What is NFE Nanotech?

What is nanotechnology and why is it important ?

Nanotechnology is the precision-engineering of materials at the scale of 10 ^-9 metres (one ten-thousandth the breadth of a human hair), at which point, new functionalities are obtained, resulting in products, devices and processes that will transform various industries.

• Nanotechnology is a set of emerging technologies.
• Nanotechnology is happening NOW with nano-enhanced products already on the shelves.
• Further developments are in the pipeline across a wide range of industry sectors, fuelled buy a vibrant science sector.
• Benefits are seen as smaller, smarter, cheaper, safer and cleaner products and processes.
• A national strategy on nanotechnology.

The Australian National Nanotechnology Strategy commenced on July 2007.

Key initiatives within the strategy are :

a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope for the National Measurement Institute (NMI) to provide new calibration service for nanoscale standards in Australia;

a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Working Group to coordinate regulatory issues relating to nanotechnology; and

a Public Awareness and Engagement Program.