In the popular mind, scientists and engineers have distinct job descriptions but in truth, the distinction is blurry. In the century ahead, engineers will continue to be partners with scientists in the great quest for understanding many unanswered questions of nature and the solar system.

The debate over offshoring of production, transfer of technological capabilities, and potential loss of U.S. competitiveness is a long-running one. Prevailing thinking is that the world is flat that is, innovative capacity is spreading uniformly; as new centers of manufacturing emerge, research and development and new product development follow. Innovation in Global Industries challenges this thinking. This podcast is centered around an interview with Jeffrey T. Macher, one of the editors of this book.

A couple of weeks ago, the National Academies hosted a national convocation to take stock of what has happened since the fall of 2005, when the Academies released its report on the future of American economic competitiveness. This podcast summarizes that meeting and what it means to America's future.

In each age of medicine, an increase in knowledge has led to improved public health. The decisions that guide and shape these advances are profoundly important and often politically charged. Today, health care sits at the top of the nation’s agenda and the Institute of Medicine is here to guide in. In this week's podcast learn about the IOM and its important role.

Efforts to identify new and untapped sources of water have dominated water policy for the past century. And since the mid 1960s there has been an interest in desalination as a process of ensuring fresh drinking water. In this podcast we look at the potential and issues with this process

The African Science Academy Development Initiative of the U.S. National Academies directly engages African academies of science in building their capacity to provide independent, evidence-based advice to their governments and countries on health-related matters.

Movies and TV had depicted a highly sophisticated virtual reality. But what is its true capability and potential? Advancing virtual reality is one of the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering identified by the National Academy of Engineering with input from people from around the world.

Florida's Everglades is like no other place on earth. However, the Everglades have been drastically changed by urban and agricultural development. This podcast looks at the work being done to restore the Everglades and what that means.

A devastatingly large number of people in America cannot read as well as they need for success in life. With literacy problems plaguing as many as four in ten children in America, this podcast discusses how best to help children succeed in reading.

Solar energy provides less than 1% of the world's total energy but has the potential to provide much more. This podcast explores the potential of solar energy and its challenges. Making solar energy economical is one of the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering identified by the National Academy of Engineering with input from people from around the world.