Knowledge production and nanotechnology: Characterizing American dissertation research, 1999–2009

Understanding the emergence and evolution of nanoscience research is important for economic competitiveness and development as well as public policies concerning higher education and research and development. Assessing the emerging state of knowledge about nanotechnology is a significant step in enriching understandings of existing and future research capacities. To this end, we utilized bibliometric methods to characterize the profile and distribution of recent dissertations awarded at U.S. institutions. Our finding suggest that dissertations on nanotechnology experienced secular growth and were concentrated in engineering departments at established research universities and stimulated by federal funding. Finally, graduate research was geographically stratified and clustered in metropolitan areas with dense research infrastructures and ties to hi-technology industries. The implications for policymakers and social scientists interested in nanotechnology are assessed.