Abstract
Nanotechnology is based on the ability to measure and manipulate matter on the scale of atoms and molecules. Technical advances, scientific opportunities, and recognition of the potential for diverse applications and benefits led to the launch of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2000 and signing of the Twenty-First Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act in 2003. Today, the NNI comprises a portfolio of investments totaling approximately $1.5 billion annually and involves 20 agencies. Unlike most research initiatives, the NNI simultaneously invested in research, education, risk management, workforce development, standards, and public outreach. The following factors contributed to the growth and success of the program. (1) Visionary leaders, many of whom have been involved since inception, articulated the opportunity to policymakers and within their agencies. (2) Prioritization at the highest levels of government, led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, ensured strong agency participation. (3) Robust coordination, led by an independent coordination office, facilitated engagement and interactions among agencies, industries, international organizations, and the public. (4) Attention to risk from the outset. The NNI advanced understanding of the behavior of nanoparticles in the body and the environment. Engaging regulatory agencies early was essential to identifying and mitigating potential risks. (5) International collaboration, with strong US leadership, facilitated standards development and protection of people and the environment while promoting innovation. The NNI led to multidisciplinary research and other activities that broke through silos in the research community and across government.
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Merzbacher, C. (2020). National Nanotechnology Initiative: A Model for Advancing Revolutionary Technologies. In: Norris, P., Friedersdorf, L. (eds) Women in Nanotechnology. Women in Engineering and Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19951-7_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19951-7_9
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