An earlier article derived the Knowledge Investment Curve. [3]

Information sharing is an integral part of the R&D process. Thus, decision makers affect the pace of scientific progress when they determine the fraction of R&D dollars dedicated to sharing knowledge. Think of it this way: A program for sharing knowledge derived from scientific research has much in common with a scientific research program itself in that they share the common goal of advancing science.  When decision makers of R&D programs discuss optimum funding for research, their decisions are driven by affordability. Similarly, there is an optimum investment in sharing research results as conceptually suggested by the Knowledge Investment Curve [3]. And just as for research itself, the optimum investment is not the minimum.

The OSTI Corollary – If the sharing of knowledge is accelerated, discovery is accelerated – explains why we at OSTI are constantly striving to share more science with more people faster and more conveniently than ever before.