Scalable Nanomanufacturing

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announces a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations. This program is in response to and is a component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing - Creating the Industries of the Future (http://www.nano.gov/html/research/NNISigInitSustainableMfrFINALJuly2010.pdf). Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to produce relatively small quantities of nanomaterials and devices, the emphasis of this program is research that supports the identification and demonstration of nanomanufacturing processes with high potential to scale to economically and industrially relevant production levels. The mode of support is Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Teams (NIRT). Proposals submitted to this program must address at least one, and preferably more than one, of the following interconnected themes:Novel processes and techniques for continuous and scalable nanomanufacturing;Directed (physical/chemical/biological) self-assembly processes leading to heterogeneous nanostructures with the potential for high-rate production; Principles and design methods to produce machines and processes to manufacture nanoscale structures, devices and systems; and/orLong-term societal and educational implications of the large-scale production and use of nanomaterials, devices and systems, including the life-cycle analysis of such nanomaterials, devices and systems.Other research and education projects in nanoscale science and engineering will continue to be supported in the relevant programs and divisions.