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Statement of Task

The NRC will appoint an ad hoc committee to conduct the quadrennial review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The overall objective of this review is to make recommendations to the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the White House National Science and Technology Council and to the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office that will improve the value of the NNI’s research and development (R&D) strategy and portfolio to the economic prosperity and national security of the United States. Toward this objective, this quadrennial NNI review will include the following tasks:

1. Analyze the relative position of the United States compared to other nations with respect to nanotechnology R&D, including trends and developments in nanotechnology science and engineering and the identification of any critical research areas where the United States should be the world leader to best achieve the goals of the Program;
2. Assess the current state of nanoscience and nanotechnology resulting from the NNI as authorized in 2003, including the current impact of nanotechnology on U.S. economic prosperity and national security. Based on this assessment, consider if and how the NNI should continue. If continuation is suggested, make recommendations regarding new or revised Program goals, new research areas and technical priorities, partnerships, coordination, and management mechanisms, or programs to be established to achieve these goals.