About

The Frontiers of Engineering program brings together through 2-1/2 day meetings a select group of emerging engineering leaders from industry, academe, and government labs to discuss pioneering technical work and leading edge research in various engineering fields and industry sectors. The goal of the meetings is to introduce these outstanding engineers (ages 30-45) to each other, and through this interaction facilitate collaboration in engineering, the transfer of new techniques and approaches across fields, and establishment of contacts among the next generation of engineering leaders.

There are four Frontiers of Engineering (FOE) meetings every year: the U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium held each year and a rotating schedule of FOE meetings with Germany, Japan, India, China, and the European Union. 

Each Frontiers symposium covers four topics that vary from year to year. Examples from past symposia include: visualization for design and display, nanotechnology, advanced materials, robotics, simulation in manufacturing, energy and the environment, optics, intelligent transportation systems, MEMS, design research, bioengineering, counter-terrorism technologies, and quantum computing. Following each talk, there is substantial time devoted to discussion. In addition, breakout sessions, poster sessions, and other events offer ample opportunity for informal exchange among the participants. An alumni program supports continuing contact among the participants. Attendees find the programs useful and unique in their ability to bring together a diverse group for the purpose of exchanging information about engineering developments and challenges across disciplines.