ATTENDANCE

Visiting Committee Baer, Tom Cassidy, John Fleury, Paul Heimbrook, Lou Ann Reichmanis, Elsa Serum, James Spong, David Williams, Robert Brumby, Janet VCAT Executive Director   Members Not Attending Cerf, William Floss, Gary Happer, William Starnes, Wyatt   NIST Senior Management Board Andeson, William Celotta, Robert Furlani, Cita Hall, Dale Heyman, Mat

Hill, James Gallagher, Patrick Gebbie, Katharine Hertz, Harry Jeffrey, William Kayser, Richard Kilmer, Roger Kirkner, Robert Klausing, Thomas May, Willie Semerjian, Hratch Stanley, Marc Steel, Eric Sunder, Shyam Szykman, Simon NIST Staff Alderoty, Neil Amos, Michael Arnold, George Baum, Michael Boehm, Jason Brainerd, Susan Brown, Ben Clegg, Jeffrey Clough, Debora Collica, Leslie Curry, Emily Ehrlich, Gail

Fletcher, Catherine Gayle, Frank Herbert, Denise Josell, Daniel Kosko, Jan Lide, Bettijoyce Ott, William Palla, Jenny Porter, Gail Postek, Michaek Schiller, Suzannah Stieren, David Vorburger, Theodore Williams, Carl Wisniewski, Lorel Wollman, David   Guests McDonald, Neil, Federal Technology Watch Razzaghik, Fred, CHPA

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology (VCAT) convened for its March 6-7, 2007, meeting at 8:30 A.M, in Gaithersburg, MD.

Designated EXIT locations were prominently displayed on the projection screen as all attendees entered the room.

Introduction:

Dr. E. David Spong, VCAT Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30am.  This is the first meeting Dr. Spong served as the newly elected Chair.  He welcomed the VCAT members and attendees.  Dr. Spong reviewed excerpts from the Charter to clarify the role of the VCAT and discussed the general format for meetings, which included how the three new subcommittees would operate and function at the VCAT meetings.  He announced the Committee election results [he is the new Chair and Dr. James Serum is the new Vice Chair] and his expectations for participation by VCAT members.   Questions were posed to the attendees:  “What is the relationship and level of activity of NIST with ANSI?  Does NIST have a vision of what the global playing field or standards should be?”  Actions for Subcommittee Chairs were outlined as goals to be met, resulting in a likely input from members to NIST.  To view Dr. Spong’s introduction see Dr. Spong — Introduction VCAT meeting March 2007.

NIST Update and Agenda Review

Dr. William Jeffrey welcomed the VCAT and attendees and asked everyone around the table to introduce themselves.   He commented on the restructured format for the VCAT meeting using three newly created VCAT subcommittees to provide focused inputs to NIST on areas in Nanotechnology, BioSciences/Health Care, and Information Technology.  The VCAT subcommittees will emphasize national priorities consistent with NIST’s mission/vision; each subcommittee can benefit by leveraging the talent and expertise of nationally and internationally recognized NIST staff.  Dr. Jeffrey reminded everyone that the meeting and subcommittee breakout sessions are open to all.  Three new VCAT members were announced:  Vinton Cerf (IT), William Happer (Physics), and Elsa Reichmanis (Materials Engineering).

Dr. Jeffrey responded to the 2006 VCAT Annual Report (2006 VCAT Annual Report) and addressed the status and progress in the areas of (1) strategic direction and performance, (2) infrastructure and process in support of strategic needs, and (3) outreach.  To view Dr. Jeffrey’s presentation see (Dr. Jeffrey — VCAT March 2007 presentation.)   The FY 2007 budget resulted in a continuing resolution.  The proposed FY 2008 budget is an excellent budget allowing enhanced research on measurement science, facility capabilities to grow with NIST’s mission, and continued strong growth for our Nation’s science and technology.

Nanotechnology Status

Dr. Robert Celotta reviewed the status of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST), a research program and a national user facility (Nanofab).  

See  Dr. Celotta — VCAT March 2007 presentation for important strategic areas of the NIST-wide four-year (FY 2007- FY 2010) nanotechnology program development plan.  The plan covers four themed areas:  manufacturing, characterization, devices and electronics.  VCAT will help CNST identify the research most important to the Nation, adding a critical long-term component to the strategic planning process and help CNST understand the impact of NIST’s contributions.

Biosciences/Health Care Status

Dr. Willie May reviewed the status of NIST’s role in the Biosciences/Health Care.   See Dr. May — VCAT March 2007 Presentation that addresses the challenge to define the “sweet spots”, new opportunities for NIST in BioScience and Health, to meet the nation’s most immediate needs through use of high risk, high-payoff new technologies.  The VCAT will provide feedback on (1) NIST’s outreach efforts to stakeholders in the federal and private sectors which offer measurement capabilities that could impact the bioscience and health care arena, (2) NIST’s focus and adequacy of the new “Standards for Bioimaging Program”, and (3) considering national needs and NIST’s mission, the appropriateness of areas suggested for potential program expansion, i.e., Metrology and Standards of Understanding Complex Biological Systems.

Laboratory

Environmental, Health and Safety Measurement Science & Standards Research for Nanotechnology — “One of the major hurdles facing the nanotechnology sector is the potential EHS risks associated with the synthesis, production, use, and disposal of materials and industrial streams containing nanomaterials.  This tour discussed NIST’s burgeoning efforts in the development of a program to provide the measurement science infrastructure and standards that will enable others (such as EPA, OSHA, NIEHS, industry, academe, etc.) to determine the effects of nanomaterials on the environment and human health and to monitor and control nanomaterials .  Current and future NIST work will focus on providing standards, standard methods, and data related to the environmental, health and safety of nanomaterials in support of the rapidly growing nanotechnology commercial sector in the U.S."

Designer Ion Beams for Next-generation Custom Nanofabrication — “NIST is developing a new type of ion source that dramatically improves upon existing sources, bringing more speed, versatility and new capabilities to a key nanofabrication technology.  Focused ion beams are one of the workhorses of nanoscale fabrication, allowing industries such as microelectronics to prototype, analyze, and modify nanostructures.  They are limited, however, in speed and type of ion that can be used. There is also no way to control ions one at a time, something that would be very useful for controlled doping of nanostructures.  NIST’s new ion source, which differs radically from previous sources, is based on laser cooling a collection of atoms to extremely cold temperatures, followed by ionization and extraction.  The additional control over the atoms that lasers provide make a whole range of new capabilities possible.  This research is being performed in collaboration with researchers at FEI Corporation, a leading manufacturer of focused ion beam systems, who are contributing a complete set of high-resolution ion-focusing optics for use in the source evaluation tests.”

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NANOTECHNOLOGY – Dr. Paul Fleury, Chair; VCAT Members:  Dr. John Cassidy, Dr. Elsa Reichmanis, Dr. Robert Williams, NIST Liaison — Dr. Robert Celotta

See Agenda—Nanotechnology Subcommittee

The Subcommittee defines “nanotechnology” the same as the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) does:

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.

At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter. Nanotechnology R&D is directed toward understanding and creating improved materials, devices, and systems that exploit these new properties.

The subcommittee will seek to understand to what extent there is overlap or gaps with NIST’s use of money for this research.  

NIST’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) consists of a Research Program (to provide measurement methods, standards and technology to support all phases of nanotechnology development from discovery to production) and the CNST Nanofab (a national facility with state-of-the-art, nanoscale fabrication and measurement capabilities). Both will serve as a hub to link the external nanotechnology community to the vast measurement expertise that exists within the NIST Laboratories, and

help to educate the next generation of nanotechnologist.  “The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), a federal interagency activity established in 2000, aims to expedite the discovery, development, and deployment of nanotechnology in order to achieve responsible and sustainable economic benefits, enhance the quality of life, and promote national security.” [1]   The NNI had a funding increase in FY 2008 with a substantial portion of that increase going to agencies under the American Competitiveness Initiative namely the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, and NIST.  NNI designated NIST for measurements technology for nanotechnology.  For handouts presented during the Nanotechnology Subcommittee breakout session see:  Dr. Robert Celotta -  A Bit More about the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Dr. Michael Postek - The Relationship between NIST and the NNI, presented by Dr. Paul Fleury - A Matter of Size, summary section of NRC prepublication draft, and What is the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) .

SUBCOMMITTEE ON BIOSCIENCE/HEALTH CARE – Dr. Tom Baer, Chair; VCAT Members:  Dr. Lou Ann Heimbrook, Dr. James Serum, NIST Liaison –

Dr. Willie May

The subcommittee identified the role of the committee as “tell the VCAT if NIST is giving priority to the right programs”.

Committee members identified a definition for “BioScience” as:  “The study of the causes, the development of therapeutics, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.  The study of biological materials for food, energy, environment, forensics and biohazard detection.”

The group discussed the establishment of a Biosciences Center at NIST:

• NIST support of the biomedical industry
• Current initiatives in support of bioscience
• An overview of the biomedical industry
• Should the committee formulate an “action plan”

This subcommittee wants NIST to identify where there are measurement needs and opportunities in the biomedical industry, and then select an area to work in; NIST should be recognized as “the leading measurement and standards organization for the bioscience and life-science industries.” 

The subcommittee feels there are resources available to expand NIST’s scientific contributions beyond the current staffing and skills capabilities (where the skill set has a gap) and, therefore, it needs to recruit bioscientists to be successful in providing those measures.

NIST should prioritize areas for expansion, including Health Care, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, especially:

• Health Care Services/Medical Devices/Diagnostics/Drug Development
• Biotechnology/Biopharmaceuticals
• Life Science Research
• Homeland Security

The team members then moved into a discussion of how NIST could best support the biomedical industry including:

• What NIST should focus upon?
• What the role of ITL would be?
• Does NIST currently have the right resources to move into the biomedical arena?
• The fact that NIST is, in essence, absent from the field of diagnostic medicine. (The idea that the VCAT could assist in obtaining the appropriation for NIST’s move into diagnostic medicine was also discussed here.)

The subcommittee members then went on to discuss some potential roles for NIST in the Bioscience arena including:

• Disease Discovery
• Drug Discovery
• Drug Development (There is significant opportunity for NIST in the area of manufacturing and research standards. Such as: what is the next pill going to look like? How will it be delivered? What will the new delivery technology look like?) In addition, 95%+ of all drugs fail during drug development (metabolism and toxicology testing), and clinical trials.  If NIST could reduce this percentage, the impact could be tremendous.
• Data Management (NIST has many opportunities in the area of the use and management of data.)
• Diagnostics
• Clinical Trials 

Five action items follow:

#1 - Define measurement science needs

#2 - Develop supporting documentation for major new initiatives including:

            How NIST will use existing resources

            How NIST will bring in new core competencies

#3 - Review/identify all current bioscience-related efforts at NIST

            Identify true amount currently being spent on bioscience at NIST

#4 - Define “bioscience” and “biotechnology”

#5 - Develop “taxonomy” of projects at NIST

DAY TWO:  3/7/07 

David Spong gave remarks on the previous day’s subcommittee breakout sessions. The subcommittees provide an opportunity for collaboration and coordination between VCAT, the CNST, and seven other Operating Units (EEEL, MEL, CSTL, PL, MSEL, BFRL and ITL) to better focus on areas that advance the NIST mission:   “To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.”  

The VCAT subcommittee chairs each gave their feedback overview of the thematic subcommittee areas that convened:   Nanotechnology – Dr. Paul Fleury, Nanotechnology Subcommittee Feedback and BioScience/Health Care – Dr. Thomas Baer, BioSciences/Health Care Subcommittee Feedback .  Dr. Spong suggested a change to the meeting frequency to three times a year rather than quarterly and no one objected.

NIST Action Items for next meeting: 

o       How does American National Standards Institute (ANSI) see the playing field; any looming issues?  ANSI and NIST need connection on what NIST as a whole should do.  What moved the needle in the standards arena?   George Arnold (former president of ANSI) and Belinda Collins will try to schedule Mr. S. Joe Bhatia, President and Chief Executive Officer, ANSI, to present at the next meeting.

o       The three subcommittees will meet on a rotating basis; IT will meet next time; it will be decided later which of the other two subcommittees will meet in Boulder.

o       There is a need for VCAT meetings to be shared visually to communicate. Use of WICKI can be limited to VCAT members, i.e., edit web pages to add content, similar to wikipedia. Speak with Tim Halton, Jim Fowler, and Jimmy Graham; look into something like MS live meeting.

VCAT Subcommittee Chair Action Items:   

o       The first steps will be to vet the feedback discussions presented. 

o       VCAT will lay first grounds for prioritization. 

o       By the end of April, VCAT Subcommittees will give Dr. Jeffrey input on their review and action ideas. 

Recommendations adopted:

o       The VCAT meetings will now be on a four month cycle.

o       August 14-15, 2007, is the next, and final, meeting of FY 2007 at NIST Boulder, CO.

o       Three meetings in FY 2008:

o       December 11-12, 2007, at the Hollings Marine Laboratory, in Charleston, SC;

o       April 8-9, 2008, at NIST Gaithersburg, MD

o       August 12-13, 2008, at NIST Boulder, CO

These minutes will be formally considered by the VCAT at its next meeting, and any corrections or notations will be incorporated into the minutes of that meeting. 

Disclaimer: These minutes are not a verbatim transcript of speakers’ comments but rather an interpretation of their main points. These comments reflect individual views of the members, not necessarily the views of the VCAT.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:00 A.M. on March 7, 2007.

I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete.

Janet Brumby
Executive Director
NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology

E. David Spong, D.Sc.
Chair
NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology