Evaluating the performance of Russia in the research in nanotechnology

The article analyzes the development of nano research in Russia during the years 1990–2010. To identify the contribution of Russia in nanoscience and to compare it with the contribution of other countries, we used the international multidisciplinary database Science Citation Index Expanded. Scientific performance is measured based on the growth rate of nano publications by countries and in the world, authorship patterns, indexes of international collaboration, etc. The indicators used are the national publication output, the total citations and the average citation per nano publication, the number and subject profile of highly cited nano publications; contribution and impact of Russian institutions. The article describes the current state and trends of nano research in Russia, their key players and the existing “centers of excellence.” It also discusses some inconsistencies of Russia’s science policy in the field of nanotechnology in light of the performed bibliometric study.