March 18, 2003 – San Jose, CA – On the eve of the March 19 Congressional hearings on the Nanotechnology R&D Act of 2003, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reiterated its support for government research in nanotechnology, citing its potential to continue the unparalleled benefits that the microelectronic revolution has provided to our economy and society. SIA believes that nanotechnology should receive the significantly increased authorizations provided in the bill.
“Semiconductors have changed the way we work, think, and play by continually decreasing the cost and increasing the capabilities of computing and the benefits of furthering these trends are similarly significant,” stated George Scalise, SIA president. “Looking ahead, semiconductor technologists envision that current microchip technologies will reach their physical limits, and be replaced by new structures, which in turn will be replaced by other technologies. This nanoscience research will drive the scientific progress that will provide the foundation for these replacement technologies.”
On behalf of SIA, Scalise sent a letter to Congressmen Sherwood Boehlert, chairman of the Committee on Science, and Congressman Mike Honda, committee member, lauding their introduction of the Nanotechnology R&D Act of 2003.
Scalise laid out the benefits for the economy and society when advanced technology is introduced in the everyday lives of people around the world. For example, much of the productivity gains our economy enjoyed in the late 1990s were the results of advances in semiconductor technology. The congressional budget office (CBO) assumes that these trends will continue – in fact, the CBO’s estimate of a $1.3 trillion 2004 – 2013 federal budget deficit would be $247 billion higher but for CBO’s assumption of continued improvements in productivity due to computers. SIA believes that investments today in nanotechnology will provide similar benefits to future federal budgets.
“SIA is pleased that as recommended by the National Research Council, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) will be reviewing the program in order to help identify and measure strategic goals,” said Scalise. “We look forward to working with congress and the administration to move this bill forward.”