Social and Economic Networks
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This paper simulates research networks in nanotechnology in Germany and the US. Agent-based modelling is used to analyse how public third-party funding influences the diffusion of a high technology by four different ways of funding. This diffusion is measured by the emerging number of nanoscientists. Next to the size of the national research systems and the number of scientists, the spread of nanotechnology is measured by interdisciplinarity and the probability of changing one's disciplinary identity. The model is proper for the investigation of other high-technologies. Different ways of funding researchers can, according to the study results, influence the pattern of diffusion of a new technology in academia, in particular in the bigger research system of the US. While results are not significant for Germany, the way of funding researchers has significant effects in the US, with star scientists playing a crucial role for the distribution of public funding.