Initial Publication Date: May 27, 2024

National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)

National NanoTechnology Initiative-- ".... a U.S. Government research and development (R&D) initiative involving 20 departments and independent agencies working together toward the shared vision of "a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to a revolution in technology and industry that benefits society." For more details about the NNI Goals and supporting objectives, see the 2021 NNI Strategic Plan to learn more about national research priorities related to nanotechnology/science. The NNI expedites the discovery, development, and deployment of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology to serve the public good through a program of coordinated research and development aligned with the missions of the participating agencies. In order to realize the NNI vision, the NNI agencies work collectively toward five strategic goals:

Goal 1. Ensure that the United States remains a world leader in nanotechnology research and development.
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At the heart of the NNI is support for nanotechnology R&D across the entire continuum, from basic research that fuels new discoveries through application-driven advanced research and development that leads to new products in the market. Proposed solutions leveraging the unique properties at the nanoscale successfully compete for funding in general research solicitations, and agencies now rarely specify nanotechnology in requests for proposals, in contrast to the early days of the NNI. While this
reflects the successful embedding of nanotechnology throughout the R&D enterprise, it makes coordination more difficult, and perhaps more important than ever to ensure that resources, knowledge, and synergies are fully leveraged. The NNI agencies will continue to use their full suite of authorities and mechanisms to fund nanotechnology R&D, and more deliberate mechanisms will be used to connect and build communities, both within the NNI and with other initiatives and priorities. National Nanotechnology Challenges are being introduced in this plan to mobilize the nanotechnology community to help address global issues.
Goal 2. Promote commercialization of nanotechnology R&D.
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The NNI will enhance efforts to accelerate the scale-up, translation, and commercial application of nanotechnology R&D into the marketplace to ensure that economic, environmental, and societal benefits are realized and to help the Nation build back better with high-paying jobs. Additional efforts supporting this goal are perhaps the most significant updates to the strategic plan and address the critical needs identified by the NASEM committee. More explicit connections will be made to broad agency efforts that support transition of nanotechnologies to the regional ecosystems that exist across all of America. Efforts will include expanding the Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network6 as a
forum to connect innovators and share best practices.
Goal 3. Provide the infrastructure to sustainably support nanotechnology research, development, and deployment.
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The need for expensive, specialized tools remains a key requirement for much of nanotechnology R&D. A hallmark of the NNI has been the support of physical and cyber user facilities, which not only democratize nanoscience across the ecosystem but also serve as a platform to educate and train students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers, and builders. NNI agencies recognize the importance of providing access to cutting-edge tools by upgrading and refreshing toolsets, as well as supporting the acquisition and maintenance of "workhorse" instruments. The NNI will support the increasing role of the cyber infrastructure (e.g., models, simulations, and data) that is critical for nanotechnology innovation enhanced by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced design tools. Facilities that support prototyping and early stages of the manufacturing process are also important for the development community and will be explored in collaboration with the private sector.
Goal 4. Engage the public and expand the nanotechnology workforce.
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The future of the NNI depends on a highly skilled workforce across the entire technology development pathway. In addition to targeted nanotechnology education, the novel properties at the nanoscale can provide a spark to excite students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and help build a robust domestic workforce. NNCO and the NNI agencies use a variety of mechanisms to support public outreach and education from "K to grey" and will emphasize opportunities and access to resources, especially for people in traditionally underserved communities. In recognition of the importance of education, workforce development, and public engagement to the
entire nanotechnology enterprise, these areas are now a stand-alone goal of the NNI.
Goal 5. Ensure the responsible development of nanotechnology.
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The responsible development of nanotechnology has been an integral part of the NNI since its inception, and the initiative has proactively considered potential implications and technology applications at the same time. Just as scientific understanding of nanomaterials has deepened and matured, the understanding of responsible development also has evolved. The responsible development framework articulated in this plan embraces new ideas that have emerged and builds upon concepts originally included in the NNI's responsible development efforts. A key tenet of responsible development remains the protection of human health and the environment through an understanding of not only the applications of nanomaterials, but also the potential implications. Responsible development further includes consideration of ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) as well as a new emphasis on inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) and the responsible conduct of research.

An excellent overview of the advances made through NNI can be found at: Roco, M.C., 2023. National Nanotechnology Initiative at 20 years: enabling new horizons. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 25(10), p.197. "NNI was announced by President Clinton in January 2000 and formalized as a long-term national initiative by the US Congress in December 2003. Over thirty US research and regulatory agencies participate with a cumulative public R&D investment of about $40 billion by 2023. The initiative aims to establish a general-purpose science and technology field for matter, energy, and life systems, with anticipatory governance of societal implications. The revenues from products where nanotechnology is a condition for competitiveness have been estimated to increase by about 25% annually on average from 2000 to 2020 reaching about $3 trillion worldwide, of which about one-fourth is in the US."

CREATING A NATIONAL INITIATIVE:NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE (NNI) at 20 YEARS -- 2022 NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantees Conference, Video and numerous foundational references.
NNI 20th Anniversary Enabling the Technology Revolution: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, March 5, 2024 hosted at NASEM.

Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Research Strategy, from NNI. See also the NNI Environmental, Health and Safety-Related Documents:

Vision In support of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), the vision for environmental, health, and safety research in nanotechnology is a future in which nanotechnology provides maximum benefit to the environment and to human social and economic well-being.
Mission The NNI agencies serve the public good through the development and deployment of a coordinated
nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety research strategy that:
- Protects public health and the environment
- Employs science-based risk analysis and risk management
- Fosters technological advancements that benefit society
Highlights of Recent Research on Environmental, Health, and Safety Implications of Engineered Nanomaterials (2017)--"Description: Nanotechnology involves harnessing the unique properties of materials at the nanoscale to enable innovation. Nanotechnology has an established role in fields as diverse as electronics, energy, environmental remediation, and medicine. Addressing potential nanotechnology-related environmental, health, and safety (nanoEHS) issues is essential to the safe and responsible development of nanomaterials and nanotechnology-enabled products—a key goal of the U.S. Government's National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) [1]. While considerable progress has been made in characterizing the potential risk posed by engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), research and development of products and devices containing nanomaterials (nanotechnology-enabled products, or NEPs) continues at a rapid and accelerating pace. The evolving applications of nanotechnology require continuously refining and advancing ways to detect, measure, and assess ENM behavior in settings that reflect realistic workplace, consumer, and environmental exposures in order to develop effective management strategies. Furthermore, by ensuring that a robust scientific framework is available for evaluating nanomaterial applications, nanoEHS research promotes productivity in advanced materials and manufacturing."
Quantifying Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials (QEEN) from Manufactured Products--Addressing Environmental, Health, and Safety Implications (2015)-- "Description: This report on Quantifying Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials (QEEN) from Manufactured Products – Addressing Environmental, Health, and Safety Implications is the result of a technical workshop sponsored by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and co-hosted by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) on July 7 and 8, 2015, in Arlington, VA. The main goals for the workshop were to (1) assess progress in developing tools and methods for quantifying exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) across the product life cycle, and (2) to identify new research needed to advance nanotechnology environmental, health, and safety exposure assessment for nanotechnology-enabled products. The workshop included an overview of the field by exposure science experts as well as technical sessions highlighting current research on quantifying exposure at different stages of the product life cycle and in different product media and environments. It also included a poster session and several roundtable discussions organized to help participants better understand the challenges and accomplishments thus far in exposure science."

See also links to NIOSH and OSHA Safety in Nanoscience

Nanotechnology Guidance from NIOSH--NIOSH is helping employers understand best practices to meet exposure targets. NIOSH was the first U.S. government agency to establish recommended exposure limits (RELs) for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs).
- Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide, Current Intelligence Bulletin 63
- Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers, Current Intelligence Bulletin 65
- Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Silver Nanomaterials, Current Intelligence Bulletin 70
Working Safely with Nanomaterials, OSHA Fact Sheet--"Workers who use nanotechnology in research or production processes may be exposed to nanomaterials through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. This fact sheet provides basic information to workers and employers on the most current understanding of potential hazards associated with this rapidly-developing technology and highlights measures to control exposure to nanomaterials in the workplace

Nanotechnology-inspired Grand Challenges in the United States--Presentation by Mike Roco (NSF nd NNI); NNI Signature Initiatives include Sustainable Nanomanufacturing, Nanoelectronics for 2020 and Beyond, Water Sustainability through Nanotechnology, Nanotechnology Knowledge Infrastructure, Nanotechnology for Sensors (and other topics: nanomodular systems, nanomedicine, nanocellulose, nanophotonics, nano for infrastructure, nano-city).

Additional opportunities through the NNI include:

NextTech Student Network--NextTech is a network of student-run clubs at universities and colleges across the country. They convene an Annual Student Leaders Conference and also have created an online collection of Professional Development Webinars and Videos. This network helps to:
- raise awareness of current research and potential applications of nano and other emerging technologies;
- build an interdisciplinary community of students with a focus on future technologies;
- facilitate interactions and connections between faculty, industry and government professionals, and students; and
- promote opportunities for students interested in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Stories from the NNI-- Listen to Stories from the NNI podcast, in which experts share their perspectives on advances that have been made and future prospects of nanotechnology.
Nano Matters--This podcast series features voices from the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). Researchers and innovators discuss their work at the nanoscale, the challenges they've faced, and how they've connected with the NNI.
Nano Entrepreneurship Network Network Podcasts--"The Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) brings new and seasoned entrepreneurs together with the people and resources available to support them. The NEN podcast highlights best practices, resources, and advice from entrepreneurs."
NanoTube -- the NNI YouTube Channel; This is the YouTube channel for the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), a U.S. Government research and development initiative that coordinates funding for nanotechnology among the participating Federal departments and agencies. 424 Videos are posted.