White House wants comments on nanotechnology plan

The White House is seeking comments on its plans for a $1.8 billion research and development program aimed at broadening the application of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology works with matter at a very small scale, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers, with a nanometer being one-billionth of a meter. Such technology is already in use in the areas of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative would spur further development in a broad array of fields, including energy, health, national defense and intelligence, computation and measurement.

The draft strategic plan was put together by 25 agencies such as the White House Office of Science & Technology and the National Science and Technology Council, as well as scientific community leaders, who have been working on nanotechnology policy since 2001.

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The plan lays out these goals for nanotechnology research during the next three years:

• Advancing world-class nanotechnology research and development.

• Fostering the transfer of new technologies into products for commercial and public benefits.

• Developing and sustaining education, a skilled workforce and other infrastructure to support advanced nanotechnology.

• Supporting responsible development of nanotechnology, including risk assessment and mitigation.