Since 2000, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has brought together the numerous government agencies needed to advance research and development in the field of nanotechnology that " is taking place in academic, government, and industry laboratories across the United States." Visitors new to nanotechnology will find the tabs on the far right of the website to help explain the basics, including an overview of nanotechnology, its benefits, and how the NNI is supporting the field. It is worth noting that a nanometer is one billionth of a meter, and that they are being used in medicine, solar panel manufacture, drinking water purification, and environmental cleanup. To put the size of a nanometer in some perspective, the thickness of a sheet of paper is 100,000 nanometers. Visitors interested in learning more should check out the tabs "Nanotechnology 101" and "Nanotechnology and You." Teachers visiting the site should take a look at the "Education" link that caters to K-12 students, containing everything from workbooks to online games. This area has a section dedicated to "higher education programs" that lists nanotechnology bachelor, masters, and Ph.D. degree programs available across the country.