Robert Hummel, PhD, is Chief Scientist and Vice President of Policy Research at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.  In comments to Chemical and Engineering News, he talked about the Department of Defense's evolving approach to scientific research.  The Department faces numerous challenges, including shrinking budgets and the need to deploy new technologies more quickly. It's also working to improve communications between the lab and the field.  Says Dr. Hummel, “Basic researchers need to understand better the kinds of applications that their research could conceivably lead to, and developers need to understand more about the leading-edge basic science, what is possible, and what still needs some fundamental breakthroughs.”  Click here to read the article in full.