Defense Nanotechnology Research and Development Programs
Abstract:
The DoD has a long history of successfully supporting innovative nanotechnology research efforts for the future advancement of warfighter and battle systems capabilities. Since the 1980s, DoD--including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA, Office of Naval Research ONR, Army Research Office ARO and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research AFOSR--initiated numerous research programs focusing on advancing science and technology below one micron in size. By the mid-1990s, DoD identified nanoscience as one of six Strategic Research Areas SRAs that would require a substantial amount of basic research funding on a long-term basis. Scientific breakthroughs and advances in the last few years demonstrate the potential for nanotechnology to impact a tremendous number of key aspects for future warfighting chemical and biological warfare defense reduction in weight of warfighting equipment high performance materials for platforms and weapons high performance information technology energy and energetic materials and uninhabited vehicles and miniature satellites. In support of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, DoD is a member of the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Technology NSET subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Councils Committee on Technology. Twenty three federal departments and agencies are members of the NSET, including the Intelligence Community. The NSET meets monthly to coordinate the federal governments nanotechnology programs through the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office NNCO.