A
Statement of Task
The National Research Council delivered the first triennial review of the federal National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2006 (NRC, 2006), pursuant to the 2lst Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, Section 5 of Public Law 108-153. The NRC will appoint a committee to conduct the next triennial NNI review as specified in the law. The overall objective for this NNI review is to make recommendations to the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office that will improve the value of the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s (NNI’s) strategy and portfolio for basic research, applied research, and applications of nanotechnology to advance the commercialization, manufacturing capability, national economy, and national security interest of the United States. Toward this objective the NNI review will include the tasks listed below.
- Examine and comment on the mechanisms in use by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to advance focused areas of nanotechnology towards advanced development and commercialization, along with the approaches taken to determine those focus areas and to implement the NNI’s Signature Initiatives. If warranted, recommend possible improvements.
- Examine and comment on the physical and human infrastructure needs for successful realization in the United States of the benefits of nanotechnology development. Consider research and development, product design, com-
mercialization, and manufacturing needed both to advance nanoscience and engineering and to grow those portions of the American economy that are spurred by advances in nanotechnologies. If warranted, recommend possible improvements.
