[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 189 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 280
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 189
[Report No. 108-147]
To authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and
nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 16, 2003
Mr. Wyden (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Warner, Ms.
Mikulski, Mr. Hollings, Ms. Landrieu, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Levin, Mr.
Bayh, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Corzine, Mr.
Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Baucus) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
September 15, 2003
Reported by Mr. McCain with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and
nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Nanotechnology
Research and Development Act''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The Congress makes the following findings:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The emerging fields of nanoscience and nanoengineering
(collectively, ``nanotechnology''), in which matter is manipulated at
the atomic level (i.e., atom-by- atom or molecule-by-molecule) in order
to build materials, machines, and devices with novel properties or
functions, are leading to unprecedented scientific and technological
opportunities that will benefit society by changing the way many things
are designed and made.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Long-term nanoscale research and development leading
to potential breakthroughs in areas such as materials and
manufacturing, electronics, medicine and healthcare, environment,
energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, information technology,
and national security could be as significant as the combined
influences of microelectronics, biotechnology, and information
technology on the 20th century. Nanotechnology could lead to things
such as--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) new generations of electronics where the
entire collection of the Library of Congress is stored on
devices the size of a sugar cube;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) manufacturing that requires less material,
pollutes less, and is embedded with sophisticated sensors that
will internally detect signs of weakness and automatically
respond by releasing chemicals that will prevent
damage;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) prosthetic and medical implants whose surfaces
are molecularly designed to interact with the cells of the
body;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) materials with an unprecedented combination of
strength, toughness, and lightness that will enable land, sea,
air, and space vehicles to become lighter and more fuel
efficient;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) selective membranes that can fish out specific
toxic or valuable particles from industrial waste or that can
inexpensively desalinate sea water; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) tiny robotic spacecraft that will cost less,
consume very little power, adapt to unexpected environments,
change its capabilities as needed, and be completely
autonomous.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Long-term, high-risk research is necessary to create
breakthroughs in technology. Such research requires government funding
since the benefits are too distant or uncertain for industry alone to
support. Current Federal investments in nanotechnology research and
development are not grounded in any specifically authorized statutory
foundation. As a result, there is a risk that future funding for long-
term, innovative research will be tentative and subject to instability
which could threaten to hinder future United States technological and
economic growth.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The Federal government can play an important role in
the development of nanotechnology, as this science is still in its
infancy, and it will take many years of sustained investment for this
field to achieve maturity.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Many foreign countries, companies and scientists
believe that nanotechnology will be the leading technology of the 21st
century and are investing heavily into its research. According to a
study of international nanotechnology research efforts sponsored by the
National Science and Technology Council, the United States is at risk
of falling behind its international competitors, including Japan, South
Korea, and Europe if it fails to sustain broad based funding in
nanotechnology. The United States cannot afford to fall behind our
competitors if we want to maintain our economic strength.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Advances in nanotechnology stemming from Federal
investments in fundamental research and subsequent private sector
development likely will create technologies that support the work and
improve the efficiency of the Federal government, and contribute
significantly to the efforts of the government's mission
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) According to various estimates, including those of the
National Science Foundation, the market for nanotech products and
services in the United States alone could reach over $1 trillion later
this century.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Nanotechnology will evolve from modern advances in
chemical, physical, biological, engineering, medical, and materials
research, and will contribute to cross-disciplinary training of the
21st century science and technology workforce.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Mastering nanotechnology will require a unique skill
set for scientists and engineers that combine chemistry, physics,
material science, and information science. Funding in these critical
areas has been flat for many years and as a result fewer young people
are electing to go into these areas in graduate schools throughout the
United States. This will have to reverse if we hope to develop the next
generation of skilled workers with multi-disciplinary perspectives
necessary for the development of nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Research on nanotechnology creates unprecedented
capabilities to alter ourselves and our environment and will give rise
to a host of novel social, ethical, philosophical, and legal issues. To
appropriately address these issues will require wide reflection and
guidance that are responsive to the realities of the science, as well
as additional research to predict, understand, and alleviate
anticipated problems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (11) Nanotechnology will provide structures to enable the
revolutionary concept of quantum computing, which uses quantum
mechanical properties to do calculation. Quantum computing permits a
small number of atoms to potentially store and process enormous amounts
of information. Just 300 interacting atoms in a quantum computer could
store as much information as a classical electronic computer that uses
all the particles in the universe, and today's complex encryption
algorithms, which would take today's best super computer 20 billion
years, could be cracked in 30 minutes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (12) The Executive Branch has previously established a
National Nanotechnology Initiative to coordinate Federal nanotechnology
research and development programs. This initiative has contributed
significantly to the development of nanotechnology. Authorizing
legislation can serve to establish new technology goals and research
directions, improve agency coordination and oversight mechanisms, help
ensure optimal returns to investment, and simplify reporting,
budgeting, and planning processes for the Executive Branch and the
Congress.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (13) The private sector technology innovations that grow
from fundamental nanotechnology research are dependent on a haphazard,
expensive, and generally inefficient technology transition path.
Strategies for accelerating the transition of fundamental knowledge and
innovations in commercial products or to support mission agencies
should be explored, developed, and when appropriate,
executed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (14) Existing data on the societal, ethical, educational,
legal, and workforce implications and issues related to nanotechnology
are lacking. To help decision-makers and affected parties better
anticipate issues likely to arise with the onset and maturation of
nanotechnology, research and studies on these issues must be conducted
and disseminated.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (15) Many States and regions have begun nanotechnology
programs. These programs have developed expertise, particularly with
regard to providing infrastructure and preparing the nanotechnology
workforce. The Federal nanotechnology program should leverage these
existing State and local institutions to best provide a coordinated and
comprehensive nanotechnology research portfolio.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (16) In ``Small Wonders, Endless Frontiers'' the National
Academy of Sciences' National Research Council recommends increased
investment in nanotechnology, particularly at the intersection of
nanotechnology and biology. Such investments will allow significant
advancements in biotechnology and medicine.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. PURPOSE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the purpose of this Act to authorize a coordinated
inter-agency program that will support long-term nanoscale research and
development leading to potential breakthroughs in areas such as
materials and manufacturing, nanoelectronics, medicine and healthcare,
environment, energy, chemicals, biotechnology, agriculture, information
technology, and national and homeland security.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) National Nanotechnology Research Program.--The
President shall establish a National Nanotechnology Research Program.
Through appropriate agencies, councils, and the National Coordination
Office, the program shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) establish the goals, priorities, grand
challenges, and metrics for evaluation for Federal
nanotechnology research, development, and other
activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) invest in Federal research and development
programs in nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve
those goals; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) provide for interagency coordination of
Federal nanotechnology research, development, and other
activities undertaken pursuant to the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Goals of the National Nanotechnology Research
Program.--The goals of the program are as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) The coordination of long-term fundamental
nanoscience and engineering research to build a fundamental
understanding of matter enabling control and manipulation at
the nanoscale.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) The assurance of continued United States
global leadership in nanotechnology to meet national goals and
to support national economic, health, national security,
educational, and scientific interests.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) The advancement of United States productivity
and industrial competitiveness through stable, consistent, and
coordinated investments in long-term scientific and engineering
research in nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) The development of a network of shared
academic facilities and technology centers, including State
supported centers, that will play a critical role in
accomplishing the other goals of the program, foster
partnerships, and develop and utilize next generation
scientific tools.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) The development of enabling infrastructural
technologies that United States industry can use to
commercialize new discoveries and innovations in
nanoscience.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) The acceleration of the deployment and
transition of advanced and experimental nanotechnology and
concepts into the private sector.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) The establishment of a program designed to
provide effective education and training for the next
generation of researchers and professionals skilled in the
multidisciplinary perspectives necessary for
nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) To ensure that philosophical, ethical, and
other societal concerns will be considered alongside the
development of nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Research and Development Areas.--Through its
participating agencies, the National Nanotechnology Research Program
shall develop, fund, and manage Federal research programs in the
following areas:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Long-term fundamental research.--The program
shall undertake long-term basic nanoscience and engineering
research that focuses on fundamental understanding and
synthesis of nanometer-size building blocks with potential for
breakthroughs in areas such as materials and manufacturing,
nanoelectronics, medicine and healthcare, environment, energy,
chemical and pharmaceuticals industries, biotechnology and
agriculture, computation and information technology, and
national security. Funds made available from the appropriate
agencies under this paragraph shall be used--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) to provide awards of less than
$1,000,000 each to single investigators and small
groups to provide sustained support to individual
investigators and small groups conducting fundamental,
innovative research; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) to fund fundamental research and the
development of university-industry-laboratory and
interagency (including State-led)
partnerships.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Grand challenges.--The program shall support
grand challenges that are essential for the advancement of the
field and interdisciplinary research and education teams,
including multidisciplinary nanotechnology research centers,
that work on major long-term objectives. This funding area will
fund, through participating agencies, interdisciplinary
research and education teams that aim to achieve major, long-
term objectives, such as the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Nanomaterials by design which are
stronger, lighter, harder, self-repairing, and
safer.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and
magnetics.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Healthcare applications.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Nanoscale processes and
environment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Energy and energy
conservation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Microspacecraft.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Bio-nanodevices for detection and
mitigation of biothreats to humans.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) Economical, efficient, and safe
transportation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) National and homeland
security.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) Other appropriate
challenges.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research
centers.--The Program, through the appropriate agencies, shall
fund, on a competitive merit reviewed basis, research centers
in the range of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 per year each for 5
years. A grant under this paragraph to a center may be renewed
for 1 5-year term on the basis of that center's performance,
determined after a review. The program, through its
participating agencies, shall encourage research networking
among centers and researchers and require access to facilities
to both academia and industry. The centers shall assist in
reaching other initiative priorities, including fundamental
research, grand challenges, education, development and
utilization of specific research tools, and promoting
partnerships with industry. To the greatest extent possible,
agencies participating in the program shall establish
geographically diverse centers including at least one center in
a State participating in the National Science Foundation's
(NSF) Experimental Program, to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR), established under section 113 of the NSF
Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862(g)) and shall
encourage the participation of minority serving institutions at
these centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Research infrastructure.--The program, through
its participating agencies, shall ensure adequate research
infrastructure and equipment for rapid progress on program
goals, including the employment of underutilized manufacturing
facilities in areas of high unemployment as production
engineering and research testbeds for micron-scale
technologies. Major research equipment and instrumentation
shall be an eligible funding purpose under the
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Societal, ethical, educational, legal, and
workforce issues related to nanotechnology.--The Director of
the National Science Foundation shall establish a new Center
for Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues
Related to Nanotechnology at $5,000,000 per year to encourage,
conduct, coordinate, commission, collect, and disseminate
research on the societal, ethical, educational, legal, and
workforce issues related to nanotechnology. The Center shall
also conduct studies and provide input and assistance to the
Director of the National Science Foundation in completing the
annual report required under paragraph 7(b)(3) of this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Transition of technology.--The program,
through its participating agencies, shall ensure cooperation
and collaboration with United States industry in all relevant
research efforts and develop mechanisms to assure prompt
technology transition.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Gap funding.--The program shall address
research areas identified by the Council under section 5(a)(9)
of this Act through a program of competitive grants to be
awarded in such areas by the Director of the National Science
Foundation using the Foundation's funds and any funds
contributed to the Foundation by other participating agencies
for this purpose. Such grants may be made to government or non-
government awardees. Where appropriate, such grants may
encourage interagency partnerships or leverage the expertise of
State-supported nanotechnology programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. PROGRAM COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The National Science and Technology
Council shall oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the
Federal nanotechnology research and development program. The Council,
itself or through an appropriate subgroup it designates or establishes,
shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) establish a set of broad applications of
nanotechnology research and development, or grand challenges,
to be met by the results and activities of the program, based
on national needs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) submit to the Congress through the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the
House of Representatives Committee on Science, an annual
report, along with the President's annual budget request,
describing the implementation of the program under section
4;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) provide for interagency coordination of the
program, including with the Department of Defense;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) coordinate the budget requests of each of the
agencies involved in the program with the Office of Management
and Budget to ensure that a balanced research portfolio is
maintained in order to ensure the appropriate level of research
effort;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) provide guidance each year to the
participating departments and agencies concerning the
preparation of appropriations requests for activities related
to the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) consult with academic, industry, State and
local government (including State and regional nanotechnology
programs), and other appropriate groups conducting research on
and using nanotechnology;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) establish an Information Services and
Applications Council to promote access to and early application
of the technologies, innovations, and expertise derived from
nanotechnology research and development program activities to
agency missions and systems across the Federal government, and
to United States industry;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) in cooperation with the Advisory Panel
established under subsection (b), develop and apply
measurements using appropriate metrics for evaluating program
performance and progress toward goals; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) identify research areas which are not being
adequately addressed by the agencies' current research
programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) President's Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish
a National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Selection procedures.--The President shall
establish procedures for the selection of individuals not
employed by the Federal government who are qualified in the
science of nanotechnology and other appropriate fields and may,
pursuant to such procedures, select up to 20 individuals, one
of whom shall be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory
Panel. Selection of individuals for the Advisory Panel shall be
based solely on established records of distinguished
fundamental and applied scientific service, and the panel shall
contain a reasonable cross-section of views and expertise,
including those regarding the societal, ethical, educational,
legal, and workforce issues related to nanotechnology. In
selecting individuals to serve on the Advisory Panel, the
President shall seek and give due consideration to
recommendations from the Congress, industry, the scientific
community (including the National Academy of Sciences),
scientific professional societies, academia, the defense
community, the education community, State and local
governments, and other appropriate organizations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Meetings.--The Advisory Panel shall meet no
less than twice annually, at such times and places as may be
designated by the Chairman in consultation with the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office established under subsection
5(c) of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Duties.--The Advisory Panel shall advise the
President and the National Science and Technology Council, and
inform the Congress, on matters relating to the National
Nanotechnology Program, including goals, roles, and objectives
within the program, its capabilities and research needs,
guidance on achieving major objectives, and establishing and
measuring performance goals using appropriate metrics. The
Advisory Panel shall issue an annual report, containing the
information required by subsection (d) of this section, to the
President, the Council, the heads of each agency involved in
the program, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the House of Representatives Committee on
Science, on or before September 30 of each year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.--The
President shall establish a National Nanotechnology Coordination
Office, with full-time staff, to provide day-to-day technical and
administrative support to the Council and the Advisory Panel, and to be
the point of contact on Federal nanotechnology activities for
government organizations, academia, industry, professional societies,
State nanotechnology programs, and others to exchange technical and
programmatic information. The Office shall promote full coordination of
research efforts between agencies, scientific disciplines, and United
States industry.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Program Plans and Reports.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Annual evaluation of nanotechnology research
development program.--The report by the Advisory Panel,
required pursuant to subsection (b)(4), shall include--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) a review of the program's technical
success in achieving the stated goals and grand
challenges according to the metrics established by the
program and Advisory Panel;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) a review of the program's management
and coordination;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) a review of the funding levels by each
agency for the program's activities and their ability
to achieve the program's stated goals and grand
challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) a review of the balance in the
program's portfolio and components across agencies and
disciplines;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) an assessment of the degree of
participation in the program by minority serving
institutions and institutions located in States
participating in NSF's EPSCoR program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) a review of policy issues resulting
from advancements in nanotechnology and its effects on
the scientific enterprise, commerce, workforce,
competitiveness, national security, medicine, and
government operations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) recommendations for new program goals
and grand challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) recommendations for new research
areas, partnerships, coordination and management
mechanisms, or programs to be established to achieve
the program's stated goals and grand
challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) recommendations for new investments by
each participating agency in each program funding area
for the 5-year period following the delivery of the
report;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (J) reviews and recommendations regarding
other issues deemed pertinent or specified by the
panel; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (K) a technology transition study which
includes an evaluation of the Federal nanotechnology
research and development program's success in
transitioning its research, technologies, and concepts
into commercial and military products, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) examples of successful
transition of research, technologies, and
concepts from the Federal nanotechnology
research and development program into
commercial and military products;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) best practices of
universities, government, and industry in
promoting efficient and rapid technology
transition in the nanotechnology
sector;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) barriers to efficient
technology transition in the nanotechnology
sector, including, but not limited to,
standards, pace of technological change,
qualification and testing of research products,
intellectual property issues, and Federal
funding; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) recommendations for
government sponsored activities to promote
rapid technology transition in the
nanotechnology sector.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Office of management and budget review.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Budget request review.--Each Federal
agency and department participating in the program
shall, as part of its annual request for
appropriations, submit information to the Office of
Management and Budget including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) each element of its
nanotechnology research and development
activities that contributes directly to the
program or benefits from the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the portion of its request
for appropriations that is allocated to each
such element; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the portion of its request
for appropriations that is allocated to each
program funding area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) OMB review and allocation statement.--
The Office of Management and Budget shall review the
information provided under subparagraph (A) in light of
the goals, priorities, grand challenges, and agency and
departmental responsibilities set forth in the annual
report of the Council under paragraph (3), and shall
include in the President's annual budget estimate, a
statement delineating the amount and portion of each
appropriate agency's or department's annual budget
estimate relating to its activities undertaken pursuant
to the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Annual nstc report to congress on the
nanotechnology research development program.--The National
Science and Technology Council shall submit an annual report to
the Congress that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) includes a detailed description of the
goals, grand challenges, and program funding areas
established by the President for the program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) sets forth the relevant programs and
activities, for the fiscal year with respect to which
the budget submission applies, of each Federal agency
and department, participating in the program, as well
as such other agencies and departments as the President
or the Director considers appropriate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) describes the levels of Federal
funding for the fiscal year during which such report is
submitted, and the levels proposed for the fiscal year
with respect to which the budget submission applies,
for each of the program funding areas of the
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) describes the levels of Federal
funding for each agency and department participating in
the program and each program funding area for the
fiscal year during which such report is submitted, and
the levels proposed for the fiscal year with respect to
which the budget submission applies, and compare these
levels to the most recent recommendations of the
Advisory Panel and the external review of the
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) describes coordination and partnership
activities with State, local, international, and
private sector efforts in nanotechnology research and
development, and how they support the goals of the
program;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) describes mechanisms and efforts used
by the program to assist in the transition of
innovative concepts and technologies from Federally
funded programs into the commercial sector, and
successes in these transition activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) describes coordination between the
military and civilian portions, as well as the life
science and non-life science portions, of the program
in technology development, supporting the goals of the
program, and supporting the mission needs of the
departments and agencies involved;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (H) analyzes the progress made toward
achieving the goals, priorities, and grand challenges
designated for the program according to the metrics
established by the program and the Advisory Panel;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) recommends new mechanisms of
coordination, program funding areas, partnerships, or
activities necessary to achieve the goals, priorities,
and grand challenges established for the
program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Triennial external review of nanotechnology
research and development program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Director of the
National Science Foundation shall enter into an
arrangement with the National Research Council of the
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial
evaluation of the Federal nanotechnology research and
development program, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) a review of the technical
success of the program in achieving the stated
goals and grand challenges under the metrics
established by the program and the
nanotechnology Advisory Panel, and under other
appropriate measurements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) a review of the program's
management and coordination across agencies and
disciplines;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) a review of the funding
levels by each agency for the program's
activities and their ability with such funding
to achieve the program's stated goals and grand
challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) recommendations for new or
revised program goals and grand
challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) recommendations for new
research areas, partnerships, coordination and
management mechanisms, or programs to be
established to achieve the program's stated
goals and grand challenges;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) recommendations for
investment levels in light of goals by each
participating agency in each program funding
area for the 5-year period following the
delivery of the report;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vii) recommendations on policy,
program, and budget changes with respect to
nanotechnology research and development
activities;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (viii) recommendations for
improved metrics to evaluate the success of the
program in accomplishing its stated
goals;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ix) a review of the performance
of the Information Services and Applications
Council and its efforts to promote access to
and early application of the technologies,
innovations, and expertise derived from program
activities to agency missions and systems
across the Federal government and to United
States industry; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (x) an analysis of the relative
position of the United States compared to other
nations with respect to nanotechnology research
and development, including the identification
of any critical research areas where the United
States should be the world leader to best
achieve the goals of the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Evaluation to be transmitted to
congress.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall transmit the results of any evaluation
for which it made arrangements under subparagraph (A)
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the House of Representatives
Committee on Science upon receipt. The first such
evaluation shall be transmitted no later than June 10,
2005, with subsequent evaluations transmitted to the
Committees every 3 years thereafter.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) National Science Foundation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) General authorization.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science
Foundation to carry out the Director's responsibilities under
this Act $346,150,000 for fiscal year 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Specific allocations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology
research centers.--Of the amounts described in
paragraph (1), $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, shall
be available for grants of up to $5,000,000 each for
multidisciplinary nanotechnology research
centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Center for societal, ethical,
educational, legal, and workforce issues related to
nanotechnology.--Of the sums authorized for the
National Science Foundation each fiscal year,
$5,000,000 shall be used to establish a university-
based Center for Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal,
and Workforce Issues Related to
Nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) National nanotechnology coordination
office.--Of the sums authorized for the National
Science Foundation each fiscal year, $5,000,000 shall
be used for the activities of the Nanotechnology
Coordination Office.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Gap funding.--Of the sums authorized
for the National Science Foundation each fiscal year,
$5,000,000 shall be for use in competitive grants as
described in section 4(c)(7) of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Department of Energy.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Secretary's
responsibilities under this Act $160,195,000 for fiscal year
2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out the Administrator's
responsibilities under this Act $58,650,000 for fiscal year
2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) National Institutes of Health.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Director of the National Institutes to carry
out the Director's responsibilities under this Act $49,680,000 for
fiscal year 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out the Director's
responsibilities under this Act $50,600,000 for fiscal year
2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Environmental Protection Agency.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to carry out the Administrator's responsibilities under this Act
$5,750,000 for fiscal year 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (g) Department of Justice.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Institute of Justice to
carry out the Director's responsibilities under this Act $1,610,000 for
fiscal year 2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (h) Department of Transportation.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act $2,300,000 for fiscal year
2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Department of Agriculture.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act $2,870,000 for fiscal year
2004.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. SOCIETAL, ETHICAL, EDUCATIONAL, LEGAL, AND WORKFORCE
ISSUES RELATED TO NANOTECHNOLOGY.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Studies.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall encourage, conduct, coordinate, commission, collect,
and disseminate studies on the societal, ethical, educational, and
workforce implications of nanotechnology through the Center for
Societal, Ethical, Educational, Legal, and Workforce Issues established
under section 4(c)(5). The studies shall identify anticipated issues
and problems, as well as provide recommendations for preventing or
addressing such issues and problems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Data Collection.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall collect data on the size of the anticipated
nanotechnology workforce need by detailed occupation, industry, and
firm characteristics, and assess the adequacy of the trained talent
pool in the United States to fill such workforce needs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Annual Report.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall compile the studies required by paragraph (2) and,
with the assistance of the Center for Societal, Ethical, Educational,
Legal, and Workforce Issues Related to Nanotechnology established under
section 4(c)(5) of this Act, shall complete a report that includes a
description of the Center's activities, which shall be submitted to the
President, the Council, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, and the House of Representatives Committee on Science
not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel''
means the President's National Nanotechnology Panel.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Fundamental research.--The term ``fundamental
research'' means research that builds a fundamental
understanding and leads to discoveries of the phenomena,
processes, and tools necessary to control and manipulate matter
at the nanoscale.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Grand challenge.--The term ``grand challenge''
means a fundamental problem in science or engineering, with
broad economic and scientific impact, whose solution will
require the application of nanotechnology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research
center.--The term ``interdisciplinary nanotechnology research
center'' means a group of 6 or more researchers collaborating
across scientific and engineering disciplines on large-scale
long-term research projects that will significantly advance the
science supporting the development of nanotechnology or the use
of nanotechnology in addressing scientific issues of national
importance, consistent with the goals set forth in section
4(b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Nanotechnology.--The term ``nanotechnology''
means the ability to work at the molecular level, atom-by-atom,
to create large structures with fundamentally new molecular
organization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Program.--The term ``program'' means the
national nanotechnology research program established under
section 4.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Research infrastructure.--The term ``research
infrastructure'' means the measurement science,
instrumentation, modeling and simulation, and user facilities
needed to develop a flexible and enabling infrastructure so
that United States industry can rapidly commercialize new
discoveries in nanotechnology.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``21st Century Nanotechnology Research
and Development Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
(a) National Nanotechnology Program.--The President shall implement
a National Nanotechnology Program. Through appropriate agencies,
councils, and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office
established in subsection (d), the Program shall--
(1) Establish the goals, priorities, grand challenges, and
metrics for evaluation for Federal nanotechnology research,
development, and other activities;
(2) Invest in Federal research and development programs in
nanotechnology and related sciences to achieve those goals; and
(3) Provide for interagency coordination of Federal
nanotechnology research, development, and other activities
undertaken pursuant to the Program.
(b) Goals.--The goals of the National Nanotechnology Program shall
include:
(1) Developing a fundamental understanding of matter that
enables control and manipulation at the nanoscale.
(2) Ensuring United States global leadership in the
development and application of nanotechnology.
(3) Advancing the United States productivity and industrial
competitiveness through stable, consistent, and coordinated
investments in long-term scientific and engineering research in
nanotechnology.
(4) Developing a network of shared facilities and centers
to foster partnerships among researchers in nanotechnology.
(5) Accelerating the deployment and application in the
private sector, including startup companies, of nanoscale-
related research and development.
(6) Providing effective education and training for
researchers and professionals skilled in the multidisciplinary
perspectives necessary for nanotechnology so that a true
interdisciplinary research culture for nanoscale science,
engineering, and technology can emerge.
(7) Ensuring that ethical, legal, environmental, and other
appropriate societal concerns are considered during the
development of nanotechnology, including safer sustainable
nanoscience products and processing.
(c) Program Management.--The National Science and Technology
Council shall oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the
National Nanotechnology Program. The Council, itself or through an
appropriate subgroup it designates or establishes, shall--
(1) establish a set of broad applications of nanotechnology
research and development, or grand challenges, to be met by the
results and activities of the Program, based on national needs;
(2) provide for interagency coordination of the Program,
including with the activities of the Defense Nanotechnology
Research and Development Program established under section 246
of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2003 (Public Law 107-314);
(3) develop, within 12 months after the date of enactment
of this Act, and update every 4 years thereafter, a strategic
plan to meet the goals and priorities established under
subsection (b) and to guide the activities and anticipated
outcomes of the participating agencies, including a description
of how the Program will move results out of the laboratory and
into application for the benefit of society, support for long-
term funding for multidisciplinary research and development in
technology, and dedication of funding for interagency
nanotechnology projects;
(4) coordinate the budget requests of each of the agencies
involved in the Program with the Office of Management and
Budget to ensure that a balanced nanotechnology research
portfolio is maintained in order to ensure the appropriate
level of research effort;
(5) exchange information with academic, industry, State and
local government (including State and regional nanotechnology
programs), and other appropriate groups conducting research on
and using nanotechnology;
(6) develop a plan to utilize Federal programs, such as the
Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small
Business Technology Transfer Research Program, in support of
the goal stated in subsection (b)(5);
(7) identify research areas that are not being adequately
addressed by the agencies' current research programs;
(8) encourage progress on Program goals through the
utilization of existing manufacturing facilities and industrial
infrastructures such as, but not limited to, the employment of
underutilized manufacturing facilities in areas of high
unemployment as production engineering and research testbeds;
and
(9) provide for, on a merit-reviewed, competitive basis,
interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers, which to the
greatest extent possible, shall be established in
geographically diverse centers including at least one center in
a State participating in the National Science Foundation's
(NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR), established under section 113 of the NSF
Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862(g)) and shall
encourage the participation of minority serving institutions at
these centers.
(d) Program Coordination.--The President shall establish a National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office, with full-time staff, which shall--
(1) provide technical and administrative support to the
Council and the Advisory Panel;
(2) serve as the point of contact on Federal nanotechnology
activities for government organizations, academia, industry,
professional societies, State nanotechnology programs,
interested citizen groups, and others to exchange technical and
programmatic information;
(3) conduct public outreach, including dissemination of
findings and recommendations of the Advisory Panel, as
appropriate; and
(4) establish an office to promote access to and early
application of the technologies, innovations, and expertise
derived from Program activities to agency missions and systems
across the Federal Government, and to United States industry,
including startup companies.
(e) Annual Report.--The Council shall prepare an annual report, to
be submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Science and
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation at the
time of the President's budget request to Congress, that includes--
(1) the Program budget, for the current fiscal year, for
each agency that participates in the Program, including a
breakout of spending for the development and acquisition of
research facilities and instrumentation, for each program
component area, and for all activities pursuant to subsection
(b)(7), which shall be submitted by December 31st of such year;
(2) the proposed Program budget for the next fiscal year,
for each agency that participates in the Program, including a
breakout of spending for the development and acquisition of
research facilities and instrumentation, for each program
component area, and for all activities pursuant to subsection
(b)(7);
(3) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the
goals and priorities established for the Program;
(4) an analysis of the extent to which the Program has
incorporated the recommendations of the Advisory Panel and the
Center, established in section 7 of this Act; and
(5) an assessment of how Federal agencies are implementing
the plan described in section (c)(7), and a description of the
amount of Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business
Technology Transfer Research funds supporting the plan.
SEC. 3. ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish or designate a
National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.
(b) Qualifications.--The Panel established or designated by the
President under subsection (a) shall consist primarily of individuals
who are non-Federal members and shall include representatives of
academia and industry. Members of such Panel shall be qualified to
provide advice and information on nanotechnology research, development,
demonstrations, education, technology transfer, commercial application,
or societal and ethical concerns. In selecting or designating an
Advisory Panel, the President may also seek and give consideration to
recommendations from the Congress, industry, the scientific community
(including the National Academy of Sciences), scientific professional
societies, academia, the defense community, State and local
governments, regional nanotechnology programs, and other appropriate
organizations.
(c) Duties.--The Panel shall advise the President and the Council
on matters relating to the Program, including assessing--
(1) trends and developments in nanotechnology science and
engineering;
(2) progress made in implementing the Program;
(3) the need to revise the Program;
(4) the balance among the components of the Program,
including funding levels for the program component areas;
(5) whether the Program component areas, priorities, and
technical goals developed by the Council are helping to
maintain United States leadership in nanotechnology;
(6) the management, coordination, implementation, and
activities of the Program; and
(7) whether societal, ethical, environmental, and workforce
concerns are adequately addressed by the Program.
(d) Reports.--The Advisory Panel shall report, not less frequently
than once every 2 fiscal years, to the President, the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Technology, and the House of Representatives
Committee on Science on its assessments under subsection (c) and its
recommendations for ways to improve the Program. The first report under
this subsection shall be submitted within 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(e) Travel Expenses of Non-Federal Members.--Non-Federal members of
the Panel, while attending meetings of the Panel or while otherwise
serving at the request of the head of the Panel away from their homes
or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section
5703 of title 5, United States Code, for individuals in the Government
serving without pay. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
prohibit members of the Panel who are officers or employees of the
United States from being allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with existing law.
SEC. 4. TRIENNIAL EXTERNAL REVIEW OF NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council of
the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial evaluation of
the National Nanotechnology Program, including--
(1) a review of the technical success of the Program in
achieving the stated goals under the metrics established by the
Program and the Advisory Panel, and under other appropriate
measurements;
(2) a review of the Program's management and coordination
across agencies and disciplines;
(3) a review of the funding levels by each agency for the
Program's activities and their ability with such funding to
achieve the Program's stated goals;
(4) recommendations for new or revised Program goals;
(5) recommendations for new research areas, partnerships,
coordination and management mechanisms, or programs to be
established to achieve the Program's stated goals;
(6) recommendations for investment levels by each
participating agency in each Program funding area for the 5-
year period following the delivery of the report;
(7) recommendations on policy, program, and budget changes
with respect to nanotechnology research and development
activities;
(8) recommendations for improved metrics to evaluate the
success of the Program in accomplishing its stated goals;
(9) a review of the performance of the National
Nanotechnology Coordination Office and its efforts to promote
access to and early application of the technologies,
innovations, and expertise derived from program activities to
agency missions and systems across the Federal Government and
to United States industry; and
(10) an analysis of the relative position of the United
States compared to other nations with respect to nanotechnology
research and development, including the identification of any
critical research areas where the United States should be the
world leader to best achieve the goals of the Program.
(b) Evaluation To Be Transmitted to Congress.--The Director of the
National Science Foundation shall transmit the results of any
evaluation for which it made arrangements under subsection (a) to the
Advisory Panel, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Science
upon receipt. The first such evaluation shall be transmitted no later
than June 10, 2005, with subsequent evaluations transmitted to the
Committees every 3 years thereafter.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) National Science Foundation.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out
the Director's responsibilities under this Act--
(A) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(B) $385,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(C) $424,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(D) $449,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(E) $476,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(2) Specific allocations.--
(A) Interdisciplinary nanotechnology research
centers.--Of the amounts authorized by paragraph (1)
for each fiscal year, $50,000,000 for each fiscal year
shall be available for grants of up to $5,000,000 each
for multidisciplinary nanotechnology research centers.
(B) American nanotechnology preparedness center.--
Of the amounts authorized by paragraph (1) for each
fiscal year, $5,000,000 shall be used to establish and
maintain a university-based American Nanotechnology
Preparedness Center.
(C) National nanotechnology coordination office.--
Of the sums authorized by paragraph (1) for each fiscal
year, $5,000,000 shall be used for the activities of
the Nanotechnology Coordination Office.
(D) Manufacturing technologies for nanomaterials.--
Of the sums authorized by paragraph (1) for each fiscal
year, $5,000,000 shall be used for the activities of
the Center for Nanomaterials Manufacturing.
(b) Department of Energy.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Secretary's
responsibilities under this Act--
(A) $265,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(B) $292,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(C) $321,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(D) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(E) $360,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(2) Allocation.--Of the sums authorized by paragraph (1)
for each fiscal year, $25,000,000 shall be used on a merit-
reviewed and competitive basis to support consortia that
integrate newly developed nanotechnology and microfluidic tools
with systems biology, immunology, and molecular imaging, of
which at least 1 such consortium shall be provided with at
least $10,000,000 for each fiscal year.
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration to carry out the Administrator's
responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $34,100,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $37,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $42,300,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(d) National Institutes of Health.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Institutes to carry out
the Director's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $77,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $85,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Institute
of Standards and Technology to carry out the Director's
responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $62,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $68,200,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $84,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(f) Environmental Protection Agency.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency to carry out the Administrator's responsibilities under this
Act--
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $6,050,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $6,413,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $6,800,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(g) Department of Justice.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Director of the National Institute of Justice to carry out the
Director's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $1,210,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $1,283,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $1,360,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(h) Department of Homeland Security.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $2,420,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $2,570,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $2,720,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(i) Department of Agriculture.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the
Secretary's responsibilities under this Act--
(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(2) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(3) $12,100,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(4) $12,830,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
(5) $13,600,000 for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 6. AMERICAN NANOTECHNOLOGY PREPAREDNESS CENTER.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall, on a merit-reviewed and competitive basis, establish a new
American Nanotechnology Preparedness Center to encourage, conduct,
coordinate, commission, collect, and disseminate research on the
educational, legal, workforce, societal, and ethical issues related to
nanotechnology.
(b) Studies.--The Director of the National Science Foundation,
through the Center, shall conduct, coordinate, commission, collect, and
disseminate studies on the educational, legal, workforce, societal, and
ethical implications of nanotechnology. The studies shall identify
anticipated issues and problems, as well as provide recommendations for
preventing or addressing such issues and problems.
(c) Workforce Data.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall collect data on the size of the anticipated
nanotechnology workforce need by detailed occupation, industry, and
firm characteristics, and assess the adequacy of the trained talent
pool in the United States to fill such workforce needs.
(d) Annual Report.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall compile the studies required by paragraph (b) and, with the
assistance of the Center, shall complete a report that includes a
description of the Center's activities, which shall be submitted to the
President, the Council, the Advisory Panel, the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House of Representatives
Committee on Science not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 7. COMMERCIALIZATION ISSUES RELATED TO NANOSCIENCE AND
NANOTECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish a center within NIST's
Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory for issues relating to the
commercialization of nanoscience and nanotechnology research. The
program shall--
(1) conduct basic research on issues related to the
development and manufacture of nanotechnology including--
(A) metrology;
(B) reliability and quality assurance;
(C) processes control; and
(D) manufacturing best practices; and
(2) in consultation with the National Technical Information
Service and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office,
act as a clearinghouse for information related to
commercialization of nanoscience and nanotechnology research,
including--
(A) information relating activities by regional,
state, and local commercial nanotechnology initiatives;
(B) transition of research, technologies, and
concepts from Federal nanotechnology research and
development programs into commercial and military
products;
(C) best practices by government, university and
private sector laboratories transitioning technology to
commercial use;
(D) examples of ways to overcome barriers and
challenges to technology deployment; and
(E) use of existing manufacturing infrastructure
and workforce.
(b) Use of Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.--The
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
utilize the manufacturing extension partnership program to the extent
possible to reach small and medium sized manufacturing companies.
(c) Manufacturing Technologies for Nanomaterials.--The Director of
the National Science Foundation shall establish, on a merit-reviewed,
competitive basis, a new Center for Nanomaterials Manufacturing to
encourage the development and transfer of technologies for the
manufacture of nanomaterials. The Center will encourage, conduct,
coordinate, commission, collect, and disseminate research on new
manufacturing technologies for materials with unprecedented
combinations of strength, toughness, lightness, flame resistance, and
membrane separation characteristics, and develop mechanisms to transfer
such manufacturing technologies to United States industries.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
President's National Nanotechnology Panel established or
designated under section 3.
(2) Fundamental research.--The term ``fundamental
research'' means research that builds a fundamental
understanding and leads to discoveries of the phenomena,
processes, and tools necessary to control and manipulate matter
at the nanoscale.
(3) Nanotechnology.--The term ``nanotechnology'' means the
ability to work at the molecular level, atom-by-atom, to create
large structures with fundamentally new molecular organization.
(4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the National
Nanotechnology Program established under section 2.
(5) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National
Science and Technology Council or an appropriate subgroup
designated by the Council under section 2(c).
(6) Grand challenge.--The term ``grand challenge'' means a
fundamental problem in science or engineering, with broad
potential economic and scientific impact, the solution to which
will require the application of nanotechnology research.
Calendar No. 280
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 189
[Report No. 108-147]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for nanoscience, nanoengineering, and
nanotechnology research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
September 15, 2003
Reported with an amendment