Nanotech R&D act becomes law

December 4, 2003 | Source: EE Times

President Bush signed into law the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act on Wed. Dec. 3, with a $3.7 billion appropriation.

The bill authorizes the President to create a permanent National Nanotechnology Research Program (NNPR) to replace the expiring National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The new NNRP, according to the bill, is a “coordinated inter-agency program that will support long-term nanoscale research and development leading to potential breakthroughs in areas such as materials and manufacturing, nanoelectronics, medicine and healthcare, environment, energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, information technology, and national and homeland security.”

The Act also elaborates a list of “grand challenges” to design materials that are stronger, lighter, harder, safer, and self-repairing, including nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and magnetics. Healthcare applications are specifically cited as are nanoscale processes, environmental solutions, energy management and energy conservation.

The Act also sets as a grand challenge the development of biologically oriented nanodevices for detection and mitigation of biothreats to humans, as well as a blanket endorsement of devices for national and homeland security.