FAQ	What is a nanometer? One-billionth of a meter. For comparison purposes, consider that the width of human hair is approximately 80,000 nanometers. A nanometer-sized particle also is smaller than a living cell and can be seen only with the most powerful microscopes available today. How much money is the U.S. government spending on nanotechnology? Federal funding for nanotechnology R&D has increased substantially since inception, from $464 million in 2001 to an estimated $1,081 million in 2005. The 2006 budget request that President has sent to Congress calls for a total NNI budget of $1,054 million. How does this spending compare to other countries? The United States is not the only country to recognize the tremendous economic potential of nanotechnology. While difficult to measure accurately, some have estimated that worldwide government funding has increased to about five times what it was in 1997, exceeding $2 billion in 2002. Asian countries, including Japan, China and Korea, as well as several European countries, have made leadership in nanotechnology national priorities. Why fund nanotechnology? Nanotechnology has the potential to profoundly change our economy and to improve our standard of living, in a manner not unlike the impact made by advances over the past two decades by information technology. While commercial products are starting to come to market, some of the major applications for nanotechnology are five to ten years out. Private investors look for shorter-term returns on investment, more in the range of one to three years. Consequently, government support for basic research and development in its early stages is required in order to realize nanotechnology's full potential and to maintain a competitive position in the worldwide nanotechnology marketplace. What products available today have resulted from nanoscience? Numerous products featuring the unique properties of nanoscale materials are available to consumers and industry today. Most computer hard drives, for instance, contain giant magnetoresistance (GMR) heads that, through nano-thin layers of magnetic materials, allow for a significant increase in storage capacity. Other electronic applications include non-volatile magnetic memory, automotive sensors, landmine detectors and solid-state compasses. Some other current uses that are already in the marketplace include: Burn and wound dressings, water filtration, catalysis, a dental-bonding agent, step assists on vans, coatings for easier cleaning glass, bumpers and catalytic converters on cars, protective and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and cars, sunscreens and cosmetics, longer-lasting tennis balls, light-weight, stronger tennis racquets, stain-free clothing and mattresses, and ink. Read more about products and applications in our news board/forum. What are engineered nanoparticles? Engineered nanoparticles refers to those that do not occur naturally but are created by people. People have been putting together different materials throughout time, and now are doing so on the nanoscale. How many researchers are working in nanotechnology today? The current estimate is about 20,000 worldwide. What are future workforce needs? The National Science Foundation has estimated that 2 million workers will be needed to support nanotechnology industries worldwide within 15 years.

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