Nanoelectronics: An International Perspective [Point of View]

Discoveries and innovations in nanotechnology are flourishing worldwide. Centers of excellence and research networks with long term programs supporting nanoelectronics, nanomagnetics, and nanophotonics have been created in the United States (U.S.), Europe, Japan, and other parts of the world. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has provided a long-term scientific focus, a partnership approach, and a means of environmentally responsible funding the field in the United States since 2000. The program also inspired and partially motivated nanotechnology R&D activities in about 60 other countries. Creative programs of similar investment scale are underway in Europe and Asia. In Europe, the FP7 program organizes all the EU research initiatives including in nanoelectronics into four categories: Cooperation, Ideas, People, and Capacities.