S 3274 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reauthorize the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 16, 2008CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. KERRY (for himself, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. STEVENS, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. SMITH, and Mr. WYDEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reauthorize the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Enhancements to National Nanotechnology Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3. Enhancements to National Nanotechnology Program coordination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4. Enhancement of National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5. Triennial external review of National Nanotechnology Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 6. Societal dimensions of nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7. Transfer of nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 8. Research in areas of national importance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 9. Nanomanufacturing research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 10. Nanoscale characterization and metrology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 11. GAO study of nanotechnology related codes, standards, and regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 12. Public outreach.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 13. Amendments to definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. ENHANCEMENTS TO NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

(a) Expansion of Program Scope- Section 2(a) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2), by striking the ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) sponsor nanotechnology education and workforce development programs to prepare scientists, engineers, and technicians to work in nanotechnology;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) support the development of standard reference materials and instrumentation, metrology, and computational tools necessary to measure, characterize, and predict the properties of nanoscale materials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) participate in national and international organizations developing trade, commercialization, and regulatory guidelines, plans, and standards for the safe use of nanotechnology;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) establish and sustain the infrastructure, tools, and instruments to provide cost effective state-of-the-art measurement, characterization, manipulation, and simulations capabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) utilize the perspectives of the industrial community to promote the rapid commercial development of nanoscale-enabled devices, systems, and technologies.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Addition of Program Activities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 2(b) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (11) as paragraphs (4) through (12), respectively; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) issuing guidance each year to the agencies participating in the Program that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) prioritizes the Program’s research initiatives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) documents the benefit of the research to the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) describes a clear strategy for transitioning the research into commercial products and technologies;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- (A) Section 2(c) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘stated in subsection (b)(7)’ and inserting ‘stated in subsection (b)(9)’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) in paragraph (10), by striking ‘pursuant to subsection (b)(10)(D)’ and inserting ‘pursuant to subsection (b)(12)(D)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Section 2(d) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(d)) is amended in paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking ‘pursuant to subsection (b)(10)’ each place it occurs and inserting ‘pursuant to subsection (b)(12)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Section 7(a)(1) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7506(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘under section 2(b)(7)’ and inserting ‘under section 2(b)(9)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Enhancement of Program Management-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) TRIENNIAL STRATEGIC PLAN- Section 2(c) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) develop, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008, and update every 3 years thereafter, a strategic plan to guide the Program activities described under subsection (b) that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) specifies--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) near-term and long-term objectives for the Program;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the anticipated time frame for achieving the near-term objectives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the metrics to be used for assessing progress toward the objectives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) describes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) how the Program will move results out of the laboratory and into applications for the benefit of society, including through cooperation and collaboration with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) how the Program will encourage and support interdisciplinary research and development in nanotechnology; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) proposed research in areas of national importance in accordance with the requirements of section 12;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) JOINT INTERAGENCY SOLICITATIONS- Such section 2(c) is further amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph (11);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(10) encourage joint interagency solicitation of grant applications in high-priority multi-disciplinary research areas, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) instrumentation and metrology equipment to detect, measure, and characterize nanomaterials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) chemical, biological, and nuclear sensor technology for defense and homeland security applications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) sustainable energy, environment, water and agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) simulation and modeling; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) manufacturing of complex systems at the nanoscale.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in paragraph (11), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking ‘through (9)’ and inserting ‘through (10)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Expansion of Annual Report of the National Science and Technology Council- Section 2(d) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501(d)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘and the previous fiscal year’ after ‘current fiscal year’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘and’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) the research plan required by section 10(b)(1) and updated under section 10(b)(5); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) a description of research and development areas supported in accordance with section 12, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the budget for such areas for the current and previous fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the budget for such areas for the next fiscal year.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Support of Standards Setting Activities- Section 2 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7501) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Standards Setting-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The agencies participating in the Program shall support the activities of the committees of standards setting bodies involved in the development of standards for nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL COSTS- The agencies participating in the Program may reimburse the travel costs of scientists and engineers who participate in the activities described in paragraph (1).’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. ENHANCEMENTS TO NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM COORDINATION.

(a) Modifications to Funding of National Nanotechnology Coordination Office- Section 3(b) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7502(b)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Funding- The operation of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall be supported by funds from each agency participating in the Program. The portion of the total budget of the Office provided by each agency for each fiscal year shall be in the same proportion as the agency’s share of the total budget for the Program for the previous fiscal year, as specified in the report required under section 2(d)(1).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Annual Report on Funding of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office- Section 3 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7502) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Annual Report- The Council shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives each year, together with documents submitted to Congress in support of the budget of the President for the fiscal year beginning in such year (as submitted pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code), a report containing the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) A description of the funding required by the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office to perform the functions specified in subsection (a) for the next fiscal year set forth by category of activity, including the funding required to carry out the requirements of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) section 2(b)(12)(D);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) subsection (d) of this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) section 5.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) A description of the funding required by such Office to perform the functions specified in subsection (a) for the current fiscal year set forth by category of activity, including the funding required to carry out the requirements of subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The amount of funding provided for such Office for the current fiscal year set forth by each agency participating in the Program.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Public Information- Such section is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Public Information-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) DATABASE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall develop and maintain a database of projects funded under any of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) The Environmental, Health, and Safety program component areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) The Education and Societal Dimensions program component areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) The Nanomanufacturing program component areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) Any successor program component areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DATABASE CONTENTS- The database required by subparagraph (A) shall include the following, with respect to each project in the database:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) A description of the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) The source of funding of the project, set forth by agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) The funding history of the project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) GROUPING OF PROJECTS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY PROGRAM COMPONENT AREA- For projects in the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area, projects shall be grouped in the database by major objective as specified in the research plan required by section 10(b)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) GROUPING OF PROJECTS IN THE EDUCATION AND SOCIETAL DIMENSIONS PROGRAM COMPONENT AREA- For projects in the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area, or any successor program component area, the projects shall be grouped in the database in the following categories:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Education in formal settings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Education in informal settings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Public outreach.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) Ethical, legal, and other societal issues.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) ACCESSIBILITY- The Director shall make the database required by subparagraph (A) accessible to the public.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) INFORMATION ON NANOTECHNOLOGY FACILITIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) shall develop, maintain, and publicize information on nanotechnology facilities supported under the Program that are accessible for use by individuals from academic institutions and from industry; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) may include information on nanotechnology facilities that are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) supported by the States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) accessible for use by individuals from academic institutions and from industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) INFORMATION TO BE PUBLICIZED- The information developed, maintained, and publicized under subparagraph (A) shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) The terms and conditions for the use of each nanotechnology facility supported under the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) A description of the capabilities of the instruments and equipment available for use at the facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) A description of the technical support available to assist users of the facility.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. ENHANCEMENT OF NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL.

(a) Establishment of Subpanel on Societal, Ethical, Legal, Environmental, and Workforce Concerns- Section 4(a) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7503(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘or designate’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting ‘as a distinct entity’ after ‘Advisory Panel’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting ‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY PANEL- ’ before ‘The President shall’ and indenting paragraph (1) as so designated 2 ems to the right; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF SUBPANEL ON SOCIETAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND WORKFORCE CONCERNS- The Advisory Panel shall establish a subpanel with membership having specific qualifications tailored to enable it to carry out the requirements of subsection (c)(7).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Representation of Minority-Serving Institutions- Section 4(b) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7503(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by designating the first, second, and third sentences as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, and indenting such paragraphs, as so designated, 2 ems to the right;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (1), as so designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘or designated’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting ‘MEMBERSHIP FROM ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRY- ’ before ‘The Advisory Panel’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in paragraph (2), as so designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by inserting ‘QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE ADVICE- ’ before ‘Members of’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in paragraph (3), as so designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘or designating’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting ‘SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS- ’ before ‘In selecting’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) REPRESENTATION OF MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS- At least one member of the Advisory Panel shall be an individual employed by and representing a minority-serving institution.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. TRIENNIAL EXTERNAL REVIEW OF NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

Section 5 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7504) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 5. TRIENNIAL EXTERNAL REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

‘(a) In General- The Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office established under section 3(a) shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a triennial review of the Program. The Director shall ensure that each triennial review is carried out and concluded in such a manner as to allow sufficient time for the reporting requirements of subsection (c) to be satisfied.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Matters Evaluated- Each triennial review conducted under subsection (a) shall include an evaluation of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The research priorities and technical content of the Program, including whether the allocation of funding among program component areas, as designated according to section 2(c)(2), is appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The effectiveness of the Program’s management and coordination across agencies and disciplines, including an assessment of the effectiveness of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The scientific and technological accomplishments of the Program and the success of the Program in transferring technology to the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) The adequacy of the activities of the Program in addressing ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal concerns, including human health concerns.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) The worldwide investment in and activities related to nanotechnology and an analysis of the relative position of the United States compared to other countries with respect to nanotechnology research and development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Triennial Reports-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than September 30, 2009, and every 3 years thereafter, the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall submit to the Advisory Panel, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report prepared by the National Research Council on the most recent triennial review carried out under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) CONTENTS- Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The findings of the National Research Council with respect to the matters described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The recommendations of the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, if any--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) on ways to improve the management and coordination processes of the Program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) for changes to the objectives, funding priorities, and technical content of the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Funding- Of the amounts provided in accordance with section 3(b), the following amounts shall be available to carry out this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) $500,000 for fiscal year 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) $500,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) $500,000 for fiscal year 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. SOCIETAL DIMENSIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY.

(a) In General- The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating section 10 as section 15;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after section 9 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 10. SOCIETAL DIMENSIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY.

‘(a) Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) DESIGNATION- The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall designate an associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy as the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DUTIES- The duties of the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology are as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Providing oversight of the coordination, planning, and budget prioritization of activities required by section 2(b)(12).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) With the assistance of appropriate senior officials of the agencies funding activities within the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area and the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area, or any successor program component areas, ensuring that the requirements of section 2(b)(12) are satisfied.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Ensuring that the research plan required under subsection (b)(1) is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) developed, updated, and implemented as required thereunder; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) responsive to the recommendations of the subpanel established under section 4(a)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Encouraging and monitoring the efforts of the agencies participating in the Program to allocate the level of resources and management attention necessary to ensure that the ethical, legal, environmental, and other appropriate societal concerns related to nanotechnology, including human health and workplace safety concerns, are addressed under the Program, including the implementation of the research plan required under subsection (b)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) Encouraging the agencies required to develop the research plan under subsection (b) to identify, assess, and implement suitable mechanisms for the establishment of public-private partnerships for support of environmental, health, and safety research.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Research Plan-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) PANEL CONVENED AND PLAN REQUIRED- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology designated under subsection (a)(1) shall convene and chair a panel to develop, periodically update, and coordinate the implementation of a research plan for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) MEMBERSHIP- The panel convened under subparagraph (A) shall be comprised of representatives from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the agencies funding research activities under the program component area described in such subparagraph; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) such other agencies as the Coordinator considers necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) SOLICITATION OF ADVICE- In developing and updating the plan required by subparagraph (A), the panel convened under such subparagraph shall solicit and be responsive to recommendations and advice from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the subpanel established under section 4(a)(2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the agencies responsible for environmental, health, and safety regulations associated with the production, use, and disposal of nanoscale materials and products.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS- The plan required by paragraph (1) shall include a description of how the Program will help to ensure the development of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Standards related to nomenclature associated with engineered nanoscale materials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Engineered nanoscale standard reference materials for environmental, health, and safety testing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Instruments required to fill major gaps in metrology capabilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Standards related to methods and procedures for detecting, measuring, monitoring, sampling, and testing engineered nanoscale materials for environmental, health, and safety impacts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) COMPONENTS OF PLAN- The plan required under paragraph (1) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) specify near-term research objectives and long-term research objectives;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) specify milestones associated with each near-term objective and the estimated time and resources required to reach each milestone;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) with respect to subparagraphs (A) and (B), describe the role of each agency carrying out or sponsoring research in order to meet the objectives specified under subparagraph (A) and to achieve the milestones specified under subparagraph (B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) specify the funding allocated to each major objective of the plan and the source of funding by agency for the current fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) estimate the funding required for each major objective of the plan and the source of funding by agency for the following 3 fiscal years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) INCORPORATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF ADVISORY PANEL- The Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology designated under subsection (a)(1) and the panel convened under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall incorporate any recommendations of the Advisory panel under subsection (g)(2) into the planning activity required under this subsection and provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives justification should the funding in the research plan not meet such recommendations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) SUBMITTAL OF INITIAL PLAN TO CONGRESS- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology designated under subsection (a)(1) shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives the initial plan required by paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) ANNUAL UPDATE OF PLAN- Each year, the panel convened under paragraph (1) shall update the plan required under such paragraph and submit the plan to the Council for inclusion in the annual report of the Council required by section 2(d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Undergraduate Education Programs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED- As part of the activities included under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area, or any successor program component area, the Program shall support efforts to introduce nanoscale science, engineering, and technology into undergraduate science and engineering education through a variety of interdisciplinary approaches. Activities supported may include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The development of courses of instruction or modules to existing courses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Faculty professional development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The acquisition of equipment and instrumentation suitable for undergraduate education and research in nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Science Foundation to carry out activities described in paragraph (1), amounts as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) COURSE, CURRICULUM, AND LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM- Through the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program of the National Science Foundation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) from amounts authorized under section 7002(b)(2)(B) of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69), $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) from amounts authorized under section 7002(c)(2)(B) of such Act, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION- Through the Advanced Technology Education program of the National Science Foundation--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) from amounts authorized under section 7002(b)(2)(B) of the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69), $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) from amounts authorized under section 7002(c)(2)(B) of such Act, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Interagency Working Group- The Council shall establish an Education Working Group under the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee of the Council to coordinate, prioritize, and plan the educational activities supported under the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Societal Dimensions in Nanotechnology Education Activities- Activities supported under the Education and Societal Dimensions program component area, or any successor program component area, that involve informal, precollege, or undergraduate nanotechnology education shall include education regarding the environmental, health and safety, and other societal aspects of nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Remote Access to Nanotechnology Facilities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities as part of the Program shall require the entities that operate such facilities to allow access via the Internet by secondary school students and teachers to instruments and equipment within such facilities for educational purposes and to informal science educators for science enrichment opportunities and public education purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) SUPPORT- The agencies described in paragraph (1) shall support the costs associated with the provision of such access to facilities described in such paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) WAIVER- The agencies described in paragraph (1) may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) in cases when--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) use of particular facilities would be inappropriate for educational purposes; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the costs for providing the access to facilities as described in paragraph (1) would be prohibitive.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) ESTABLISHMENT AND PUBLICATION OF PROCEDURES, GUIDELINES, AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF FACILITIES- The agencies identified in paragraph (1) shall require the entities that operate nanotechnology research facilities that are supported by such agencies as part of the Program to establish and publish procedures, guidelines, and conditions for the submission and approval of applications for the use of such facilities for the purpose identified in paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) TECHNICAL SUPPORT- The agencies identified in paragraph (1) shall authorize personnel who operate the facilities described in such paragraph to provide necessary technical support to students and teachers who use such facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Advisory Panel Review of Environmental, Health, and Safety Program Component Area-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Advisory Panel shall periodically review the funding level of the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area, relative to the overall budget of the Program to determine whether the amount dedicated to this area is sufficient to address the research funding needs as estimated in the research plan required by subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) RECOMMENDATIONS- If the Advisory Panel determines under paragraph (1) that the amount described in such paragraph is insufficient or excessive, the Advisory Panel shall submit to the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology a recommendation for an appropriate level of funding for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in section 4(d), by adding at the end the following: ‘Such report shall include the findings of the Advisory Panel with respect to the most recent review required by section 10(g)(1) and any recommendations of the Advisory Panel under section 10(g)(2).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Nanotechnology Education Partnerships- Section 9 of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Nanotechnology Education Partnerships-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- As part of the program authorized by subsection (a), the Director shall provide 1 or more grants under such subsection to establish partnerships described in paragraph (2) of such subsection, except that each such partnership shall include 1 or more businesses engaged in the production of nanoscale materials, products, or devices.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DESIGNATION- A partnership established in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall be designated as a ‘Nanotechnology Education Partnership’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PURPOSE- The purpose of a Nanotechnology Education Partnership is to recruit and help prepare secondary school students to pursue postsecondary level courses of instruction in nanotechnology and assist secondary institution and informal learning centers with outreach programs directed at secondary students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- Notwithstanding subsection (a)(3), each entity receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant for the purposes described in paragraph (2), including to support the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Professional development activities to enable secondary school teachers to use curricular materials incorporating nanotechnology and to inform teachers about career possibilities for students in nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Enrichment programs for students, including access to nanotechnology facilities and equipment at partner institutions, to increase their understanding of nanoscale science and technology and to inform them about career possibilities in nanotechnology as scientists, engineers, and technicians.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Identification of appropriate nanotechnology educational materials and incorporation of nanotechnology into the curriculum for secondary school students at one or more organizations participating in a Nanotechnology Education Partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS- Grants under this subsection shall be awarded in accordance with subsection (b), except that paragraph (3)(B) of such subsection shall not apply to grants awarded under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) NANOTECHNOLOGY DEFINED- In this subsection, the term ‘nanotechnology’ has the meaning given the term in section 15 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. TRANSFER OF NANOTECHNOLOGY.

(a) In General- The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10, as added by section 6(a)(2) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 11. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

‘(a) Prototyping-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ACCESS TO FACILITIES- In accordance with section 2(b)(9), the agencies supporting nanotechnology research facilities as part of the Program shall provide access to such facilities to companies for the purpose of assisting the companies in the development of prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes (or products, devices, or processes enabled by nanotechnology) for determining proof of concept.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PUBLICATION OF AVAILABILITY- The agencies described in paragraph (1) shall publicize the availability of the facilities described in such paragraph and encourage their use by companies as provided for in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) PROCEDURES- The agencies described in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) shall establish and publish procedures, guidelines, and conditions for the submission and approval of applications for use of nanotechnology facilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) shall publish descriptions of the capabilities of facilities available for use under this subsection, including the availability of technical support; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) may waive recovery, require full recovery, or require partial recovery of the costs associated with use of the facilities for projects under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) SELECTION AND CRITERIA- In cases when less than full cost recovery is required pursuant to paragraph (3)(C), projects provided access to nanotechnology facilities in accordance with this subsection shall be selected through a competitive, merit-based process, and the criteria for the selection of such projects shall include the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The readiness of the project for technology demonstration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Evidence of a commitment by the applicant for further development of the project to full commercialization if the proof of concept is established by the prototype.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Evidence of the potential for further funding from private sector sources following the successful demonstration of proof of concept.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR PROJECTS RELEVANT TO IMPORTANT NATIONAL NEEDS- In selecting projects under paragraph (4), the agencies described in paragraph (1) may give special consideration to applications that are relevant to important national needs or requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Use of Existing Technology Transfer Programs- Each agency participating in the Program shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) if the agency administers a Small Business Innovation Research Program or a Small Business Technology Transfer Program, encourage the submission of applications for support of nanotechnology related projects to such programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) through the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office established under section 3(a) and not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the plan described in section 2(c)(7); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) a report specifying, if the agency administers a Small Business Innovation Research Program and a Small Business Technology Transfer Program--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the number of proposals received for nanotechnology related projects during the current fiscal year and the previous 2 fiscal years;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the number of such proposals funded in each year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the total number of nanotechnology related projects funded and the amount of funding provided for fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2007; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) a description of the projects identified in accordance with clause (iii) which received private sector funding beyond the period of phase II support of the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Industry Liaison Groups- An objective of the Program shall be to establish industry liaison groups for all industry sectors that would benefit from applications of nanotechnology. The Nanomanufacturing, Industry Liaison, and Innovation Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council shall actively pursue establishing such liaison groups.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Technology Innovation Program Support for Nanotechnology- Section 28 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278n) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (d)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘The Director’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Director’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) SOLICITATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY PROPOSALS- The Director shall encourage the submission of proposals under paragraph (1) for support of nanotechnology related projects.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (g)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘The Director’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Director’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) NANOTECHNOLOGY REPORT REQUIREMENTS- The report required by paragraph (1) shall include a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) how the requirement of subsection (d)(2) is being met;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the number of proposals for nanotechnology related projects received;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the number of such proposals funded;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the total number of such projects funded since the beginning of the Technology Innovation Program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the outcomes of such funded projects in terms of the metrics described in paragraph (1).’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (k)(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) advice on how to accomplish the requirement of subsection (d)(2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) an assessment of the adequacy of the allocation of resources for nanotechnology related projects supported under the Technology Innovation Program.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (l)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking the ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) the term ‘nanotechnology’ has the meaning given the term in section 15 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Coordination With State Initiatives- Section 2(b)(7) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, as redesignated by section 2(b)(1)(A) of this Act, is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) ensuring United States global leadership in the development and application of nanotechnology, including through coordination and leveraging Federal investments with nanotechnology research, development, and technology transition initiatives supported by the States;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 11, as added by section 7(a) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 12. RESEARCH IN AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

‘(a) In General- The Program shall include support for nanotechnology research and development activities directed toward application areas that have the potential for significant contributions to national economic competitiveness and for other significant societal benefits. The activities supported shall be designed to advance the development of research discoveries by demonstrating technical solutions to important problems in areas such as the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) Nano-electronics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Energy production, storage, and efficiency, including renewable energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Health care.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Water remediation and purification.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) Instrumentation for nanoscale characterization and metrology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) Rapid production nanomanufacturing for information and intelligence, including cost-effective, green, and safe nanomaterial manufacturing methods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) Precision agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) Sensors and sensor networks for defense and homeland security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Recommendations- The Advisory Panel shall make recommendations to the Program for candidate research and development areas for support under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Characteristics-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- Research and development activities under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) include projects selected on the basis of applications for support through a competitive, merit-based process;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) involve collaborations among researchers in academic institutions and industry, and may involve nonprofit research institutions and Federal and National laboratories, as appropriate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) when possible, leverage Federal investments through collaboration with related State initiatives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) include a plan for fostering the transfer of research discoveries and the results of technology demonstration activities to industry for commercial development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PROCEDURES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Determination of the requirements for applications under this subsection, review and selection of applications for support, and subsequent funding of projects shall be carried out by a collaboration of no fewer than 2 agencies participating in the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION- In selecting applications for support, the agencies shall give special consideration to projects that include cost sharing from non-Federal sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTERS- Research and development activities under this section may be supported through interdisciplinary nanotechnology research centers, as authorized by section 2(b)(6), that are organized to investigate basic research questions and carry out technology demonstration activities in areas such as those identified under subsection (b).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. NANOMANUFACTURING RESEARCH.

(a) In General- The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12, as added by section 8 of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 13. NANOMANUFACTURING RESEARCH.

‘(a) Research Areas- The Nanomanufacturing component area of the Program, or any successor component area, shall include research on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) Development of instrumentation and tools required for the rapid characterization of nanoscale materials and for monitoring of nanoscale manufacturing processes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Approaches and techniques for scaling the synthesis of new nanoscale materials to achieve industrial-level production rates.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Improvements in atomically precise measurement, monitoring, manipulating, and manufacturing.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Development of nanotechnology production methods and tools for aerospace information and intelligence applications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Green Nanotechnology- Interdisciplinary research centers supported under the Program in accordance with section 2(b)(6) that are focused on nanomanufacturing research and centers established under the authority of section 12(c)(3) shall include, as part of the activities of such centers, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) Research on methods and approaches to develop environmentally benign nanoscale products and nanoscale manufacturing processes, taking into consideration relevant findings and results of research supported under the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Fostering the transfer of the results of such research to industry, including through industry-led collaborative translational research, with priority consideration given to proposals that provide non-Federal funds in an amount not less than 25 percent of the total amount of any funding to be awarded under the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) Providing for the education of scientists and engineers through interdisciplinary studies in the principles and techniques for the design and development of environmentally benign nanoscale products and processes.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Review of Nanomanufacturing Research and Research Facilities-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection, the terms ‘nanotechnology’, ‘nanoscale’, ‘program component area’, ‘Program’, and ‘Advisory Panel’ have the meaning given such terms in section 15 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, as redesignated by section 6(a)(1) and amended by section 13 of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PUBLIC MEETING-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office established under section 3(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 7502(a)) shall sponsor a public meeting, including representation from a wide range of industries engaged in nanoscale manufacturing--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to obtain the views of participants at the meeting on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the relevance and value of the research being carried out under the Nanomanufacturing program component area, or any successor program component area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) whether the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program are adequate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) to meet current and near-term requirements for the fabrication and characterization of nanoscale devices and systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) to provide access to and use of instrumentation and equipment at the facilities, by means of networking technology, to individuals who are at locations remote from the facilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(ii) to receive any recommendations on ways to strengthen the research portfolio supported under the Nanomanufacturing program component area, or any successor program component area, and on improving the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) INVITATIONS TO PUBLIC MEETING- The Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall invite companies that are participating in industry liaison groups to participate in the meeting required by subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) REPORT ON PUBLIC MEETING- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office shall prepare and submit to the Advisory Panel a report documenting the findings and recommendations of the Director with respect to the meeting required by subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ADVISORY PANEL REVIEW-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Panel shall review the Nanomanufacturing program component area, or any successor program component area, and the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program to assess the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Whether the funding for the Nanomanufacturing program component area, or any successor program component area, is adequate and receiving appropriate priority within the overall resources available for the Program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) The relevance of the research being supported to the identified needs and requirements of industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) Whether the capabilities of nanotechnology research facilities supported under the Program are adequate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) to meet current and near-term requirements for the fabrication and characterization of nanoscale devices and systems; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) to provide access to and use of instrumentation and equipment at the facilities, by means of networking technology, to individuals who are at locations remote from the facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) The level of funding that would be needed to support--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the acquisition of instrumentation, equipment, and networking technology sufficient to provide the capabilities at nanotechnology research facilities described in subparagraph (C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) the operation and maintenance of such facilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) INCORPORATION OF FINDINGS FROM PUBLIC MEETING- In carrying out the review required by subparagraph (A), the Advisory Panel shall take into consideration the findings and recommendations in the report submitted by the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office under paragraph (2)(C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) REPORT ON ADVISORY PANEL REVIEW- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Advisory Panel shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the review required by subparagraph (A), including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) The recommendations, if any, of the Advisory Panel with respect to the Nanomanufacturing program component area.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) The report required by paragraph (2)(C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 10. NANOSCALE CHARACTERIZATION AND METROLOGY.

The 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 13, as added by section 9(a) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 14. NANOSCALE CHARACTERIZATION AND METROLOGY.

‘(a) Research Areas- The Instrument Research, Metrology, and Standards program component area, or any successor program component area, shall include research on translational development of instrumentation, tools, approaches, and techniques required for the characterization of nanoscale materials and for nanoscale metrology, including improvements in speed, accuracy, and scalability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Environmental, Health, and Safety Effects- Interdisciplinary research centers supported under the Program in accordance with section 2(b)(6) that are focused on nanoscale characterization and metrology in accordance with section 12(c)(3) shall include as part of the activities of such centers--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) research on methods and approaches to develop characterization and metrology capabilities relevant to the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, or any successor program component area; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) fostering the transfer of the results of such research to industry, including through industry-led collaborative translational research.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 11. GAO STUDY OF NANOTECHNOLOGY RELATED CODES, STANDARDS, AND REGULATIONS.

(a) In General- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of Federal codes, standards, and regulations as they pertain to the safe production, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials and products that embody engineered nanomaterials.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matters Covered- In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review the current status of federal codes, standards, and regulations of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Environmental Protection Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Food and Drug Administration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Department of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Consumer Product Safety Commission;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) any other Federal agency with regulatory authority over the production, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials and products that embody engineered nanomaterials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) evaluate international efforts to develop codes, standards, and regulations regarding the production, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials and products that incorporate engineered nanomaterials;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) identify gaps in the ability of Federal agencies to enforce appropriate cost-effective safety procedures for nanomaterials using the current codes, standards, and regulations of such agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) develop recommendations with respect to changes to such codes, standards, and regulations to remedy such gaps.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives, and other appropriate committees of Congress, a report on the study required by subsection (a), including a description of the matters covered under subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 12. PUBLIC OUTREACH.

(a) National Discussion Convened- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, established under section 3(a) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7502(a)), shall convene a national discussion to engage the people of the United States and increase their awareness of nanotechnology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Form- The Director shall convene the national discussion required by subsection (a) through not less than 2 large-scale deliberative forums.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Participation- In the national discussion required by subsection (a), the Director shall ensure that the population of participants is diverse in--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) age;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) geography;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) income; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Incorporation of Views- In the national discussion required by subsection (a), the Director shall incorporate the views and positions of key stakeholder groups, including representatives of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) academia;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) nongovernmental organizations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) industry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Identification of Priorities and Concerns- In the national discussion required by subsection (a), the Director shall identify the collective priorities and concerns of the general public and stakeholder groups that relate to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) nanotechnology products;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) research and development; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) regulatory policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Report- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives a report summarizing the national discussion required by subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office $2,000,000 to carry out the national discussion required by subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT- The amount authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) for the purpose described in that paragraph is in addition to amounts provided in support of the operation of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office under section 3(b) of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7502(b)), as amended by section 2(b)(1) of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 13. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITIONS.

Section 15 of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, as redesignated by section 6(a)(1) of this Act, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels’ and inserting ‘nanoscale’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘molecular organization, properties, and’ and inserting ‘properties or’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) NANOSCALE- The term ‘nanoscale’ means one or more dimensions of between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink