nanoREV.

Government prize for nanotechnology innovations

Recently congressmen Dan Lipinski and Todd Akin introduced H.R. 6661 to establish an award program for innovations in nanotechnology. While government investment in nanotechnology is nothing new in the form of grants, this type of award seems more result-oriented as opposed to an investment in basic research and is similar to Senator John McCain’s call for an award for a leapfrog improvement in battery technology. According to the bill the areas of focus include nanotechnology applications involving:

(1) Improvement of the environment, consistent with the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) Development of alternative energy that has the potential to lessen the dependence of the United States on fossil fuels.

(3) Improvement of human health, consistent with regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(4) Development of consumer products.

(5) Advancement in the field of nanoelectronics.