This book provides an overview of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) which was launched in 2001, with an initial budget of $500 million. The NNI is a cross-cutting Federal program designed to coordinate U.S. investment in research and development (R&D) activities in nanoscale science, engineering, technology, and related efforts. The NNI has four broad objectives: (1) to advance world-class nanotechnology research and development; (2)to foster the transfer of new technologies into products for commercial and public benefit; (3)to develop and sustain educational resources, a skilled workforce, and the supporting infrastructure and tools to advance nanotechnology; and (4)to support the responsible development of nanotechnology. The NNI has had a "catalytic and substantial impact" on the growth of the U.S. nanotechnology industry and as a result, the United States is today, the global leader in this exciting and economically promising field of research and technological development.