National Nanotechnology Initiative – United States
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is a U.S. Government research and development (R&D) initiative. Over thirty Federal departments, independent agencies, and commissions work together toward the shared vision of a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to ongoing revolutions in technology and industry that benefit society. The NNI enhances interagency coordination of nanotechnology R&D, supports a shared infrastructure, enables leveraging of resources while avoiding duplication, and establishes shared goals, priorities, and strategies that complement agency-specific missions and activities.
Links:
– National Nanotechnology Initiative
Organization Goals:
The NNI expedites the discovery, development and deployment of nanoscale science and technology to serve the public good, through a program of coordinated research and development aligned with the missions of the participating agencies. These agencies work to fulfill the NNI vision by working together to accomplish four primary goals:
- To advance world-class nanotechnology research and development;
- To foster the transfer of new technologies into products for commercial and public benefit;
- To develop and sustain educational resources, a skilled workforce and the supporting infrastructure and tools to advance nanotechnology; and
- To support the responsible development of nanotechnology.
Networks and Communities:
NextTech Student Network – A network of student-run clubs at universities and colleges across the country. Activities include the annual Student Leaders Conference, a monthly newsletter, professional development webinars, and a LinkedIn group.
U.S.-EU NanoEHS Communities of Research – The U.S.-EU NanoEHS Communities of Research provide a platform for scientists to collaboratively identify and address key research questions about the potential environmental, health, and safety (EHS) implications of nanomaterials through community-led activities, such as conference calls, webinars, publications, and annual in-person meetings.
Centers and Institutes in the United States:
Investment in nanotechnology in the United States occurs through many government agencies. The multidisciplinary research that is supported not only leads to advances in knowledge but also fosters relationships that enhance the transition of basic research results to consumer goods and other applications. A list of institutes and centers supported by the United States government is provided below, and is organized by funding agency:
Department of Defense
- Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Institute for Nanoscience – Naval Research Laboratory
National Institutes of Health
- Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory – National Cancer Institute, Frederick MD
Nanomedicine Development Centers
- Center for Cell Control – University of California, Los Angeles
- Columbia Nano Initiative – Columbia University
National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
- Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence – University of North Carolina
- Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence and Translation – Stanford University
- Nanomedicine Innovation Center – Northeastern University
- Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (NU-CCNE), Center of – Northwestern University
- Department of Nanomedicine – The University of Texas Health Science Center and The Methodist Hospital
National Institute of Standards and Technology (Department of Commerce)
National Science Foundation with the Environmental Protection Agency
- Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) – Duke University
National Science Foundation
Engineering Research Center
- Center for Extreme Ultraviolet Science and Technology – University of Colorado—Boulder, Colorado State University
Science and Technology Center
- Nanotechnology Area – Cornell University
Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers
- Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing – University of Massachusetts—Amherst
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science (KIC) – Cornell University
- Science of Nanoscale Systems and their Device Applications (NSEC) – Harvard University
- Center on Templated Synthesis and Assembly at the Nanoscale – University of Wisconsin
- Nanoscale Prototyping Laboratory – Stanford University
- Singh Center for Nanotechnology – University of Pennsylvania
- Center for High Rate Nanomanufacturing – Northeastern University
- Center for Nanotechnology in Society – Arizona State University
Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
- Center for Nanoscale Science (MRSEC) – Pennsylvania State University
- Polarization and Spin Phenomena in Nanoferroic Structures (MRSEC) – University of Nebraska, Lincoln
- Center for Research on Interface Structure and Phenomena (MRSEC) – Yale University
- MRSEC on Precision-Assembled Quantum Materials (PAQM) – Columbia University
In addition, many other MRSECs have activities related to nanotechnology or have transitioned into related efforts on nanoscale science and engineering:
- Instrumentation for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation – Brown University
- Columbia Nano Initiative – Columbia University
- Cornell Center for Materials Research – Cornell University
- Materials Research Science (MRSEC) – Northwestern University
- Center for Emergent Materials (MRSEC) – The Ohio State University
- Princeton Center for Complex Materials (MRSEC) – Princeton University
- Materials Research Laboratory – University of California, Santa Barbara
- Chicago Materials Research Center (MRSEC) – University of Chicago
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) – University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) – University of Minnesota
- The Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (MRSEC) – University of Pennsylvania
NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Networks
(Content source: NNI website, press releases and internet searches.)
