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:: Press Releases ::(July 15, 2008) Subcommittee Examines Role of NGOs and Universities in International Science and Technology Cooperation (June 26, 2008) Subcommittees Examine State of Hurricane Research, Possible Improvements :: Correspondences ::Letters To: (January 25, 2006) Letter to President from Rep. Gordon Recommending Implementation of Augustine Recommendations on American Competitiveness (December 8, 2005) Letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Concerning Lack of Social and Behavioral Aspects in Pandemic Preparedness Plan :: Speeches ::(November 20, 2006) Remarks by Rep. Dan Lipinski before the National Science Board Commission on 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (June 21, 2006) Remarks by the Hon. Bart Gordon for the Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences' Government - University - Industry Research Roundtable :: Legislation ::(May 7, 2008) National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act (April 17, 2007) The National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2007 :: Multimedia ::(March 13, 2007) Chairman Gordon Speaks With Business and Higher Education Leaders on U.S. Innovation, Competitiveness :: Op-Eds ::(April 21, 2006) Look Beyond Bush's Rhetoric on Tech to Find Dismal Record [Honda] :: Investigations ::(December 14, 2005) Pandemic Preparations and Avian Flu (April 28, 2005) Integrity and Science :: Events ::(December 19, 2005) Nanotechnology and the Future of California [Mr. Honda] (December 14, 2005) Gaps in the National Flu Preparedness Plan: Social Science Planning and Response [Mr. Gordon, Mr. Baird] :: Requested Reports ::(February 25, 2005) [GAO] FEDERAL RESEARCH: NIH and EPA Need to Improve Conflict of Interest Reviews for Research Arrangements with Private Sector Entities (April 16, 2004) [GAO] FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES: Additional Guidance Could Help Agencies Better Ensure Independence and Balance
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Research and Science Education News
Subcommittee Explores Efforts to
Commercialize Nanotechnology Products
Chairman Baird discussed the benefits nanotechnology provides society during the subcommittee hearing.
Members of the Subcommitteeexamined how the National Nanotechnology Initiative’s (NNI) research is being used to produce commercial goods at a hearing on March 11. This hearing was third in a series, and is part of the Committee’s effort to reauthorize the NNI. Subcommittee Members stated their support for the commercialization of nanotechnology and questioned witnesses on the relevance and effectiveness of NNI’s nanomanufacturing research in meeting industry needs.
"It is clear that nanotechnology can offer this nation and our entire world tremendous gains in the production of renewable energies, life-saving drugs, and new technologies that will protect us against chemical or biological agents,” said Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird. “That is why federal investment in basic research is critical to nanotechnology’s development. Unfortunately, this investment will be squandered if we do not successfully cultivate the technology into usable products or processes.”
"Certainly, the commercialization of nanotechnology, like any developing technology, is complex,” added Baird. "However, nanotechnology has some unique challenges. The development of nanomaterials and devices most often requires highly specialized and expensive instruments. In addition, the scale-up of nanotechnology requires unique processes that have very low error rates. Furthermore, quality control in nanomanufacturing requires lengthy evaluations and expensive equipment.”
Witnesses addressed the current difficulties in transferring nanotechnology research outcomes to commercially viable products, devices and processes. Members questioned the sufficiency of NNI’s current investment in basic research to reach the U.S.’s goal of global leadership in nanomanufacturing.
Recent Research and Science Education Hearings and Markups
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Subcommittee Jurisdiction
Committee Rule 3(a)(3)
Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to science policy and science education including:
- Office of Science and Technology Policy;
- all scientific research, and scientific and engineering resources (including human resources), math, science and engineering education;
- intergovernmental mechanisms for research, development, and demonstration and cross-cutting programs;
- international scientific cooperation;
- National Science Foundation, including NSF earthquake programs;
- university research policy, including infrastructure and overhead;
- university research partnerships, including those with industry;
- science scholarships;
- issues relating to computers, communications, and information technology;
- research and development relating to health, biomedical, and nutritional programs;
- to the extent appropriate, agricultural, geological, biological and life sciences research; and
- materials research, development, and demonstration and policy.
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Subcommittee Members
Democrats:
Brian Baird (Washington),
Chairman
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas)
Daniel Lipinski (Illinois)
Jerry McNerney (California),
Vice Chairman
Russ Carnahan (Missouri)
Baron P. Hill (Indiana)
Andre Carson (Indiana)
Bart Gordon (Tennessee),
ex officio
Republicans:
Vernon J. Ehlers (Michigan),
Ranking Member
Roscoe G. Bartlett (Maryland)
Randy Neugebauer (Texas)
Dave Reichert (Washington)
Brian Bilbray (California)
Ralph M. Hall (Texas),
ex officio
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