The interdisciplinary laboratory program in materials sciences

SEP 01, 1962

“Without further argument it will, we think, be admitted that the sciences are none of them separately evolved—are none of them independent either logically or historically; but that all of them have, in a greater or less degree, required aid and reciprocated it. Indeed, it needs but to throw aside hypotheses, and contemplate the mixed character of surrounding phenomena, to see at once that these notions of division and succession in the kinds of knowledge are simply scientific fictions; good, if regarded merely as aids to study; bad, if regarded as representing realities in Nature. No facts, whatever are presented to our senses uncombined with other facts—no facts whatever but are in some degree disguised by accompanying facts—disguised in such a manner that all must be partially understood before any one can be understood.”

DOI: 10.1063/1.3058384

Charles F. Yost

Earl C. Vicars

IT seems particularly timely to offer a broad discussion of the background and implementation of the Interdisciplinary Materials Sciences Program of the Advanced Research Projects Agency. It is one which is unique in many respects and has attracted considerable interest within the scientific community. It is revolutionary in character, and there have been numerous inquiries concerning the program from the agencies of the government as well as from industry, research institutes, and university personnel engaged in or associated with materials research. Our purpose is to present some of the fundamental aspects of the program and to provide an insight from which the philosophy, objectives, and implementation will become a coherent pattern.

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More about the authors

Charles F. Yost, Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Earl C. Vicars, Advanced Research Projects Agency.