| | “[Nanotechnology] is like biotech on steroids.” - The Wall Street Journal, Friday, June 18, 2004. |
“International leadership in nanotechnology is up for grabs” -- The Nanotech Report (2003) |
| |  In The News:
Highlighted State Initiatives in Science & Technology | GA | The State of Georgia is investing $81 million in nanotechnology | | TX | SEMATECH promotes nanotechnology infrastructure | | NY | State provides nearly $1MM to colleges to spur technology-based applied research and economic development. | | MA | From laboratory to market: the UMass-based Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center. | | MA | Nantotechnology in Massachusetts, a report by the Nano Science and Technology Institute, says that "Massachusetts is experiencing a surge in nanoscale technology R&D and economic development." | | DE | Governor's $30.5M New Economy Initiative Funded | | IA | Iowa Charts 10-year, $302M Biosciences Plan | | PA | 'Keystone Innovation zone' to be created in Penn State I-99 Corridor | | WI | Department of Commerce offers up to $1 million annually to aid tech entrepreneurs | | VA | CIT receives full funding, despite other budget cuts |
Capital & Capital Formation | IL | Illinois Commits $50 Million for VC Fund | | OH | Ohio Workers' Comp to Invest $30.5 Million in VC |
National & International Nanotech Initiatives & Reports | Nanotechnology spending to hit $8.6bn internationally... |
Commentary: Science, Technology, and Economic Prosperity
Over the coming decades, North Carolina can produce more new jobs for its citizens from the effective use of Science and Technology economic development policy than from any other source... Great Myths of the Great Depression 
There has been a modern economic war raging between states in the U.S. for about seven decades now. The war has been fought over "jobs." States and cities have attempted to develop policy tools primarily to fight each other for economic bragging rights... University is now key to a state's economy
The traditional if quaint vision of the American university was an ivy-covered refuge in which scholars could purse their academic inquiries to broaden the world's store of knowledge...To that full plate has now been added one more task: Bail out the state's economy...
The Nanotech Future (Graphic & text courtesy of the BBC) Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) for displays Photovoltaic film that converts light into electricity Scratch-proof coated windows that clean themselves with UV Fabrics coated to resist stains and control temperature Intelligent clothing measures pulse and respiration Bucky-tubeframe is light but very strong Hipjoint made from biocompatible materials Nano-particle paint to prevent corrosion Thermo-chromic glass to regulate light Magnetic layers for compact data memory Carbon nanotube fuel cells to power electronics and vehicles Nano-engineered cochlear implant
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| State Initiatives in Science & TechnologyGeorgia: $81MM Nanotech Center
Now the state of Georgia, together with Georgia Tech University is investing $81 million to go toward the construction and operation of a world-class nanotechnology research center...
Read the full story New York: Comprehensive initiative to spur technology-based applied research and economic development across the state
The grants are from the NYS Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research's College Applied Research and Technology Center initiative. The grants will be used to encourage applied research collaboration and innovation with industry, promote workforce development, and better leverage State funds with investments from the federal government, industry, foundations, and not-for-profit economic development organizations.
Read the full story Massachusetts: From laboratory to market: the UMass-based Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center.
The recently created MTTC is a key component of a statewide science and technology initiative to strengthen the commonwealth’s competitive position in national and global innovation markets. The new center is part of the UMass Office of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property, which currently generates more than $25 million in licensing revenue from inventions developed at the UMass campuses, including the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River...
Read the full story Massachusetts: New Report on Nanotechnology R&D and Economic Development
The report says that with high tech job creation and billions of dollars in research & development investments at stake, Massachusetts is well positioned to capture the economic benefits offered by new applications employing nanotechnology.....
Access the Report Delaware: Governor's $30.5M New Economy Initiative Funded
The DE state legislature passed a capital budget on July 1 that included all of the key components of the governor's New Economy Initiative. Gov. Minner signed the legislation later that same day.
The $30.5 million initiative consists of several different elements to complement and expand the state's existing tech-based economic development portfolio. New appropriations and programs include:
- $12.5 million for the Delaware Competitiveness Fund to induce Delaware manufacturers to make capital investments to preserve and expand productivity, competitiveness, and jobs at existing Delaware plant sites facing decline from national and global competition;
- $3 million for a Venture Capital Investment Fund, which will make equity investments in up to three VC funds with portfolios that include Delaware business opportunities;
- $1.5 million for a Technology-based Seed Fund to foster high-wage, fast-growing small businesses in technology fields such as biotechnology, advanced materials, clean energy, information technology and new chemical applications;
- $1.5 million for the state's matching contribution toward a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research;
- $1 million for establishment of an Emerging Technology Center to identify and cultivate entrepreneurs whose existing business concepts capitalize on emerging technologies, and link them to an existing network of business expertise, services and investors;
Read the legislation IA: Iowa Charts 10-year, $302M Biosciences Plan
Iowa calls for a 10-year, $302 million investment in the biosciences - to grow the industry and to create new job opportunities for the state...
Read the full story Read the full plan PA: 'Keystone Innovation zone' to be created in Penn State I-99 Corridor
The project, stemming from a state economic-stimulus package designed to reduce brain drain, would establish a Keystone Innovation Zone along the entire Interstate 99 corridor in the three counties and could lead to $80 million worth of new facilities at Penn State and $20 million in industrial parks outside the university...
Read the full story WI: Department of Commerce offers up to $1 million annually to aid tech entrepreneurs
The state Department of Commerce is asking for proposals to create an entrepreneurial and technology transfer center that would help entrepreneurs develop and sell technology products. Non-profit and for-profit companies are welcome to propose plans for the center, which Gov. Jim Doyle authorized this April. The department will give the center up to $1 million annually...
Read the full story VA: CIT president fends off Va. budget busters
The president of Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology successfully fended off state lawmakers' proposed cuts to CIT's funding this fiscal year, holding on to the quasi-public group's $7.65 million in state money...
Read the full story
|  | Capital & Capital FormationIL: Illinois Commits $50 Million for VC Fund
Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka kicked off a long-awaited program to invest $50 million of state money in venture capital funds, promising the effort will create jobs while providing a good return....
Read the full story OH: Ohio Workers' Comp to Invest $30.5 Million in VC
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) will invest $30.5 million in seven venture capital firms, which the state hopes will successfully identify new and existing companies in Ohio...
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| | | Nanotechnology For the North Carolina Perspective, please see the NC Board of Science and Technology's Issue Brief: "Nanotechnology: The Need for a State Initiative." More on the National Nanotechnology Initiative can be found at: http://www.nano.gov/ Semiconductor Industry Assoc Calls for US to Accelerate Nanoelectronics Research
The price for not starting now on a massive, coordinated research and development effort in nanoelectronics could be nothing less than a loss, in just two decades, of U.S. economic and defense leadership...
Read the full story The Nanotechnology Industry, an estimated $961 million for FY 2004
The year 2003 also saw some $304 million in venture capital funding for nanotechnology, a 42% increase over 2002....
Read the full story The American National Standards Institute Forms Nanotechnology Standards Panel
The American National Standards Institute announced the formation of the Nanotechnology Standards Panel (ANSI-NSP), a new coordinating body for the development of standards in the area of nanotechnology...
Read the full story By 2011, the market for nano-engineered information storage devices will be worth $65.7 billion...
Read the full story Nanotechnology About to Change Many Industries.
Material-related nanotech is particularly imminent...
Read the full story NANOTECH INDUSTRY APPROACHES MASSIVE GROWTH PHASE.
As we approach the fall of 2004, let’s stop for a moment to assess the health and momentum of the nanotech industry and its state of maturity. As an emerging business arena, nanotechnology seems very healthy...
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International Nanotechnology InitiativesNanotechnology spending to hit $8.6bn.
Governments, corporations and venture capitalists will spend more than $8.6 billion worldwide on nanotechnology research and development in 2004. According to Lux Research, the U.S. government alone will spend nearly twice as much on nanotechnology this year as it did on the Human Genome Project (HGP) in its peak year. National and local governments across the world will invest more than $4.6 billion in nanotechnology R&D in 2004...
Read the full story Download the 2004 Nanotech Report Key Findings Ireland
In a new report the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (ICSTI) recommends that Ireland develop itself as an international hub for nanotechnology...
Read the full story Singapore
In a bid to take a front running position in nanotechnolgy, Singapore has launched a Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative...
Read the full story EU consults on its European nanotechnology strategy.
The European Commission is launching a wide consultation on its approach moving towards a European Strategy for Nanotechnology. It has proposed an integrated and responsible approach for developing nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Europe...
Read the full story Israel
The government and the country's universities plan to invest $11.3 million in nanotechnology research in 2004-05...
Read the full story
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Commentary: Science & Technology and Economic ProsperityImpact Science and technology-based innovation fuels a knowledge-based economy; it creates new industries, makes existing ones globally competitive, and drives future economic growth. Over the coming decades, North Carolina can produce more new jobs for its citizens from the effective use of Science and Technology economic development policy than from any other source. North Carolina is internationally recognized for a number of the visionary investments it has made in the past in support of its high-technology future. Increasingly, however, other states and nations are aggressively challenging North Carolina’s science & technology leadership; continued directed action by the state is required to maintain its vanguard position in the innovation economy and produce the skilled workforce and jobs it must to remain competitive globally. How we match-up The recent findings of four highly regarded, national-level studies underscore this and paint a clear picture of North Carolina’s science & technology resources, investments, and performance. Each of these analyses independently details North Carolina’s strengths and weaknesses in the areas of science, technology and university outreach. The 2004 State Technology & Science Index, published by the Milken Institute, ranks North Carolina in the second tier of U.S. States. Based upon seventy-five science and technology indictors, North Carolina ranks twentieth overall, a three-point drop from its rank in the 2002 index. A similar pattern appears in the 2004 Science and Engineering Indicators report, published by the National Science Board of the Division of Science Resources Statistics of the National Science Foundation. The report presents state-by-state rankings across twenty-four science and technology indicators. Among the report’s twenty-four indicators, North Carolina ranks in the first quartile on two, in the second or third quartile on twenty-one, and in the fourth quartile on one indicator. In the 2004 State Science and Technology Indicators report, published by the Office of Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President, North Carolina’s performance ranks above the U.S. average on only seven of the report’s thirty-eight science and technology indicators. Tracking Innovation 2003, published by the North Carolina Board of Science and Technology, assesses North Carolina’s performance on fifty-six measures. The report finds that, relative to the U.S. as a whole, North Carolina ranks above average on about half of the measures presented. Overall, among the seven comparison states featured in the study, North Carolina ranks sixth.
Each of these analyses reaches similar conclusions. North Carolina’s technology-intensity, as measured in terms of gross state product, number of new firms, and number of fast-growing, high-technology industries, etc., has grown rapidly since 1990, but only in select regions. Because it is not distributed uniformly throughout the state, this growth is ultimately failing to translate into a rising standard of living for all of the state’s residents. Technology growth companies continue to cluster in population centers such as the Research Triangle, Charlotte, and the Piedmont Triad, and with them cluster the high-wage, technology-intensive jobs that they produce. North Carolina is not producing patents, invention disclosures, and sources of early-stage investment capital at rates sufficient to support the statewide growth of its technology economy.
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Continued directed action by the state is required to maintain its vanguard position in the innovation economy and produce the skilled workforce and jobs it must to remain competitive globally... Read the full story