Nanotechnology Innovation Systems: A Regional Comparison

Abstract

The ‘nanotechnology’ concept first captured the world’s attention when the Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman advocated the possibility of widespread nanotechnology research by delivering his famous speech, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” just half a century ago. The emerging nanotechnology field comprises one of the fastestgrowing research and development (R&D) areas in the world (National Science and Technology Council, 2006). Developed countries, as well as many developing countries, have prioritized nanotechnology as a core scientific and technological research agenda since the early 2000s. R&D activities in nanotechnology have been strengthened worldwide recently to provide a foundation for technological advancement, since governments of many countries have invested aggressively in the relevant research through academic funds and subsidies for private ABStrAct