Because future developments in nanomanufacturing are likely to be affected by global economic dynamics and by continuing advances in science and technology, as well as by shifts in policy directions, the objectives of this report are to summarize forum discussions in the following areas:
• The future of nanomanufacturing, as viewed by forum participants: Anticipated developments concerned the future economic importance and societal impact of nanomanufacturing—for example, nanomanufacturing’s prospects for (1) achieving a core capacity that can set the pace for improvements across a wide range of industry sectors (which could result in a wide array of potential societal benefits), and (2) bringing “disruptive innovation” and, potentially, a net gain in jobs.
• U.S. investments in nanotechnology R&D and current challenges to U.S. competitiveness in nanomanufacturing: Presentations and discussions covered (1) information on this nation’s public and private investments in nanotechnology R&D compared to other nations’ investments and (2) the challenges to global competitiveness that our nation faces, including questions about, for example, the adequacy of capital to take U.S. innovations from the laboratory to commercial
production and challenges from other nations that are now investing heavily in this area, as well as issues in intellectual property protection.
• Ways to enhance U.S. competitiveness: Approaches discussed ranged from (1) enhancing U.S. competitiveness in innovation across the economy to (2) fielding programs supporting advanced manufacturing in the United States and (3) developing a U.S. strategy for reaching a vision for nanomanufacturing.
• Issues in addressing the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanomanufacturing: Included here were discussions concerning EHS impacts of nanotechnology and approaches for managing risks related to those impacts, which may differ from those associated with other kinds of products.
