Select findings from the NCMS report include:
- First-generation nanotechnology products are increasingly common, as is the strategic consideration of nano-enabled technologies for product development, with 85% of respondents expected to commercialize products by 2013;
- There is great potential for cross-industry transfer of technologies through NNI-supported initiatives, although the range of application sectors has narrowed since 2006;
- Improved nanomaterials consistency and new nanomanufacturing technologies have enabled higher productivity and efficiency in the production of clean technologies such as photovoltaics and solar cells.
- Nano-biotechnology research and development is having a transformative impact on cross-sector collaborations and the incumbent IP and licensing issues in the medical and pharmaceutical industries.
- U.S. competitiveness and organizational viability and sustainability continue to be pressing issues for new and established businesses that developing nano-enabled products.
In the NCMS Septebmer 15 press release, Dr. Mihail Roco remarks, "This lastest survey indicates that nanotechnology is becoming a general purpose technology as envisioned in NSF's Nanotechnology Research Directions report issued in 2000."