Feb. 02, 2016

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) are asking for examples of commercialization success stories arising from Federal investments in nanotechnology research & development since the inception of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2001. Under the NNI, the U.S. Government has invested more than $22 billion in fundamental and applied research in nanotechnology, the development of world-class user facilities for fabrication, characterization and modeling/simulation, and in the responsible development of nanotechnology. The formal Request for Information (RFI) can be found in today’s Federal Register; its purpose is to gather information to better understand how these investments and resources have been utilized in the successful transition of nanotechnology-based products from the lab to market.

“I look forward to hearing more commercialization success stories from the U.S. nanotechnology community,” said Dr. Michael Meador, NNCO Director. “Fifteen years ago, the NNI planted the seeds of foundational research in nanoscience and nanoengineering, and now we are seeing the fruits of these investments. Businesses across the country have grown from the idea stage into market-ready products with the support of the NNI, and we want to hear their stories.”
An OSTP blog post today details a number of recent nanotechnology success stories, including work that led to two National Medal of Science awards and one Medal of Technology and Innovation award this year. Submissions for the RFI are due February 29, 2016.