[mesamb1]

That is alot of thoughts on the new robot fund.
First thing, could you entertain the idea that the age of aerospace technology during World War II perhaps made it poised to expand. American filled patent for a car with an internal combustion engine, 1879. Thirty years latter, Henry Ford start to boom. Thirty years after the Wright brothers just happens to hit when world war II was(and there are other technologies that follow a similar timeline)
Second, science is highly unprofitable. That doesnt mean it isnt a great carrier(yet to meet a scientist who doesnt enjoy the science, but plenty who hate the paperwork). However, it has a nasty habit of being unpredictable. If you knew how to get next generation materials, then you would not need to discover them. Instead, you have to hope you get results that lead to a solution. Private companies are run by business men who want results now this quarter or it isnt worth it. Bureaucrats tend to understand that the project wont necessarily yield a result.
Industry also doesnt want to move faster then the market place, example what you call current laptop batteries we all developed in the late 80s. Why is lithium polymer just hitting shelves? cause they could still sell you lithium ion.
There is alot of new frontiers, you could start with why there is gravity period. there also seems to be alot we dont understand about HIV, or bacteria that lives in volcanoes, or the properties of blackholes.
Perhaps the focus should return to existing projects, but it is very promising that the president is taking time to personally address robotics. Every bit of support helps, and it sounds like some pretty awesome programs will benefit as a result.