Before the

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

United States Senate

21^st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act

May 1, 2003

Mr. Chairman, Senator Wyden, and members of the Committee, I am pleased and honored to have this opportunity to appear before you today to address plans for the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office – the “NNCO” – and the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology or – the “NSET” – Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council.

I believe strongly in the potential and importance of nanotechnology for the security, economic prosperity, and welfare of our nation. I also share this Committee’s belief that Federal support for nanotechnology R&D is essential for the Nation to realize the full benefits of research and development in this emerging field.

I have submitted my written testimony for your consideration, so here I will emphasize just three important points.

First: Nanotechnology is practically limitless in its potential for creating new materials, devices and systems. The initial commercialization and economic impact just beginning to be visible is only a hint of what is to come.

Let me illustrate: There are 6,720 ways to permute the six different letters among the eight characters, or places, in the name of the Chairman’s state, Virginia. Imagine the huge number of possible permutations of the ninety-one atoms of the periodic table among the millions of places in a small nanostructure. What we can build will be limited more by our creativity and imagination than by the laws of physics.

However, this great promise must be tempered with the realization that our nanotechnology capabilities now are at an embryonic stage. It has taken us twenty years to progress from the ability to see atoms, then to manipulate them, and finally a few years ago to build a simple three atom structure – twenty years. To build a nanostructure large enough to observe in an optical microscope – about one micrometer – would require assembling millions of atoms.

I hope that gives you a sense of the amazing potential of nanotechnology – and a sense of the task remaining to realize that potential.

My second point: Nanotechnology research has potential applications in multiple agency mission areas. To ensure coordination of federal funding and to engender the rapid development of Nanotechnology in the U.S., the NNI and NSET were created.

Technology transfer and commercialization have been key elements of the NNI plan from its inception. NSET member agencies have responded by designing industry outreach activities into their NNI-related programs. Specific examples are given in my written testimony, and I believe their impact is evidenced by the exponential growth over the past several years in the number of papers and articles written on nanotechnology, U.S. patents filed, nanotechnology companies formed and products brought to market.

Nanotechnology based products that have become available over the last year range from water filters for removing harmful micro-organisms, to protective and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and cars, to stain-free clothing and mattresses.

For the future, nanotechnology promises breakthroughs in biomedicine, sensor technologies, and energy production and storage.

My third and final point: The NNI has grown in scope and scale over the last four years and is now at a stage for refocusing and strengthening, including a review by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology — the “PCAST.”

PCAST will serve as the "independent standing nanoscience and nanotechnology advisory board" called for in a recent NRC report. PCAST is well suited to conduct this review, since its members have extensive expertise in technological developments, operation of Federal R&D programs, and technology transfer. The PCAST panel also has the seniority and the visibility that will assure its findings have impact.

PCAST and Co-Chair Floyd Kvamme have already begun their review and planning processes. PCAST's work plan focuses on: first, refining the "grand challenge” topics to guide the NNI program; and second, assisting in the development of an NNI strategic plan (also called for in the NRC report). These two tasks are complementary to the activities of the NSET toward formulating a new NNI strategic plan.

In summary, nanotechnology is still at an early stage of development, and there are tremendous opportunities – and challenges - before us. The NNI has for almost five years served as an effective means for coordinating Federally funded activities in nanotechnology. As this initiative matures and grows, the NNCO is scaling up to meet the additional responsibilities that this entails. We greatly appreciate the endorsement of the NNI’s achievements and potential - implicit in the language of the proposed 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you again for your support. The NNCO staff and I look forward to working with NSET, PCAST, and the Legislative Branch to move the NNI into a challenging new era.