NANOECONOMICS

The lead researchers coordinating and directing extensive research projects are generally known as principal investigators. They are the ones who design projects; manage their implementation and thus, plan research. Principal Investigators have long been agents of both research management and of policy, but more recently, they have also become agents of the economic development, as they control the expenditure of significant public money. Their new role relates to coordinating with multiple organizations, including industries. They connect industries and universities, molding research to match the future requirements of market and anticipating scientific and technological developments to enable new products and markets to be created.