The Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st

The Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st century identified by the NAE re-frame the engineering profession in human facing terms rather than in terms of disciplines or devices. ~Nevertheless, plasmas will play a major role in solving many of these challenges. ~The challenges involve making the world more sustainable, more healthful, more secure and more joyful. ~From the challenge of Provide Clean Water (to nearly a billion people who lack regular access to it), to Provide Energy from Fusion and Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery, plasmas will play an essential role. ~This talk highlights progress on the NAE Grand Challenges and the role that plasmas are playing in addressing them. ~Particular attention will be given to plasma-based particle accelerators and the question of whether they really offer a path to smaller, cheaper accelerators that could impact human health through cancer therapies or enable new discoveries at the high energy frontier. ~