Navy's Program in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology - A Look Ahead

摘要

The Navy anticipated in the early 1980s the possible opportunities nanoscience and nanotechnology might bring to building the 'Navy After Next'. The Office of Naval Research provided a leadership role in exploring those opportunities by creating focused programs and by organizing conferences that exposed the nation's scientists/engineers to many of these opportunities at the frontiers of science and technology. The Navy continues to provide leadership in the arenas of nanoscience and nanotechnology through its coordination and collaboration with other government agencies. As a result of the federal government's investment in nano approaching $1B in FY04, expectations for moving nano out of the laboratory and into fielded products have increased. The topic of how nanoscience and nanotechnology may be a key impetus for creating both new capabilities for Naval forces as well as new intellectual capacity in the Navy's research and development centers will be discussed. Additionally, the Navy has invested over $10M in a state-of-the-art research facility focused on multidisciplinary efforts in nanoscience. Ideas for collaborative activities in this center will be discussed, as well as an overview of the Center itself.