<div align="center">Nanotechnology and Materials Technology Development
</div>
<div align="center"></div>

Introduction
Nanotechnology is an advanced technology that has received a lot of attention for its ability to make use of the unique properties of nanosized materials. Nanotechnology is capable of manipulating and controlling material structures at the nano level (a nanometer is equal to one millionth of a millimeter) and offering unprecedented functions and excellent material properties. Nanotechnology consists of the “top-down approach” and the “bottom-up approach.” In the former approach, the sophistication of fine processing technologies, such as semiconductor manufacturing, can lead to the processing of nanosized fine structures. In the bottom-up approach, self-organization properties inherent in materials can be utilized to assemble nanosized fine structures from the atomic or moleculer levels. Nanotechnology, including nanostructured material metrology to accurately determine physical properties at the nanolevel, is considered a strategic technological area that goes beyond conventional technologies, potentially leading to a paradigm shift in new industrial technologies. The basic concept of nanotechnology first emerged half a century ago. Actual observation and manipulation of nanosized atoms became possible when scanning tunneling microscopes came into practical use in the first half of the 1980s. Since the United States launched its National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2000 as a strategic governmental research program, global nanotechnology research and development investment has been on the rise.

As stated in the “Science and Technology Basic Plan” (March 2001) and “Promotion Strategy of Prioritized Areas” (September 2001) of the Cabinet Office’s Council for Science and Technology Policy, Japan considers nanotechnology and nanomaterials to be key areas for the 21st century that will support a wide range of scientific and technological breakthroughs. Moreover, they are priority technologies essential to the sustainable development of economic society and enhancement of industrial competitiveness. Given their importance, the Japanese government has designated nanotechnology and materials as one of four priority areas for enhanced research and development over the next five years. NEDO, Japan&#39;s largest public R&D management organization for promoting advanced industrial technology development, has been carrying out various activities related to nanotechnology in recent years. Nanotechnology is indeed a key technology for innovative development in various industrial technologies, and it is expected to contribute to significant energy conservation and environmental burden reduction in the future. Because of this, NEDO allocated 16.3 billion yen to activities concerning nanotechnology and materials in its FY2005 R&D budget of 148.1 billion yen.

This brochure describes NEDO’s research and development projects that involve the collaborative efforts of government, industry and academia in the area of nanotechnology as well as research and development support provided to private sector enterprises.

---------
Link:

**Hidden Content: To see this hidden content your post count must be 2 or greater.**