NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

IEEE-USA Position Statement

(Approved by the IEEE-USA Board of Directors, 13 Nov. 2003)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers-United States of America (IEEE-USA) supports the research, development and commercialization of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology, the observation and manipulation of materials at the molecular and atomic levels, is an enabling technology that will positively affect all areas of the American economy, quality of life, and will help America maintain its technological leadership. Nanotechnology will lead to significant advances in electronics, defense and homeland security, agriculture, communication, biology, diagnostic medicine, structural materials and many other areas of prospective application in the next decade.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a multi-agency program launched in 2001 to support and coordinate federal research and development in many aspects of nanotechnology. The NNI represents the U.S. response to government programs underway in the European Union, Japan, China, Israel and Russia that are actively supporting the development of revolutionary applications of nanotechnology, which are expected to have a significant impact on the world economy.

The IEEE-USA strongly supports government policies that promote nanotechnology research and development and provide related support for commercialization and workforce education. To ensure the growth of nanotechnology and its economic benefits in the United States, the IEEE-USA further recommends that Congress and the Executive Branch:

• Authorize Continued and Stable Funding for the NNI. The NNI is already providing a strong foundation for nanotechnology research and development in the United States. The Government should continue to encourage and enhance cross-agency and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Encourage and Support Nanotechnology-Related Technology Transfer Programs. The Government should encourage and promote the rapid transfer of research results to technology development. The Government should promote the collaboration among federal laboratories, universities and industry to foster an environment for rapid application of nanotechnology. (For example, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, or Department of Defense nanotechnology facilities should be made accessible to industry and universities.)
• Provide Incentives for Commercialization. Government incentives should be implemented to facilitate the timely commercialization of nanotechnology from the research laboratories to the marketplace.
• Facilitate Development and Implementation of Nanotechnology Standards. To maintain U.S. leadership in nanotechnology, it is imperative for the U.S. Government to facilitate the establishment of international standard measurement, nomenclature, and quality methodologies in parallel with the technology development.
• Support Nanotechnology Education Programs. To create and maintain an appropriate workforce, the Government should encourage and financially support the development of curricula and instruction for teaching and training in nanotechnology at all educational levels.
• Explore the Societal and Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology. Since nanotechnology has the potential to affect humans and the environment in ways that are not yet known, research must be sponsored to examine its impact to avoid unforeseen adverse consequences.

This statement was developed by the IEEE-USA Research and Development Policy Committee and represents the considered judgment of a group of U.S. IEEE members with expertise in the subject field.