DURHAM, N.C. — Half of all Americans expect another country to emerge this century as the world’s leader in addressing technological challenges that range from the economy to global warming, according to a survey of U.S. public opinion released Tuesday by Duke University. Although only 34 percent of Americans gave themselves a grade of A or B for understanding ‘the world of engineers and what they do,’ 72 percent nonetheless expect the technological advancements of the 21st century to surpass those of the previous century. However, only 49 percent predict the United States will lead the way in producing these advances, according to the survey of 808 adults carried out Jan. 22-25 by Hart Research Associates. Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering commissioned the survey, ‘Americans’ Attitudes Toward Engineering and Engineering Challenges,’ for a national summit on engineering ‘grand challenges’ it is co-hosting March 2-3 in Durham. Americans with more education are even less optimistic about the likelihood the United States will be the world’s technological leader in the 21st century. China was cited by 20 percent of all the respondents as being most likely to assume this position, followed by Japan and Europe at 10 percent each, […]