A major aim of the National
Nanotechnology Initiative is to maximize the return on the Federal
government's investment in nanoscale R&D. Therefore, communicating
with the business community on current research activities, partnership
opportunities and available resources is a high priority.
To facilitate R&D, government infrastructure is available to
researchers through the National
Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network and the DOE
User Facilities, the Naval Research Laboratory's Institute
of Nanoscience, and through the
Domestic Guest Research Program at National Institute of Standards
and Technology.
In addition to the NNUN and user facilities mentioned above, many,
if not most, universities are willing to work with businesses in
research collaborations. Most have technology transfer offices that
can be contacted directly for information on possible collaborations.
The Federal government also offers special Funding
Opportunities for industry, universities and other research
institutions.
At least
10 percent of all new products result from business collaboration
with university partners. Research also has shown that small businesses
that are affiliated with academic institutions are far more successful
and stable than those that are not.
Universities benefit when their researchers bring in sources of
on-going funding, as well as employment opportunities for graduating
students.
State
and Regional Initiatives
State and regional economic development initiatives for nanotechnology
now operate in a dozen or so states, and several others are getting
started. To find out what kind of support is available locally for
commercial development, contact the Initiative office closest to
you. State and local economic development offices also can assist
R&D efforts.
Albany
(NY) Nanotech Alliance
ATOMWORKS
(IL)
California NanoSystems
Institute
Greater
Washington (D.C.) Nanotech Alliance
Initiative for Nanotechnology in Virginia
Los
Angeles Regional Tech Alliance
Technology
Development Corporation (Maryland)
Massachusetts
Technology Collaborative
Michigan
Small Tech Association
Organization for Minnesota
Nanotechnology Initiatives
NanoBusiness
Alliance (All states)
NanoSig
(No. Calif.)
Nanotechnology Institute/Ben Franklin Partnership (PA)
New
Jersey Nanotech Consortium
Northern
California Nanotechnology Initiative
Northern
Virginia Technology Council
State
Science & Technology Institute (All states)
Texas
Nanotechnology Initiative
See
also:
Technology Transfer Opportunities
at DOE government labs.
Training
and Extension Seminars and Lectures - Educational Connections with
Industry and National Labs. an offering of California NanoSystems
Institute, UCLA and UCSB.
The Small
Business Evaluation and Entrepreneurs (SBEE) Program, is offered
by the Kellogg School of Management, in conjunction with the Institute
for Nanotechnology, NSF-Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
at Northwestern University. The program provides a place where “scientists
can propose ideas for starting businesses to a team of Kellogg students,
who provide research and write business plans for presentation to
investors from the Chicago investment community. This program educates
scientists about the intricacies of small businesses, and introduces
business students to high-tech developments in nanotechnology.”
Internet Resources
Numerous Internet resources offer information that
could be of use to businesses working in or interested in nanotechnology.
See Links.
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