WASHINGTON, DCWith nanotechnology being described by business and government leaders as "The Next Industrial Revolution," the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced they will expand their efforts to help industry, governments and the public reap nanotechnology's benefits by better anticipating and managing possible environmental and health implications.

"The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is engaged in something very rare in our rapidly changing, technology-driven world," said Wilson Center President and Director Lee Hamilton. "It is working to look over the horizon at one of the most critical technologies of the day and help the nation to stay ahead of the technology curve."

Today's announcement reflects an additional $3 million Pew investment over the next two years. Since it was launched in 2005, the Project has helped jumpstart and shape the nation's understanding of nanotechnologies, and helped policymakers assess industry and government readiness to manage its implications. The Project also developed the first broad inventory of consumer products that claim nano-properties. More information can be found at www.nanotechproject.org.

According to Hamilton, "It has produced objective, in-depth analysis of nanotechnology's potential environmental, health, and social impacts. It is providing sound principles and policy recommendations for coping with and reaping the benefits that nanotechnology promises, and it is bringing together stakeholders from every sector for informed, productive and creative discussion and collaborations. The Project also is fostering a better understanding of how institutions need to change to accommodate this new technology."

"Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize everything from the medicine Americans take to the food they eat, but we also need to understand and manage its risks,
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Contact: Julia Moore
julia.moore@wilsoncenter.org
202-691-4025
Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies
15-Mar-2007