House Passes Nanotechnology Bill
Legislation intended to strengthen and provide transparency in federal nanotechnology research efforts passed the House on Wednesday. The bill is identical to one that was approved by the chamber in the 110th Congress. House Science and Technology Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon lauded the news, saying "there is no doubt that the potential of this technology is vast" since it is already part of cellular phones, cosmetics, paints and refrigerators and will soon help protect the lives of police officers and military servicemen.
Specifically, the bill requires that the multi-agency National Nanotechnology Initiative develop a plan for environmental and safety research components including explicit near-term and long-term goals, specifics about the funding required to attain those goals, and details about the role of each participating entity. The measure also assigns responsibility to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to oversee the planning and ensure the agencies allocate the resources necessary to carry it out.
The legislation also includes provisions aimed at capturing the economic benefits of nanotechnology by encouraging the creation of industry liaison groups to foster technology transfer and to help guide the NNI research agenda. The bill also authorizes large-scale, focused, multi-agency R&D initiatives in areas of national need. Additionally, the bill addresses the future workforce by supporting the development of undergraduate courses in nanotechnology fields. A companion bill has not been introduced in the Senate.
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