WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Commerce Committee today convened a Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on capturing the economic and societal potential of nanotechnology investment. The hearing examined the potential of nanotechnology, federal initiatives to coordinate research investments, barriers to commercialization, possible environmental and health risks, and steps Congress can take to improve the return on federal nanotechnology investments.

Witness List:

Dr. Chad A. Mirkin, Director, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University and Member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

Dr. Charles (Chuck) H. Romine, Acting Associate Director, Laboratory Programs, and Principal Deputy, Office of the Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Dr. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, Director, West Virginia Nano Initiative and Professor of Physics, West Virginia University

Dr. Thomas O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida; Executive Director, University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program

Dr. George L. McLendon, Howard R. Hughes Provost and Professor of Chemistry, Rice University

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize such areas as health care, information technology, energy, homeland security, food safety, and transportation. And at a time when Americans and American businesses are struggling financially, we must do whatever we can to stimulate the economy. This Committee has spent a lot of time this Congress focusing on job creation and manufacturing. I believe nanotechnology plays a key role in boosting the economy and creating jobs.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“This industry is a key to getting our economy back on track and remaining a leader in science and technology. Dr. O’Neal and University of Central Florida’s program already have created over 1,600 jobs, showing us why Congress should support and develop this field.”

Senator Bill Nelson, Chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Science and Space

“Why is there so much interest in nanotechnology? The reason is simple; it has the potential to transform almost every aspect of our lives by providing rapid routes to addressing some of the most pressing problems in health care, electronics, energy, and the environment. One of the lessons learned over the first ten years is that every material, when miniaturized, has new properties, and many of these properties can be used to create applications and technologies that solve these problems.”

Dr. Chad A. Mirkin, Director, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University and Member of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

“Nanotechnology standards foster greater industry and consumer confidence, resulting in accelerated deployment of new products. NIST staff members actively lead the development of international nanotechnology standards and guidelines conducted through international fora and coordinated with other agencies through the NSTC. Altogether these activities create favorable conditions for the responsible transfer of nanotechnologies into products for commercial and public benefit.”

Dr. Charles (Chuck) H. Romine, Acting Associate Director, Laboratory Programs, and Principal Deputy, Office of the Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

"There’s an unfortunate perception that emphasis on understanding the environmental health and safety aspects of nanomaterials is a hindrance to using nanomaterials to drive the economy. Understanding nanomaterials bioactivity is a critical component of developing safe products and building consumer confidence in nanotechnology. It’s also a potential business opportunity.”

Dr. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, Director, West Virginia Nano Initiative and Professor of Physics, West Virginia University

“Advances in the field of nanoscience present a tremendous opportunity to improve the quality of life and create economic wealth. It represents a long-term investment with large returns. We must continue to press forward in nanotechnology development with a sense of urgency.”

Dr. Thomas O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida; Executive Director, University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program

“A new reauthorization will allow the Federal Government, universities, and the private sector to work to find creative ways to bring these promising technologies to the market more quickly and economically. In the absence of reauthorization, these agencies will be focused in different directions and the industry will struggle to transition into the next stage while other countries continue to close the existing gap.”

Dr. George L. McLendon, Howard R. Hughes Provost and Professor of Chemistry, Rice University

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