Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Ecosystem (NICE)

The Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Ecosystem (NICE) is a working group chartered by the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee, the interagency body responsible for coordinating the NNI, the Federal program that oversees nanotechnology R&D.

Purpose and Goals

The overall purpose of the NICE Working Group is to promote the advancement and acceleration of nanotechnology innovation within U.S-centric commercial industries. This includes stimulating nanotechnology innovation in and by Federal Government agencies, for their use and in transferring technology to the private sector.

The NICE Working Group has the following functions:

• Advocate for nanotechnology innovation, nanomanufacturing advancement, and technology transfer within and by Federal agencies.
• Promote collaboration between Federal agencies to shepherd promising technologies from lab to market
• Exchange information and facilitate interactions and collaborations relating to nanoscience, nanotechnology, and nanomanufacturing among Federal agencies, academe, industry, professional societies, and State and local organizations.

The NICE Working Group will:

• Enhance communication of information related to nanotechnology innovation and nanomanufacturing amongst the NSET Subcommittee, NNI participating agencies, and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO).  This may include information about research and workforce education, manufacturing issues, market-driven needs, standards and nomenclature.
• Facilitate the identification, prioritization, and implementation of activities to improve technology exchanges among Federal, State, and local organizations and university and industry stakeholders in nanotechnology. 
• Identify the challenges industry faces in nanotechnology commercialization and determine how the Federal government might assist in overcoming those challenges.

Membership

Membership is open to all Federal agencies and their component organizations.  Please contact the Co-Chairs listed below for information:

Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa at azlin.m.biaggi-labiosa@nasa.gov

Lynnette Madsen at lmadsen@nsf.gov