New data show nanotechnology-related activities in every U.S. state

Aug 19 2009

Every state can now lay claim to the nanotechnology revolution. Data released today by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) highlights more than 1,200 companies, universities, government laboratories, and other organizations across all 50 U.S. states and in the District of Columbia that are involved in nanotechnology research, development, and commercialization. This number is up 50 percent from the 800 organizations identified just two years ago.

While many of the original "Nano Metro" clusters -- areas with the nation's highest concentration of nanotechnology companies, universities, research laboratories, and organizations -- have maintained their prominence in the field, areas such as Boston have moved up in the rankings, while others, such as Raleigh, N.C., have broken into the top-ranked locations for the first time.

This information is part of PEN's interactive map displaying the growing "Nano Metro" landscape, powered by Google Maps(R), and available online at www.nanotechproject.org/121. The map's accompanying analysis ranks cities and states by numbers of companies, academic and government research centers, and organizations and technology focus by sector.

Nanotechnology Map Highlights:

• The top 4 states overall (each with over 75 entries) are California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. These states have retained their lead since the first analysis was released in 2007. Ohio has moved up four spots as the state with the sixth most entries. North Carolina has broken into the top 10 states for the first time.
• All 50 states and the District of Columbia have at least one company, university, government laboratory, or organization working in the field of nanotechnology.
• The top 6 Nano Metros (each with 30 or more entries) are: Boston; San Francisco; San Jose, Calif.; Raleigh; Middlesex-Essex, Mass.; and Oakland, Calif. Boston and San Francisco have taken the lead from San Jose. Raleigh has moved into the top 5 Nano Metros (displacing Oakland).
• The top 3 sectors for companies working in nanotechnology (each with over 200 entries) are: materials; tools and instruments; and medicine and health.
• The number of universities and government laboratories working in nanotechnology is still substantial, as it was in 2007, with 182 identified.

"The rapid growth in nanotechnology activity across the United States illustrates the impact of continued and significant investments in nanoscience and nanoengineering by the federal government and private sector," said PEN Director David Rejeski. "There is now not a single state without organizations involved in this cutting-edge field."

The global market for goods based on nanotechnology is predicted to grow from $147 billion in 2007 to $3.1 trillion in 2015, according to the research and advisory firm Lux Research. "Given this expected continuation in growth, the 'Nano Metro' map remains a work in progress and will be further updated as more data becomes available," according to Rejeski.

About Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the ability to measure, see, manipulate and manufacture things usually between 1 and 100 nanometers. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter; a human hair is roughly 100,000 nanometers wide.

The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies was launched in 2005 by the Wilson Center and The Pew Charitable Trusts. It is a partnership dedicated to helping business, governments, and the public anticipate and manage the possible health and environmental implications of nanotechnology.

www.nanotechproject.org