Conference: 2023 Workshop on Nanotechnology Infrastructure of the Future

国家纳米技术协调基础设施（NNCI）是一个有影响力的网络，由16个地理位置和技术不同的共享纳米技术设施组成，使科学家和工程师能够进行开创性的研究，否则他们将无法获得广泛的纳米技术设备。除了提供对最先进的纳米技术设施和专业知识的开放访问外，NNCI站点还合作开发纳米技术教育、推广和劳动力发展计划。作为对2025年美国国家科学基金会（NSF）奖项结束的回应，NNCI正在组织一个“2023年未来纳米技术基础设施研讨会”，以收集必要的信息，为2025年及以后共享的国家纳米技术基础设施资源推荐一条战略前进道路。为期两天的研讨会将包括特邀演讲、与学术界、工业界和政府机构领导人的小组讨论，以及集中讨论以下主题的头脑风暴会议：(1)为纳米技术基础设施的未来奠定基础；(2)预测未来；纳米技术2035，(3)促进K-14的纳米技术教育，(4)将纳米技术从研发转化为市场，(5)重新构想环境和社会可持续性，以及(6)衡量成功：影响分析和指标。该研讨会将于2023年9月在华盛顿特区举行，并在线举行，以使广大观众更容易进入，因为纳米技术和相关领域的所有美国利益相关者都将受到欢迎。通过积极参与，研讨会与会者将确定技术趋势、我们现有技术能力和教育方面的重大差距，以及符合不同利益相关者需求的审慎解决方案。研讨会的成果将是一份面向公众的成果报告，为国家纳米技术基础设施资源的下一次迭代提出前进的道路。许多学术机构、小公司和非营利组织负担不起拥有和维护开发新技术所需的各种科学设备组合。自1977年以来，美国国家科学基金会一直在支持一个设备齐全、开放获取的实验室网络，这些实验室位于全国各地的不同大学。来自东道国大学以外的研究人员在接受使用相关设备的适当培训后可以进入这些实验室。获得尖端科学设备使资源匮乏的科学家和工程师能够进行变革性研究，从而产生了许多有影响力的发明和创业企业。同样重要的是，这些网络培育了对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）教育和推广充满热情的社区，从而使各级学习者都能成长和成功。目前被称为国家纳米技术协调基础设施（NNCI）的开放获取实验室网络的资助将持续到2025年。为了帮助对下一个开放获取实验室资源提出建议，研讨会参与者将探讨研究人员和教育工作者的预期需求，并将集思广益以最好地满足这些需求。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) is an impactful network of 16 geographically and technically diverse shared nanotechnology facilities that enable scientists and engineers, who otherwise would not have access to a broad suite of nanotechnology equipment, to perform groundbreaking research. Along with providing open-access to state-of-the-art nanotechnology facilities and expertise, the NNCI sites also collaborate to develop nanotechnology education, outreach, and workforce development programs. In response to the ending of this National Science Foundation (NSF) award in 2025, the NNCI is organizing a “2023 Workshop on Nanotechnology Infrastructure of the Future” to gather the necessary information to recommend a strategic path forward for a shared national nanotechnology infrastructure resource for 2025 and beyond. The hybrid, two-day workshop will feature invited talks, panel discussions with leaders from academia, industry, and government agencies, and brainstorming sessions focused on the following topics: (1) Setting the Stage for the Future of Nanotechnology Infrastructure, (2) Forecasting the Future: Nanotechnology 2035, (3) Catalyzing Nanotechnology Education for K-14, (4) Translating Nanotechnology from R&D to Market, (5) Reimagining Environmental and Social Sustainability, and (6) Measuring Success: Impact Analysis and Metrics. The workshop will take place in September 2023 in Washington D.C. and online to enable easier access for a broad audience, since all U.S. stakeholders in nanotechnology and related fields will be welcome. Through active participation, the workshop attendees will identify technological trends, significant gaps in our existing technical capabilities and education, and prudent solutions that align the needs of the various stakeholders. The outcome of the workshop will be a public-facing outcomes report recommending a path forward for the next iteration of a national nanotechnology infrastructure resource.Many academic institutions, small companies, and non-profit organizations cannot afford to own and maintain the diverse portfolio of scientific equipment needed to develop new technology. Since 1977, the NSF has supported some incarnation of a network of well-equipped, open-access laboratories located at various universities across the country. Researchers from outside of the host universities can gain entry to the laboratories after being properly trained to use the relevant equipment. Access to cutting-edge scientific equipment has empowered low-resource scientists and engineers to perform transformative research which has resulted in many impactful inventions and entrepreneurial ventures. Equally important, these networks have fostered communities that are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and outreach and thereby enable learners at all levels to grow and succeed. The current open-access laboratory network, called the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), is funded until 2025. To help make recommendations for the next open-access laboratory resource, workshop participants will explore the anticipated needs of researchers and educators and will brainstorm approaches to best meet these needs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.