Nano

NNI Announces New Nanotechnology Signature Initiative

The member agencies of the NNI and OSTP have unveiled plans for the "Nanotechnology Knowledge Infrastructure."

New 3-D Nanostructures Assemble with Remarkable Precision

A team of scientists and mathematicians are developing self-assembling, three-dimensional nanostructures that can be used for targeted drug delivery.

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MIT Develops Revolutionary Glare-Free Glass

The nanotextured surface of this 'multifunctional glass' is also anti-fog and self-cleaning.

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Quantum computer built inside a diamond

Built by a team at the Univ. of Southern California, this demonstration is particularly promising because it can be easily scaled up in size.

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Nano 3D printing hits the fast track

Using femtosecond pulses from an 800-nm laser, researchers created this 285 micron racecar in just 4 minutes.

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President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Completes the Fourth Review of the NNI

The NNI is praised for "substantial progress" in commericialization and EHS research efforts.

NNI Supplement to the President's 2013 Budget: cover

NNI Supplement to the President's 2013 Budget

The President’s 2013 Budget provides nearly $1.8 billion for the NNI, a sustained investment in support of the President’s priorities and innovation strategy.

Click here to read the NNI's Budget Brief.

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Nanotechnology News

Workshops & Events

May 2012: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Materials Research Society: New Diamond and Nano Carbons Conference

Jun 2012: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC

Forest Products Society Annual Conference

Jun 2012: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

2012 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials

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Current Solicitations

Dec 31, 2012

NASA Technology Transfer

Oct 31, 2012

National Science Foundation's Metals and Metallic Nanostructures (MMN) Program

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What is Nanotech?
What are the Benefits?
How is the NNI Helping?

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale, at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.
Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering, and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.
So how small is "nano"? A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick. And there are 25,400,000 nanometers in one inch.

See more in Nano 101

Certain nanostructures can recognize diseased cells and deliver drugs directly to cancerous tumors without harming healthy cells or organs.
New solar panels incorporating nanotechnology are far more efficient than standard designs in converting sunlight to electricity, promising much more economical solar power in the future.
Researchers have discovered how ultrasmall specks of rust can help remove arsenic from drinking water.
For environmental cleanup, researchers have developed a nanofabric that is woven from tiny wires and can absorb 20 times its weight in oil.

Learn more in Benefits and Applications

NNI agencies have developed an extensive infrastructure of more than 60 major interdisciplinary research and education centers across the United States. The centers have state-of-the-art equipment for nanoscale research; many are designated as user facilities and are available to researchers from academia, the private sector, and national laboratories. See the full list at NNI Centers, Networks, and Facilities.
In addition to grants, the Federal Government offers special programs designed to seed commercialization activity that facilitates economic growth. These programs support small business collaboration with universities and other research institutions. Learn more at Funding Opportunities.