latimes.com: Werner J. A. Dahm, 52, is the chief scientist for the US Air Force, and his job is to separate promising ideas from the stuff of Star Trek.He advises generals in an era of tightening research and development budgets which scientific innovations are worth pursuing—or not.Weapons systems take decades to develop and accrue powerful advocates along the way. Dahm’s mission is to judge the technology early on and independent of any advocates. Sometimes it means disappointing those in charge.The LA Times takes a look at a day in the life of the US Air Force’s chief scientist.