Critical Bridges for 

Nanotechnology 

Innovation

Travis Earles

Assistant Director, Nanotechnology

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Co-Chair, Nanoscale Science, Engineering, & Technology Subcommittee

National Science and Technology Council

Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer

Nanotechnology Partnership Forum – NIST

September 13, 2010
Why bridges?

• Disciplines

• Sectors

• Stakeholders

• Countries

• Production capabilities

• Essential for innovation of emerging 

technology
Technology Innovation

• “Whether it is improving our health or 

harnessing clean energy, protecting our 

security or succeeding in the global 

economy, our future depends on 

reaffirming America’s 

role as the world’s 

engine of 

scientific discovery 

and innovation.” 

– President Barack Obama 
Strategy for American 

Innovation

Promote Competitive Markets that Spur 

Productive Entrepreneurship

Catalyze Breakthroughs for National Priorities

Invest in the Building Blocks of American Innovation

Sustainable growth

New jobs, businesses, industries
What is nanotechnology?

• Nanotechnology is the understanding and 

control of matter at dimensions between 

approximately 1 and 100 nanometers (the 

nanoscale), where unique phenomena

enable novel applications. 

• Nanotechnology involves imaging, 

measuring, modeling, and 

manipulating matter at this 

length scale

5

Corral of Fe Atoms

Source: Don Eigler
Nanotechnology Innovation

• What is the same?

– Goals of innovation historically

– Types/approaches

– Dealing with unknowns

• What is different/unique about 

nanotechnology innovation?

– Scale

– Control/manipulation/engineering

– Novel resultant properties
Nanotechnology Innovation

• What is different/unique about 

nanotechnology innovation?

– Breadth and speed 

• New products and processes with unique and 

transformational characteristics. 

• Far-reaching impact

– Materials - Agriculture

– Energy, - Construction

– Health and medicine - Transportation

– Electronics - Consumer products

– And many more

– Specific, intentional 

focus since 2001

NATIONAL

NANOTECHNOLOGY

INITIATIVE
A future in which the ability to understand and 

control matter on the nanoscale leads to a 

revolution in technology and industry that benefits 

society

1. Advance a world-class research and development

program

2. Foster technology transfer for commercial & public 

benefit

3. Develop & sustain educational resources, a skilled 

workforce, and the supporting research infrastructure

and tools 

4. Support responsible development of nanotechnology

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Vision and Goals
National Nanotechnology Initiative

Participating Agencies
10

Collective agency funding (in $ millions) reported since NNI inception 

(FY 2010 estimated; FY 2011 request $1.76 billion) 

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Investment History

$464

$697 $760

$989

$1,200

$1,351

$1,424

$1,555

$1,702

$1,781 $1,762

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

$1,400

$1,600

$1,800

$2,000

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
11

Program Component Areas – $ in millions; total = $1.64 billion

1 - Fundamental 

Nanoscale 

Phenomena and 

Processes

$507.0

2 - Nanomaterials

$296.8 3 - Nanoscale Devices 

and Systems

$354.7

4 - Instrumentation 

Research, Metrology, 

and Standards

$84.2

5 - Nanomanufacturing

$53.7

6 - Major Research 

Facilities and 

Instrument Acquisition

$218.7

7 - EHS

$87.7

8 - Education and 

Societal Issues

$36.1

National Nanotechnology Initiative

FY2010 Budget by Area
• Over 80 nanotechnology research 

centers, networks, and user 

facilities linked in a world-class 

interdisciplinary infrastructure

• Over 4500 active research projects

in 2008 at over 500 universities, 

Government labs, and other 

research institutions in all 50 states

Source: NNCO 12

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Infrastructure – Centers and Networks
nano.energy.gov13

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Infrastructure – User Facilities

DOE Nanoscale Science 

Research Centers
14

NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

Global Issues in Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Environmental Health Implications

Nano Public Engagement & Communication

Nanomanufacturing, Industry Liaison, & Innovation National Academies (NRC)

Relationship

Formal reporting

Informal reporting

Administrative or contractual

President’s Council of 

Advisors on Science & 

Technology (PCAST) / 

National 

Nanotechnology 

Advisory Panel (NNAP)

National Nanotechnology 

Coordination Office (NNCO)

Working Groups

OSTP

Committee on Technology

Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, 

Engineering, and Technology (NSET)

Committee on Science

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Management and Oversight
15

• Total investment of over $12 billion since FY 2001

• Advanced foundational knowledge for control of matter at the 

nanoscale with over 4500 research projects in all 50 

states

• Developed an extensive infrastructure of 

interdisciplinary research centers, networks and user 

facilities distributed across the country

• Invested significantly in targeted nanotechnology-related 

EHS R&D integrated with applications (FY2011 req. $117m)

• Established major networks for developing public awareness 

of nanotechnology and formal educational programs 

• Organized and conducted 20 major workshops on cross- cutting areas of nanotechnology applications

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Innovation Catalysis to Date
• Key finding

– US is world leader in nanotechnology 

R&D and commercialization... 

but its lead may be transient

• Key recommendations

– Increase funding for nanomanufacturing 

research while maintaining basic R&D support

– Strengthen and expand interagency coordination 

along the lines of the Nanotechnology Signature Initiatives

– Strengthen the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office

– Develop a cross-agency strategy that links environment, 

health, and safety research with knowledge gaps and 

decision-making needs

– Develop and implement strategies to retain a greater 

proportion of U.S.-trained foreign national nanotech PhDs

National Nanotechnology Initiative

President’s Council Review
17

• Maintain and strengthen fundamental research support and unparalleled 

NNI infrastructure – bridge disciplines and communities

• Catalyze collaboration to accelerate innovation/commercialization

– Bridge agencies and sectors

• NNI Signature Initiatives

• Public-private partnerships (e.g., Nanoelectronics Research Initiative)

– Bridge internationally

• OECD working parties on nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials

• Standards development

• Revise and implement strategy – bridge knowledge, development gaps

– NNI

– nanotechnology-related EHS research 

• Improve/expand communication and public engagement – bridge to 

stakeholders

– www.nano.gov

– Workshops

– NNI Strategy Portal – strategy.nano.gov

National Nanotechnology Initiative

Priorities – Critical Bridges

U.S. leadership and success 

depend on you.

Critical Bridges for 

Nanotechnology Innovation