PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Olympia Snowe of Maine have introduced a bill to encourage nanotechnology development by offering prizes.

Democrat Wyden joined Snowe, a Republican, to propose at least four categories of prizes from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The competition categories would be green nanotechnology, alternative energy, human health and commercialization of consumer products.

Wyden says the competition will encourage the development of ways to solve problems such as global warming and energy efficiency.

He says competition for prizes has produced historic firsts such as Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.