Dec 9 2008
The Nanotechnology Research Foundation (NRF) was recently established as a non-profit organization specifically focused on supporting the acceleration of nanotechnology awareness, education, recognition, funding, research and innovation.
Serving as a catalyst for nanotechnologies, the foundation will be funded by a diverse group of stakeholders from the private sector, foundations, government agencies, high net worth individuals and those individuals that want to support an effort that can dramatically improve American output from energy to medical diagnosis and treatment. Between China and India alone, graduating engineers are out pacing America by more than 10 to 1 and there are billions of dollars spent on government funded research programs coming from other countries including the European Union and Japan .
"Not only does this have an economic impact on America , but we might lose the intellectual race as well," said Michael Terlaak, the Executive Director and Founder of the NRF. "If we lose that, our last stronghold as a global leader, we will be dependent on other counties to create the new technological breakthroughs that will give us the next generation of innovative products and medical advancements. True, America still leads in innovation, the same way we once did in manufacturing, electronics and automobiles years ago. Without taking bold steps today, we are in jeopardy of letting our global leadership gradually erode like it has in other industries."
The Nanotechnology Research Foundation mission is to attract capital and talent from across the country to stimulate creativity and advance the adoption of nanotechnologies with sustainable industry practices for economic, environmental and social benefits.
This mission is accomplished through a series of programs including, an educational tour, scholarship programs, foundation sponsorships and government relations. Partnerships to promote education with higher learning institutions will kick off with a University of California at San Diego (UCSD) partnership. Along with the initiation of the newly formed UCSD Nanoengineering Department, the NRF is supporting the institutions efforts to build and fund a research lab dedicated to the advancement of nanotechnology. Other such programs will include a collaborative library for published documents and newsletters on breakthroughs and funding programs.
The NRF's "The Nano Plan" will focus on education programs and scholarships to help attract students into the field of nano-engineering and other scientific studies using nanotechnology to create the next generation of products and solutions. The Nano Plan includes broad education initiatives and public service programs to create awareness about the opportunities using nano-scale science. (www.TheNanoPlan.org)
"I am impressed with the NRF's ability to provide this level of collaboration, bringing together a variety of stakeholders to collectively create programs that will sustain our leadership role in technology," said NRF Board Member, Surinder Singh, and former CEO of Consumer Business for Citigroup. "I am proud to join this talented group of individuals that I think can truly create the breakthroughs we need to create awareness and advance research."