A new publication, “Nanoinformatics 2020 Roadmap” is expected to enable and enhance connections among nanotechnology science and engineering researchers, manufacturers and interested government agencies. Produced by the Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States, and several other groups, the publication is the first broad-based nanotechnology community effort to meet the needs and goals of nanoinformatics. According to the article, nanoinformatics is “the science and practice of determining which information is relevant to the nanoscale science and engineering community, then developing and implementing mechanisms for collecting, validating, storing, sharing, analyzing, modeling and applying that information.” Mark Tuominen, director of the National Nanomanufacturing Network (NNN) at UMass, said, “We strategized so this roadmapping would be steered by and for the nanoinformatics community and no single institution or government agency would dominate. The roadmap is a handbook for ourselves, the broader community and federal agencies.” Tuominen adds, “There are literally thousands of groups doing independent investigations, producing data and a great deal of valuable information, but unable to fully access and use each other’s developments. In our analogy, if one town makes glassware, another makes forks and another spoons, but they’ve never met and shared, they need a way to get together. We’re helping to launch that roadmap, so everyone in nanotechnology across the country can share expertise and new technology can happen.” The Roadmap is available for download online at the link below.
http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/128465.php