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ISO tackles nanotech standards(Research and Development Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)The new International Organization for Standardization technical committee ISO/TC 229, established to develop international standards for nanotechnologies, recently held its inaugural meeting in London where it spelled out its goals. The committee endeavors to develop standards for a variety of nanotechnology issues including: classification, terminology and nomenclature; basic metrology; calibration and certification; and environmental issues. In addition, it will develop standardized test processes that will zero in on physical, chemical, structural, and biological properties of materials or devices whose performance is vitally reliant on one or more dimensions of less than 100 nm. Currently there are 24 ISO-member countries participating, while another eight have observer status. Heading up the committee will be the British Standards Institution (BSI). "The productive and successful first meeting of ISO/TC 229 bodes well for its future work which will play a crucial role in facilitating and sharing innovation in an exciting new field of technology," says ISO Secretary General Alan Bryden. Agencies such as the U.S. National Science Foundation, Arlington, Va., predict that the market for nanotechnology, or products containing nanotechnology, will reach $1 trillion in the next 10 to 15 years. Resources International Organization for Standardization , +41-22-749-01-11, www.ISO.org |