Surge Theory is the strategic concept of rapidly scaling resources to meet the demands of a crisis, ensuring readiness and a swift response. It entails understanding the dynamics of mobilization, from manpower to manufacturing, to overcome challenges posed by disasters, conflicts, or peacetime needs, thus safeguarding national security and resilience.

As a nation, we remain ill equipped to handle another shock to our supply chain. While the scars of the global pandemic remain, the responses in the aftermath have been reactionary and do not solve for the underlying root causes.  We seek to expand our understanding of manufacturing and logistics as a system in which there are flows of resources inherent to a complex and constantly changing system. Through this new lens we will investigate the concept of surge and develop new principles for how they can be applied.

Emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), and large data analytics hold tremendous potential to remake the American manufacturing base. However, done so void of collaboration with key stakeholders overlooks critical enabling policies and needed workforce development programs.  The Knudsen Institute was founded upon the realization that technology and policy must be developed in an interdisciplinary nature to establish a truly integrated and resilient domestic manufacturing industrial base capable of meeting surge requirements through applied research, public policy, and workforce development.