier that is now before us.
In the spring of this year, we solicited suggestions from
faculty and administrators via our campus email distribution
system. They responded with lists highlighting some of the best
research done at Georgia Tech in the 20th century — most of it
in the past four decades because of the university's young, yet
significant history in research.
From faculty and administration responses, we chose 26
projects to write about in this issue of Research Horizons. Some
are basic scientific discoveries, such as those in chaos theory,
and others are technological innovations, such as a structural
design software program that is used worldwide.
Survey respondents also provided the magazine with lists of
research projects that hold great promise for the 21st century.
We have covered many of those in recent issues. Here, we list
these projects and, where available, provide links to Web sites
with more information on them.
As exhaustive as all this information may sound, there are
many more noteworthy research projects not mentioned in this
issue. Memories fail. Space is limited. Time is tight. Perhaps
future issues of Research Horizons can give these projects their
due.
Now, leaning forward on the 21st century's horizon, patches of
blue dot the Georgia Tech sky. Those patches pierce the clouds
that try to obstruct our view. We are beginning to see the vast
space where our feet must step to bring change.
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