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Nanotechnology is at the heart of critical and emerging technologies from quantum computing to precision farming—yielding tremendous economic, societal, and national security benefits. As global competition in nanotechnology increases, it is critical to secure U.S. leadership and ensure researchers have access to the state-of-the-art infrastructure necessary to drive innovation.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created to connect and leverage existing research and development efforts across federal agencies. A new National Academies’ report reviews the landscape of NNI facilities and recommends ways to expand and support U.S. nanotechnology research and development infrastructure.
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Consensus
·2025
Nanotechnology, the science and technology of objects and phenomena at the 1-100 nm length scales, is an iconic example of how the United States has leveraged national science and technology policy to lead in the highly competitive global research market. Two decades after authorization of the Natio...
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Description
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will appoint an ad hoc committee to conduct the quadrennial review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The overall objective of this review is to make recommendations to the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee of the White House National Science and Technology Council and to the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office that will improve the value of the NNI’s research and development strategy, portfolio, and infrastructure investments to enhance economic prosperity and national security of the United States. Toward this objective, this quadrennial NNI review will include the following tasks:
(1) The committee will explore trends, opportunities, and emerging use cases for nanoscale research and development and examine how well positioned the nation’s nanotechnology-relevant infrastructure—including people, instruments, and facilities—is to be impactful in current and emerging use cases. Particular attention will be paid to the opportunities and barriers for sustaining and coordinating the nation’s global leadership in nanotechnology infrastructure.
(2) Analyze the composition of the science and engineering community currently being served by the nation's nanotechnology R&D infrastructure. Particular attention will be paid to exploring how geography, organization type (e.g., R1 vs. non-R1, academia vs. industry), career stage, project focus area, and other factors influence awareness, availability, and opportunity. The metrics used to track and evaluate success may also be considered.
(3) Identify barriers to use for communities who are not fully engaging with nanotechnology R&D infrastructure. This may include, but is not limited to, examining the awareness, interaction models, peer review models, financial and travel logistics, remote access resources, IP and contractual agreements, opportunities to enhance data and resource sharing, and approaches to incentivizing use. If warranted, recommend possible improvements to assist in achieving impactful national engagement in, and use of, existing infrastructure.
This study may make recommendations on the topics listed above.
Collaborators
Committee
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Vice Chair
Sponsors
National Nanotechnology Coordination Office
National Science Foundation
Staff
Brystol English
Lead
