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        Does nanotechnology's definition matter?

        SmallTimes Online Managing Editor David Forman takes on the question of the definition of nanotechnology in SmallTimes Direct, their free email newsletter: โ€œShould sub-100 nanometer integrated circuits be considered nanotechnology? And, other than for the purposes of allocating National Nanotechnology Initiative dollars, does it matter?

        โ€œThe responses were entertaining, to say the least. Some went over our heads, technically speaking. Others were, well, many pages long. (Okay, I asked for it.). Most were pretty thought provoking and tended to agree that it matters and that there are some strong arguments for including sub-100nm chips.

        โ€œMy pick for the most elegantly incisive litmus test was reader Justin Bolandโ€™s comment: โ€œThe key to honestly applying โ€˜nanoโ€™ to a device is this test: Does the key functionality derive significant advantage from a โ€˜nanoโ€™ scale phenomena that is not as significant in other length scales?โ€ However, Boland also made the point that the patent office addresses both process and device, and perhaps we should, too, in determining a test for โ€œnano-nessโ€.

        โ€œAs for whether it matters, General Dynamicsโ€™ Tihamer Toth-Fejel [a Foresight Participating Member โ€“CP] boiled it down to this: โ€œConstant terminology is necessary for clear communication.โ€ And without clear communication we risk wasting taxpayer money and undermining our efforts to fund nanotechnology. And so, the argument goes, yes it matters.โ€

        CP: Letโ€™s look at the criterion stated above, โ€œDoes the key functionality derive significant advantage from a โ€˜nanoโ€™ scale phenomena that is not as significant in other length scales?โ€ My question is, since the usual size range given for โ€œnanoscaleโ€ is 1-100 nm, doesnโ€™t this include all phenomena based on chemistry or materials science properties? Doesnโ€™t the NNI definition have this same problem?

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