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Governance, policy, and legislation of nanotechnology: a perspective

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Abstract

Nanotechnology refers to technology done at nanoscale that has applications in the real world. Unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials can be exploited for applications that benefit society. Nanotechnology represents a “megatrend” and has become a “general purpose” technology. An executive action of 2000, the National Nanotechnology Initiative was formalized with the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act in 2003. Through FY2015, federal R&D investment has been about $20 billion, with annual investment in FY2015 of about $1.5B, and more than double that by the private sector. The revenues from nano-enabled products continue growing, with over $200B in FY2012 in the US alone. This represents an impressive return on investment. Reauthorization of the Initiative is needed to address concerns, including emphasis on commercialization. Research on potential safety issues of nanotechnology, development of workforce, and curriculum should be continued. In this paper, we present governance, policy, and legislation of nanotechnology.

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Abbreviations

AFM:

Atomic Force Microscopy

BioMEMS:

BioMicroElectroMechanical Systems

BioNEMS:

BioNanoElectroMechanical Systems

CPSC:

Consumer Product Safety Commission

DOD:

Department of Defense

DOE:

Department of Energy

EHS:

Environmental Health and Safety

EOP:

Executive Office of the President

EPA:

Environmental Protection Agency

EU:

European Union

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

FS:

Forestry Service

GAO:

Government Accountability Office

IC:

Intelligence Community

IWGN:

Interagency Working Group on Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology

MEMS:

MicroElectroMechanical Systems

MOEMS:

MicroOptoElectroMechanical Systems

MST:

Microsystems Technology

NACK:

Nanotechnology Applications and Career Knowledge

NASA:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NCMS:

National Center for Manufacturing Sciences

NEMS:

NanoElectroMechanical Systems

NIFA:

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIH:

National Institutes of Health

NIOSH:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NIST:

National Institute of Standards and Technology

NNAP:

National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel

NNCO:

National Nanotechnology Coordination Office

NNI:

National Nanotechnology Initiative

NNIN:

National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

NOEMS:

NanoOptoElectroMecanical Systems

NRDA:

Nanotechnology Research and Development Act

NSET:

Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology

NSF:

National Science Foundation

NSIs:

Nanotechnology Signature Initiatives

NSTC:

National Science and Technology Council

OECD:

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OMB:

Office of Management and Budget

OSHA:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSTP:

Office of Science and Technology Policy

PCAST:

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

R&D:

Research and Development

RF-MEMS:

Radio Frequency MicroElectroMechanical Systems

RF-NEMS:

Radio Frequency NanoElectroMechanical Systems

STM:

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

SWNT:

Single Walled Nanotube

USDA:

US Department of Agriculture

USPTO:

US Patent and Trademark Office

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Acknowledgments

The author served as an ASME Science and Technology Policy Fellow for the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in the US Congress in 2013–2014. The paper is based in part on his participation on nanotechnology policy and legislation during his fellowship period. He thanks the staff and legislators on the committee for broad education in science and public policy. The paper is based in part on a keynote talk titled “Governance of Nanotechnology and the Legislation in Preparation,” given by the author at the 2014 NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantees Conference in Arlington, VA in December 2014. This paper is dedicated to two individuals: Dr. Mihail C. Roco, Senior Advisor for Nanotechnology at the NSF, who has contributed immensely in R&D administration and being a champion for nanotechnology since its inception, and Dr. Thomas Kalil, Deputy Director for Technology and Innovation at the OSTP, who has ably guided US technology policy to benefit science and the economy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- and Nanotechnology and Biomimetics (NLBB), The Ohio State University, 201 W. 19th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

  2. Affiliated Faculty, Battelle Center for Science and Technology Policy, The John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University, 1810 College Road, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

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  1. Bharat Bhushan
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Correspondence to Bharat Bhushan.

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Bhushan, B. Governance, policy, and legislation of nanotechnology: a perspective. Microsyst Technol 21, 1137–1155 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-015-2511-x

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