The following examples illustrate general differences between basic and applied research and experimental development in the natural sciences and engineering.
The study of a given class of polymerisation reactions under various conditions is basic research. The attempt to optimise one of these reactions with respect to the production of polymers with given physical or mechanical properties (making it of particular utility) is applied research. Experimental development then consists of “scaling up” the process that has been optimised at the laboratory level and investigating and evaluating possible methods of producing the polymer as well as products to be made from it.
The modelling of a crystal’s absorption of electromagnetic radiation is basic research. The study of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation by this material under varying conditions (for instance, temperature, impurities, concentration, etc.) to obtain given properties of radiation detection (sensitivity, rapidity, etc.) is applied research. Testing a new device using this material in order to obtain a better detector of radiation than those already
existing (in the spectral range considered) is experimental development.
The development of a new method for the classification of immunoglobulin sequences is basic research. Investigations undertaken in an effort to distinguish between antibodies for various diseases is applied research. Experimental development then consists of devising a method for synthesizing the antibody for a particular disease on the basis of knowledge of its structure and clinical tests of the effectiveness of the synthesised antibody on patients
who have agreed to accept an experimental advanced treatment.
A study about how the properties of carbon fibres could change according to their relative position and orientation within a structure is basic research. The conceptualisation of a method to allow for processing carbon fibres at industrial level with a degree of precision at the nano-scale could be the outcome of some applied research. Testing the use of new composite materials for different purposes is experimental development.
Controlling material processes in the domain where quantum effects occur is an objective to be pursued through basic research. Developing materials and components for inorganic and organic light-emitting diodes for improved efficiency and cost reduction is applied research. Experimental development could be aimed at identifying applications for advanced diodes and incorporating them in consumer devices.
Searching for alternative methods of computation, such as quantum computation and quantum information theory, is basic research. Investigation into the application of information processing in new fields or in new ways (e.g. developing a new programming language, new operating systems, program generators, etc.) and investigation into the application of information processing to develop tools such as geographical information and expert systems are applied research. Development of new applications software and
substantial improvements to operating systems and application programmes are experimental development.
The study of sources of all kinds (manuscripts, documents, monuments, works of art, buildings, etc.) in order to better comprehend historical phenomena (the political, social, cultural development of a country, the biography of an individual, etc.) is basic research. Comparative analysis of archaeological sites and/or monuments displaying similarities and other common characteristics (e.g. geographic, architectural, etc.) to understand
interconnections of potential relevance to teaching material and museum displays is applied research. The development of new instruments and methods for studying artefacts and natural objects recovered through archaeological endeavours (e.g. for the age-dating of bones or botanic remains) is experimental development.
In agricultural sciences and forestry:
● Basic research: Researchers investigate genome changes and mutagenic factors in plants to understand their effects on the phenome. Researchers investigate the genetics of the species of plants in a forest in an attempt to understand natural controls for disease or pest resistance.
● Applied research: Researchers investigate wild potato genomes to locate the genes responsible for resistance to potato blight in an effort to improve the disease resistance in domestic/crop potatoes. Researchers plant experimental forests where they alter the spacing and alignment of the trees to reduce the spread of disease while ensuring the optimum arrangement for maximum yield.
● Experimental development: Researchers create a tool for gene editing by using knowledge of how enzymes edit DNA. Researchers use existing research on a specific plant species to create a plan for improving how a company plants its forests to achieve a specific goal.
In nanotechnology:
● Basic research: Researchers study the electrical properties of graphene by using a scanning tunnelling microscope to investigate how electrons move in the material in response to voltage changes.
● Applied research: Researchers study microwaves and thermal coupling with nanoparticles to properly align and sort carbon nanotubes.
● Experimental development: Researchers use research in micromanufacturing to develop a portable and modular micro-factory system with components that are each a key part of an assembly line.
In computer and information sciences:
● Basic research: Research on the properties of general algorithms for handling large amounts of real-time data.
● Applied research: Research to find ways to reduce the amount of spam by understanding the whole structure or business model of spam, what spammers do, and their motivations in spamming.
● Experimental development: A start-up company takes code developed by researchers and develops the business case for the resulting software product for improved on-line marketing.
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