JMAR may benefit from the multi-$Billion nanotech bill to be signed soon...
Senate Approves $3.7B Nanotech Bill
By Roy Mark
The U.S. Senate has approved $3.7 billion over the next four years for nanotechnology research and development. The emerging science is the top inter-agency R&D priority in the Bush Administration's fiscal 2004 proposed budget, excluding medical and military projects.
Nanotechnology refers to the ability of scientists and engineers to work with matter at the atomic level. With new tools, structural properties of matter 1/100,000 the width of hair can be manipulated.
The technology could change the way products are designed and made in IT, medicine, energy, bio-technology, electronics and other fields. For IT, nanotechnology processes could possibly allow semiconductor innovation to advance Moore's Law beyond the limits of today's design, development, and fabrication tools.
The Senate version represents a compromise with the House Science Committee, which earmarked $2.36 billion over three years. The House is expected to pass the Senate version within the next few days.
"As soon as we pass, it goes straight to the president," said Jeff Donald, deputy communications director for the House Science Committee. |
