House passes nanotech R&D act

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	The House approved a bill establishing a national nanotechnology research and development program. H.R. 766 authorizes $2.4 billion over three years for research of molecular technologies.

The House approved a bill establishing a national nanotechnology research and development program. H.R. 766 authorizes $2.4 billion over three years for research of molecular technologies.

The National Science Foundation, Energy Department, NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Environmental Protection Agency would receive $713 million in fiscal 2004, $784.5 million the following year and $864 million in 2006.

The National Science Foundation predicts a $1 trillion market for devices and systems operating at atomic and molecular levels within a decade.

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