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Nanotechnology: Real Revenues Today and Impacts on the U.S. Economy

The Center's Foresight and Governance Project seminar "Nanotechnology: Real Revenues Today and Impacts on the U.S. Economy” featured four leading nanotechnology firms with current products on the market – Nano-tex, Hyperion Catalysis, Inmat, and Optiva - and a renowned panel with Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, Phil Bond, Undersecretary of Technology at Commerce, and Mark Modzelewski of the NanoBusiness Alliance. Video of Seminar (RealPlayer)

Date & Time

Tuesday
Mar. 11, 2003
10:45am – 3:00pm ET

Overview

Washington, D.C. – On March 11 the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars held a seminar "Nanotechnology: Real Revenues Today and Impacts on the U.S. Economy” that examined new commercial applications for nanotechnologies and the position of the United States in the global nanotech race. Video of the seminar is available by clicking on the link below.

Image removed.Video of Seminar (RealPlayer)

This seminar was organized jointly by the Center’s Foresight and Governance Project and the NanoScience Exchange, a nanotech think-tank based in San Francisco that facilitates better communications between leading scientists, government officials, corporations, and investors.

High level representatives of four leading nanotechnology firms – Nano-tex, Hyperion Catalysis, Inmat, and Optiva, – described their products and provided assessments of the emerging domestic and global markets for commercial nanotechnologies.

Harris Goldberg of Inmat, which produces nano-composite sealants that double the life of Wilson tennis balls, noted that, “There tends to be a perception on the part of the public and many policymakers that nanotechnology is something in the far future. Our company, and others, prove that the technology and the associated business opportunities are here today.”

The industry representatives were followed by a second panel, which included Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. "Investing in nanotechnology is a solid planning strategy for this nation's economic future,” said Wyden. "The possibilities for nanotech are limitless, and I want to make sure the Federal government partners with the private sector to keep America at the forefront of this new field."

Joining Wyden was Phil Bond, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology at the Department of Commerce. Bond stressed that “U.S. government policies will play an important role in how fast this sector develops and the nature of the social and economic benefits. It is important to understand that the U.S. is not alone in the global nanotech race.”

Panel member Mark Modzelewski of the NanoBusiness Alliance, the leading association founded to advance the business of nanotechnology, noted that, "Few people realize that nanotechnology is rapidly becoming nanobusiness. This once obscure science is about to be a trillion dollar piece of the global economy and the transition in our educational institutions, our government and our businesses needs to begin today.”

"Nanotechology-based products on the market today enable lawmakers to see the brave new molecular business world we are entering. The risks and the opportunities we face are daunting," added Lee H. Hamilton, president and director of the Wilson Center.

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Science and Technology Innovation Program

The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) serves as the bridge between technologists, policymakers, industry, and global stakeholders.  Read more

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