Media Advisory 04-11
Conference Explores Nanotechnology and its Commercialization

March 18, 2004

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Commerce's Technology Administration invite interested media to "The National Nanotechnology Initiative: From Vision to Commercialization." The three-day conference will provide a comprehensive status report and overview of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), including priorities, budgets, research projects, outcomes, and prospects for commercialization. The first day will be devoted to nanomanufacturing, and the following two days to overviews of various agencies and large projects.

The conference will be held from Wednesday, Mar. 31, through Friday, Apr. 2, at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Details and a complete agenda are available at the conference website: http://www.infocastinc.com/NNI/nnihome.asp. Directions to the convention center are available at http://www.dcconvention.com/directions/default.asp.

Among the highlights will be a presentation by Rice University chemist Richard E. Smalley, who helped ignite the current explosion of interest in nanotechnology with his Nobel-prize winning discovery of the globular carbon structures known as "Buckyballs." NSF's Mihail C. Roco, who chairs the NNI's governing body, the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Council will also speak.

Other highlights include talks by presidential science advisor John H. Marburger III, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Phillip J. Bond, Under Secretary for Technology at the Department of Commerce; Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Chair of the House Committee on Science; and three other members of Congress: Sen. George Allen (R-VA), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Rep. Michael M. Honda (D-CA).

Qualified journalists can apply for a press pass online at http://www.infocastinc.com/NNI/nnipress.htm. Questions or comments may be directed to Nannette Mooney at (818) 783-5493.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
M. Mitchell Waldrop, NSF (703) 292-8070 mwaldrop@nsf.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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