1. Plan for a Study of Progress and Opportunities in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology R&D
Duane Shelton
December 10, 2009
August 27, 2008

2. WTEC Background
WTEC is a non-profit institute that leads in international R&D assessments
It operates under a peer-reviewed award from the NSF/ENG head-office.
Michael Reischman, DAD, is the program officer
Individual studies are jointly funded by several agencies and NSF offices by transfers to ENG

3. WTEC Also Supports Nano
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) drew on facts from a 1999 WTEC international study
WTEC also helped publish reports and books that planned the nano funding
WTEC has provided research staff support from the beginning
It has 6 staffers at the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) at NSF

4. Purposes of Studies Generally
Guide U.S. research investments
Look for good ideas abroad (tech transfer)
Look for opportunities for cooperation
Compare U.S. R&D with those abroad

5. Recent WTEC International Studies ‏
Rapid Vaccine Manufacturing in Europe (NSF, NIST, NIH, USDA)
Carbon Nanotube Manufacturing and Applications (NSF, ONR, NIBIB, NIST)
Catalysis by Nanostructured Materials (NSF, DOE, AFOSR, DTRA)‏
Simulation-Based Engineering & Science (24 programs at 4 agencies)‏
Note: World Scientific has agreed to publish all four of these as books.

6. Flexible Hybrid Electronics in Europe (NSF, ONR)
Current WTEC International Studies ‏
Flexible Hybrid Electronics in Europe (NSF, ONR)
Rapid Vaccines in Asia (NSF, BARDA)
Disability Research (NSF)‏
Nano Progress and Opportunity (NSF, et al.)
Note: Springer is interested in publishing Flex and Nano reports as books.

7. Purposes of This Study
A systematic evaluation of the progress in nanoscale S&E in the last 10 years, worldwide
Discuss U. S. R&D research directions for next 10 years, based on current research and scenario development

8. Project Plan Recruit outstanding panel of U.S. researchers
Organize scientific progress and opportunity meetings with top researchers in the US and abroad
Some site visits to leading labs abroad
Present findings in U.S. workshop
Document in quality report and book

9. Technical Issues Fundamental science Investigative tools
Synthesis, assembly, processing of nanostructures
Applications (see white paper)
Nanoscale processes and the environment
Infrastructure needs for R&D and education

10. Some Research Questions-I
What have been the most important discoveries and innovations?
How has strategy for nano R&D changed?
How have technological impacts changed?
How has the structure of science and engineering been changed?
What ideas are emerging abroad that might be pursued in the U.S.?

11. Some Research Questions-II
What has been the global impact of focused nano R&D funding?
How are ideas being transferred to applications here and abroad? (How can we encourage U.S. manufacturing?)
What lessons might guide future focused funding initiatives?
(More in white paper, and your ideas are welcome.)

12. Draft Schedule Dec: Kickoff Meeting (today) Feb: US P&O Meetings
Apr: EU P&O Meetings
May: Asian P&O Meetings
Jun: Final Workshop on Findings
Aug: Draft Final Report
Oct: Final Report / Book Manuscript

13. WTEC Staff for This Project
Dr. Duane Shelton, President
Mr. Geoff Holdridge, VP, Advisor & Institutional Memory
Dr. Ben Benokraitis, VP, Project Manager
Dr. Grant Lewison, European Advance Contractor
Ms. Remi Kumagai, Asian Advance Contractor
Mr. Chris McGee, Director of Finance

14. More information Briefing books for this meeting
Draft statement of work
WTEC generally
Website for study
Mike Roco, or
Ben Benokraitis or

15. WTEC Methods Write grant proposals that can pass peer review
Establish a coalition of sponsors who have resources to make it happen
Recruit a great panel from USG nominations
Conduct the study effectively; USG participates in decisions—like where to go
Maintain good host relations, so we can return in future studies
Publish an outstanding report

16. Report Editing
Our reports are of academic quality with full citations, etc.
Analytical chapters written by experts Site reports are merely an appendix
Published in 9 books; we have Springer series with 4 published, 4 more in press for Imperial College Press
Distribution by paper media pales in comparison to Web downloads