Nanotechnology has become one of the defining ideas in global research and development (R&D)over the last decade. In 2001, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was established as the U.S.government interagency program for coordinating nanotechnology R&D among federal agencies andfacilitating communication and collaborative activities in nanoscale science, engineering, and technologythroughout the federal government. The NNI defines nanotechnology on its Web site1as “science,engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.”
2The NNIfocuses on four goals aimed at creating “a future in which the ability to understand and control matter atthe nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits society.” The 26 federalagencies that participate in the NNI collaborate to (1) advance world-class nanotechnology research anddevelopment, (2) foster the transfer of new technologies into products for commercial and public benefit,(3) develop and sustain educational resources, a skilled workforce, and the supporting infrastructure andtools to advance nanotechnology, and (4) support the responsible development of nanotechnology.
