Preface

anoscience and nanotechnology are at the cutting edge of both academic research and industrial development. Perhaps no other field includes a basic understanding of nature and visions of radically new engineering possibilities and concepts of possible future markets.

According to the great value of them, Korea and the United States are supporting nanoscience and nanotechnology as priority research areas. Recently, delegates at the fifth meeting of U.S.-Korea Joint Committee on Scientifics and Technology cooperation(held on October 30-31, 2002 in Seoul, Korea) agreed that the establishment of a Korea-U.S. Nanoforum would be mutually beneficial to both countries for furthering nanoscience and nanotechnology research. Specifically, a joint forum between Korea and the United States will facilitate networking between research communities and agencies, enabling each side to exchange information and explore opportunities for cooperative efforts.

The first Korea-U.S. Nanoforum was held on October 14-15, 2003 in Seoul. This forum successfully brought together world leaders in research and policy makers. It did more than examine the science, technology and policy issues of the present. It also convinced that mutual cooperation and partnership would be crucial for ensuring the success of nanoscience and nanotechnology R&D programs in both countries.

This forum has been very successful with 250 participants from both countries working on a broad range of nano research areas. The Recommendations have been adopted by the forum participants. It will ensure the continuing of partnership of both countries and success of nanoscience and nanotechnology research.

The organizing committee was responsible for materializing the forum. We are grateful all of them for their invaluable role for making the high quality of the forum.

We also wish to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of Korea(MOST) and National Science Foundation(NSF) for their support and participation. Korea and U.S. side speakers added the value of the forum. The forum would not have been possible without the efforts from Korea Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation and Planning(KISTEP) and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information(KISTI). 

Jo-Won Lee
Co-chairman of the First Korea-U.S. Nanoforum
Director of the National Program for Tera-level Nanodevices