Overview of the National Overview of the National 

Nanotechnology Initiative Nanotechnology Initiative

WBT March 17, 2010Mike RocoNational Science Foundation and National Nanotechnology Initiative

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What Is nanotechnology? What Is nanotechnology?

Research and technology development Research and technology development aimed to understand and control matter aimed to understand and control matter at dimensions of approximately 1 at dimensions of approximately 1 - 

- 100 

nanometer nanometer –the nanoscale the nanoscale

Ability to understand, create, and use Ability to understand, create, and use structures, devices and systems that have structures, devices and systems that have fundamentally new properties and fundamentally new properties and functions because of their nanoscale functions because of their nanoscale structure structureAbility to image, measure, model, and Ability to image, measure, model, and manipulate matter on the nanoscale to manipulate matter on the nanoscale to exploit those properties and functions exploit those properties and functionsAbility to integrate those properties and Ability to integrate those properties and functions into systems spanning from functions into systems spanning from nano-to micro to micro-to macro to macro

-scopicscales

C

NaDW 
DHS

CPSC ITC

NIOSH

DOC BIS

DOEd

NSF

DOD

NASA

NIST

NIH

OSTP OMB

DOT

DOTr

DOJ

ITIC

DOS

National Nanotechnology Initiativ

Collaborative, Multi-agency, Cross-cu

Program Among 25 Federal agencies, 1

which have specific nanotechnology bud

Funds R&D to advance understanding a

control of matter at nanoscale toward

National economic benefit

National and homeland security

Improved quality of life
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The National Nanotechnology I

The National Nanotechnology 

vision and goals vision and goals

 The vision of the NNI The vision of the NNI: a future in whic

: a future in whic

understand and control matt understand and control matter on the 

er on the 

to a revolution in technology and indus

to a revolution in technology and indus

society society

 Four goals Four goals for nanoscale science, engin

for nanoscale science, engin

technology, as described in the technology, as described in the NNI'sS

S

the President's FY 2008 Budg the President's FY 2008 Budget and Str

et and Str

 Advance a world Advance a world

-class research and develop

class research and develop

 Foster technology transfer for commercial & 

Foster technology transfer for commercial & 

 Develop & sustain educational resources, a 

Develop & sustain educational resources, a 

and the supporting research and the supporting research infrastructure a

infrastructure a

 Support responsible development of nanote

Support responsible development of nanote
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NNCO NNCO

NSET Subcommittee NSET Subcommittee

Committee on Technology Commit

NSTC

OSTP OMB PCAST (NNAP)

Glo

G

Nano. Env

Nano. Env

PPublic Eng

ublic E

nga

National NaNanomfg

nomfg

Academies

EOP

Relationship

Form

al reporti

n

g

Informal reporting

Administrative or contractual

Relationship

Form

al reporti

n

g

Informal reporting

Administrative or contractual
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Broad brush view of NNI ope

Broad brush view of NNI ope

 Management EOP + Age

Management EOP + Age

 Establishment of nanotechnology as high 

Establishment of nanotechnology as high 

 Budget creation and funding allocation to 

Budget creation and funding allocation to 

 Negotiations with Congress Negotiations with Congress

 Coordination NSET Sub

Coordination NSET Sub

 Coordinates development of strategic pla

Coordinates development of strategic pla

 Providing mechanisms for interagency co

Providing mechanisms for interagency co

coordination on nanotechnology R&D coordination on nanotechnology R&D

 Reporting NNCO Reporting NNCO

 Publishes reports on behalf of Publishes reports on behalf of the NSET a

the NSET a

by Congress, academia, industry, and the 

by Congress, academia, industry, and the 

 Serves as central public point of contact 

Serves as central public point of contact 
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Areas of Investmen

Areas of Investmen

(Program Component Areas

(Program Component Areas

 Fundamental Nanoscale Phenomena and P

Fundamental Nanoscale Phenomena and P

 Nanomaterials Nanomaterials Nanoscale Devices and Systems Nanoscale Devices and Systems Instrumentation Research, Metrology, and 

Instrumentation Research, Metrology, and 

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology

 Nanomanufacturing Nanomanufacturing Major Research Facilities and Instrumenta

Major Research Facilities and Instrumenta

 Environment Environment, Health, and Safety(EHS) Education and Education and Societal Societal Dimensions Dimensions
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About 80 major NNI centers, About 80 major NNI centers, network

 network
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NNI Budget, Note NNI Budget, Note

Fiscal Year (FY) = October 1 t

Fiscal Year (FY) = October 1 t

September 30 (I.E., FY 2010 

September 30 (I.E., FY 2010 

October 1, 2009) October 1, 2009)

FY 2009 figures include amou

FY 2009 figures include amou

FY ’09 in the regular budget; 

09 in the regular budget; 

additional $500 million was p

additional $500 million was p

under the American Recovery 

under the American Recovery 

Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
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NNI budget informatio

NNI budget informatio

 NNI expenditures* have grown from $4

NNI expenditures* have grown from $4

FY ‘01 to an FY 01 to an FY ‘11 request of nearly $

11 request of nearly $

* All numbers shown above are actual spending, except 2010, wh

for the current year and 2011 , which is requested amou

(FY ‘09 figure shown here does not include ~$500 million in add

** 2011 figure shown here does not include DOD earmarks included i
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NNI budget by agency, NNI budget by agency, ’0

* Based on allocations ARRA appropriations. Agencies may report additional ARRA funding 

** 2009 and 2010 DOD figures include Congressionally directed funding that is outside the 

See NNI Supplement to the President’s FY ‘11 Budget for additional details: http://www.nano.go

Agency 2009 Actual 2009 Recovery* 2010 E

DOE 332.6 293.2 

NSF 408.6 101.2 

HHS/NIH 342.8 73.4 

DOD** 459.0 0.0 

DOC/NIST 93.4 43.4 

EPA 11.6 0.0 

HHS/NIOSH 6.7 0.0 

NASA 13.7 0.0 

HHS/FDA 6.5 0.0 

DHS 9.1 0.0 

USDA/NIFA 9.9 0.0 

USDA/FS 5.4 0.0 

CPSC 0.2 0.0 

DOT/FHWA 0.9 0.0 

DOJ 1.2 0.0 

TOTAL 1,701.5 511.3 
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Environmental, Health, and Safety 

Environmental, Health, and Safety 

* research whose primary purpose is to understand and address pote

the environment from nanotechnology, e.g., not including related in

NNI funding for nanotechnology-related EHS research* has grown much fas

by fiscal year, in $ millions (FY 2010 is estimated, FY 2011 is requested
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NNI ELSI/Education Bud

NNI ELSI/Education Bud

Expenditures on education and societal dimensions ( Expenditures on education and societal dimensions 

steady at ~$30 steady at ~$30

-40 million per year, cumulative t

40 million per year, cumulative t
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NNI EHS Strategy Develo

NNI EHS Strategy Develo

 Nanotechnology Environmental and Nanotechnology Environmental and Health Implic

Health Implic

Group formed as informal body in 2003, formalize

Group formed as informal body in 2003, formalize

 Extraordinary collaboration betwee Extraordinary collaboration between research and 

n research and 

 Began with review of respective agencies Began with review of respective agencies’jurisdic

jurisdi

 Industry and non Industry and non

-governmental organizations prov

governmental organizations prov

 Environmental, health, and safety research needs 

Environmental, health, and safety research needs 

September 2006: September 2006: http://www.nano.gov/ http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS

NNI_EHS

 Public meeting held in January Public meeting held in January 2007 to gather add

2007 to gather ad

research community and public research community and public

 Interim document for public comment, Interim document for public comment, 

“Prioritiza

Prioritiza

Environmental, Health, and Safety Environmental, Health, and Safety Research Need

Research Need

Nanoscale Materials Nanoscale Materials”published in August 2007: published in August 2007: 

http://www.nano.gov/Prioritization_EHS_Researc

http://www.nano.gov/Prioritization_EHS_Resear

Nanoscale_Materials.pdf Nanoscale_Materials.pdf

 First comprehensive NNI strategy document First comprehensive NNI strategy document publi

publi

http://www.nano.gov/ http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs.

NNI_EHS_research_needs.
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NNI EHS Strategy NNI EHS Strategy

Strategy for Nanotechnology Strategy for Nanotechnology

-Related Environmental, 

Related Environmental, 

Research (February 2008): Research (February 2008): http://www.nano.gov/ http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs.p

NNI_EHS_research_needs.p

 Process: Process:

1. Identify priority needs2. Assess existing research3. Analyze strengths and weaknesses4. Periodic updates and revisions

 Five research categories: Five research categories:

1. Instrumentation, metrology and analytical methods (NIST 2. Nanomaterials and human health (NIH lead)3. Nanomaterials and the environment (EPA lead)4. Human and environmental exposure assessment (NIOSH l5. Risk management methods (FDA and EPA lead)

 Includes list of FY Includes list of FY ‘06 funded EHS projects 06 funded EHS projects
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NNI EHS Strategy NNI EHS Strategy

Role of nanotechnology Role of nanotechnology

-related EHS research in risk m

related EHS research in risk m

nanomaterials* nanomaterials*

* from Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Saf

http://www.nano.gov/NNI_EHS_research_needs
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NNI EHS Strategy: Next 

NNI EHS Strategy: Next 

 Strategy document calls for Strategy document calls for periodic review and up

periodic review and up

 Workshops underway in 2009 and 2010 to refine re

Workshops underway in 2009 and 2010 to refine re

priorities, and strategies for each of the five categ

priorities, and strategies for each of the five categ

 External evaluations of NNI strategy by National Ac

External evaluations of NNI strategy by National Ac

Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PC

Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PC

 PCAST review of NNI approach was very favorable ove

http://www.ostp.gov/galleries/PCAST/PCAST_NNAP_Ndf

 Addendum from PCAST reviewing the EHS strategy do

also favorable: http://www.ostp.gov/galleries/PCAST/PCAST%20Add

 National Academies review of the NNI EHS strategy wa EPA has funded additional strategy study by National 

 ISO and OECD activities will provide additional fee

ISO and OECD activities will provide additional fee

 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) T

Nanotechnologies (ISO TC 229), met this June in Seatt

 United States is the convenor for the ISO TC 229 Work

aspects of nanotechnology

 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developm

Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, also chaired by issues, international coordination of same
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Summary: Approach to EHS, Othe

Summary: Approach to EHS, Othe



“Bottom

-up

”, not 

“top

-down” 

” strategy developme

strategy developme

research community, industry research community, industry 

 individual agenc

individual agenc

strategy strategy

 Interagency coordination Interagency coordination is essential (see list of a

is essential (see list of a

 Science Science

-basedpolicy development; recommend p

policy development; recommend p

case, while science results are still pending, espec

case, while science results are still pending, espe

settings; NIOSH is leading this effort in the United 

settings; NIOSH is leading this effort in the United 

 EHS research effort EHS research effort integrated with overall NNI pr

integrated with overall NNI pr

components within many NNI projec components within many NNI projects (for examp

ts (for examp

testing is routine part of late testing is routine part of late

-stage research) stage research)

 Over $480 million in $480 million in 

“primary purpose primary purpose”EHS R&D EHS R&D, 

is supplemented by much larger is supplemented by much larger efforts in basic sc

efforts in basic sc

characterization, understanding of interactions w

characterization, understanding of interactions w

especially instrumentation, metrology, & standard

especially instrumentation, metrology, & standard

investment is much higher co investment is much higher counting all this relate

unting all this relate

 Over $260 million in education and $260 million in education and 

“ELSI”funding

funding

 International collaboration International collaboration is also key: OECD, ISO, 

is also key: OECD, ISO, 
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NNI participation NNI participation

 NNI participating agencies have grown 

NNI participating agencies have grown 

to 25 in 2008. to 25 in 2008.
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International nanotech R&D inv

International nanotech R&D inv

Sou

U.S. es

$1.78 bi

is ~

New announcements from 

Russia and EU recently indicate 

very large new investments
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Industry Consultative Boards for Advanc

Industry Consultative Boards for Advan

Key for development of nanote Key for development of nanotechnology, E

chnology, E

CCR

 Electronic Industry (Semiconduct Electronic Industry (Semiconductor Resear

or Resear

October/2003 October/2003 -Collaborative activities in k

Collaborative activities in k

working groups, Periodical joint actions and 

working groups, Periodical joint actions and 

agreement for joint funding; other joint fun

agreement for joint funding; other joint fun

 Chemical Industry (Council Chemical Industry (Council for Chemical R

for Chemical R

road map for nanomaterials R&D; Report in 

road map for nanomaterials R&D; Report in 

groups, including one EHS Use of NNI R&D re

groups, including one EHS Use of NNI R&D re

identify R&D opportunities identify R&D opportunities

 Organizations and business (Indus Organizations and business (Industrial Res

trial Res

Joint activities in R&D technology managem

Joint activities in R&D technology managem

(nanotech in industry, EHS) Exch (nanotech in industry, EHS) Exchange inform

ange inform

support new topics support new topics

 Forest products industries Forest products industries (AF&PA lead), A

 (AF&PA lead), A

forest products industry input forest products industry input to and commu

to and commu
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New to the NNI for FY 2011: Sign

New to the NNI for FY 2011: Sign

To accelerate nanotechnology development 

To accelerate nanotechnology development 

President's priorities and innovation strateg

President's priorities and innovation strateg

agencies have identified areas ripe for sign

agencies have identified areas ripe for sign

through close and targeted program through close and targeted program

-level i

level i

collaboration: collaboration:

Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond (NSF, DO

Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond (NSF, DO

Sustainable Nanomanufacturing Sustainable Nanomanufacturing – 

– Creating the 

Creating the 

Future (NIST, NSF, DOE, EPA, NIH) Future (NIST, NSF, DOE, EPA, NIH)

Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Collection an

Collection an

NIST, NSF, DOD, DNI, USDA/NIFA) NIST, NSF, DOD, DNI, USDA/NIFA)Additional details and updated information avai

Additional details and updated information avai

http://www.nano.gov/html/research/ http://www.nano.gov/html/research/signature

signature
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Summary: Recent NNI deve

Summary: Recent NNI deve

 Cumulative NNI funding for nano Cumulative NNI funding for nanoscale science and 

scale science and 

research, 2001 research, 2001

-2011: over $14 billion 2011: over $14 billion

 Over 60 NNI research centers, networks and user 

Over 60 NNI research centers, networks and user 

 Over $480 million in Over $480 million in 

“primary purpose primary purpose” 

” EHS R&D, 

EHS R&D, 

combined; over $260 million in education and ELS

combined; over $260 million in education and ELS

same period same period

 Reviews of NNI completed in the past 2 years by 

Reviews of NNI completed in the past 2 years by 

of Advisors on Science and Technology, National A

of Advisors on Science and Technology, National 

PCAST assessment report due out late March 2010 PCAST assessment report due out late March 2010

 Current NNI Strategic Plan released Dec. Current NNI Strategic Plan released Dec. ’07; due 

07; due 

 NNI EHS strategy released Feb. NNI EHS strategy released Feb. ’08; also due for u

08; also due for u

 Activities now underway to implement the EHS st

Activities now underway to implement the EHS st

of workshops in 2009 and 2010 of workshops in 2009 and 2010

 Focus should remain on funding th Focus should remain on funding the needed resea

e needed resea

process process
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NEW: Supplement 

Supplement 

President's FY 

President's FY 

B

NNI activities and documents inform 

NNI activities and documents inform 

report outcomes, and serve as resou

report outcomes, and serve as resou

NNI Strategic Plan NNI Strategic Plan
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...if you want to know more a

if you want to know more a

www.

nano

.

go

www.

nano

.

go
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What is NNCO? What is NNCO?

(National Nanotechnology Coordinat

(National Nanotechnology Coordinat

 Interagency Interagency coordination office for the NN

coordination office for the NN

 Provides Provides technical technical and administrative sup

and administrative sup

Subcommittee Subcommittee, for example example:

•Coordinates Coordinates preparation preparation and publication of NNI pla

and publication of NNI pla

assessment assessment documents (e.g., NNI documents (e.g., NNI Supplement Supplement to th

• 

• Organizes Organizes NSET Subcommittee Subcommittee and working working group m

group 

•Organizes Organizes NNI

-sponsored sponsored workshops; workshops; prepares prepares and 

•Coordinates Coordinates development development of information on NNI fo

of information on NNI fo

• 

• Supports Supports external external reviews reviews of the NNI by National of the NNI by National A

A

 Serves as central point of contact for Serves as central point of contact for Fede

Fede

nanotechnology nanotechnology R&D activities activities

 Provides Provides public outreach outreach on behalfof the 

of the 

(e.g., seewww.nano.gov) www.nano.gov)

 Staffed Staffed by Federal Federal agencydetailees detailees and c

c