U.S. Falling Behind in Nanotech Investment
© Vince Alongi
A recent report by the U.S. Council of Advisors on Science and Technology found that the U.S. is no longer leading the world in nanotechnology investment.
"The reports says that between 2003 and 2008, U.S. public and private investments in nanotechnology grew by 18 percent a year compared with 27 percent a year throughout the world," writes ITBusinessEdge's Susan Hall.
"The group found that in 2005, the European Union outspent U.S. government investments in nanotechnology research and development," writes CIOL's Julie Steenhuysen.
"Corporate investments in nanotech research and development are larger than even the substantial federal investments – $5.7 billion in 2008," writes TechNewsWorld's Kimberly Hill. "Still, other countries, such as China, Japan and South Korea, are increasing their public and private investments at a faster rate."
"The council made recommendations that would help bring the US back to the forefront of the nanotech industry," according to redOrbit. "Those recommendations include: increased overall funding to coordinate research and development in nanotechnology, more focus on commercialization of nanotech products, and incentives put in place for foreign scientists and engineers who study in the United States to stay once they complete their training."
"If the U.S. loses its lead in nanotechnology, it could be more than a tiny problem," notes DailyTech's Jason Mick. "It would mean that vital business dollars would go overseas and U.S. manufacturers would be forced to license and dependent on foreign nanomaterials and process suppliers."