America is the model for realizing the benefits of technological leadership through the responsible development of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is critical for American Competitiveness. The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act was designed to make America a global leader in the then-new field of nanotechnology. Today, five years later as it comes up for re-authorization, it has put the United States in a position to realize that goal.  U.S. nanotech companies are developing innovations that hold the potential to cure cancer, provide cheap, renewable energy and clean water, lessen our environmental impact, lead to the next generation of high-performance materials and change the future of computing and electronics. The U.S. has more nanotech companies across more sectors than any other country and it leads the world in nanotech patents and highly-cited publications.

The nanotech industry is responsible and engaged in dealing with EH&S matters. The U.S. leads the world in responsible, Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S)-conscious nanotech stewardship. The two agencies with the strongest EH&S mandates, NIOSH and the EPA, are engaging with industry to develop voluntary programs to collect data. And while similar voluntary programs in the U.K. are struggling, the nanotech companies in America have responded enthusiastically and engaged with NIOSH and the EPA to ensure the programs work.  American companies also work harder to be safe - a recent, global survey of workplace safety practices in nanotech companies found that “North American organizations more frequently reported administering nano-specific [EH&S] programs [and] using high capital cost engineering controls.”

America must continue investing in nanotechnology to maintain its lead. Foreign competitors, particularly in Asia, are increasing their spending on nanotech research and, in some cases, have exceeded America in the amount spent per capita on nanotech.  We must level the playing field by promoting the availability of seed-stage capital for our innovators and encouraging companies to invest in research and development. Our proactive approach to EH&S stewardship must be supported with sufficient funding for high-priority research to ensure that EH&S research keeps pace with development.

To maintain American competitiveness, we must evolve and reauthorize the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act in a manner that reflects the progress over the past 5 years and the increasing importance of the private sector in nanotechnology’s development.  The private sector will play a pivotal role and the Federal government should seek to encourage private sector investment in nanotech commercialization in companies large and small. 

Key Recommendations for Nanotech Commercialization

• Level the playing field for American business investment in R&D. Co-sponsor the Research Competitiveness Act of 2007 (S. 41), which  creates a tax incentive for investors in innovative small businesses and makes the R&D tax credit permanent. This legislation will help entrepreneurs attract seed-stage capital, while boosting our rate of nanotech innovation by guaranteeing the tax credit in future years.
• Maintain commitment to federal funding of nanotech research. Re-authorize “The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act” and continue growth in funding.

Key Recommendations for Nanotech Environmental, Health and Safety

• Fund the prioritization of the EH&S research needs identified by the NNI. The NNI has developed a list of EH&S research needs which need to be prioritized using a risk-based approach, with associated costs subsequently determined. This process will require an estimated $1 million.
• Fund agencies to execute on high priority research needs. Agencies such as EPA, NIOSH and NIH should be fully funded to bear the costs of executing on the high-priority research needs identified by the process mentioned above. This will require an estimated $100 million.
• Support the development of voluntary programs.  EPA and NIOSH should receive adequate funding to develop and implement their voluntary programs.
• Clarify the application of existing regulatory frameworks to nanomaterials.  Agencies should clarify how existing regulations under the TSCA, FIFRA, and other statutes apply to nanomaterials.