Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanotechnology Think Tank Welcomes Peter Diamandis, Ed Niehaus and James Von Ehr

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Abstract:
Commercial Space Flight, Media and Nanotechnology Experts Join Foresight Nanotech Institute's Board of Directors

Nanotechnology Think Tank Welcomes Peter Diamandis, Ed Niehaus and James Von Ehr

Menlo Park, CA | July 27, 2005

Foresight Nanotech Institute, the original organization in the nanotechnology field, has appointed commercial space flight pioneer, Dr. Peter Diamandis, CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation and CEO of Zero Gravity Corporation; venture capitalist and media expert, Ed Niehaus, Partner at Cypress Ventures; and nanotechnology leader and executive, James Von Ehr II, Founder and CEO of Zyvex Corporation, to its Board of Directors. All three will begin their term immediately.

"Foresight Nanotech Institute enthusiastically welcomes Messrs. Diamandis, Von Ehr, and Niehaus to our Board of Directors," said Scott Mize, President of Foresight Nanotech Institute. "They bring an abundance of knowledge, experience and wisdom that will assist Foresight in furthering our mission: ensuring the beneficial implementation of nanotechnology. The new Board members will take an active role in Foresight, including overseeing strategy development, participating in fundraising activities, providing access to a variety of resources and guiding the non-profit as we execute our plan for the next phase." Foresight Nanotech Institute, founded in 1986, updated its mission and focus in May 2005. The organization has expanded its activities as part of its new mission of promoting the beneficial use of nanotechnology, most notably by adopting the Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges. These challenges, which reflect the greatest issues humanity faces that can be addressed by nanotechnology, include meeting global energy needs with clean solutions, providing abundant clean water globally, increasing the health and longevity of human life, maximizing the productivity of agriculture, making powerful information technology available everywhere, and enabling the development of space.

Foresight has also launched a Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems in collaboration with Battelle, which is funded by The Waitt Family Foundation. Foresight also anticipates reformulating and upgrading its nanotechnology prizes including the Foresight Institute Feynman Grand Prize. The new Board members will guide these new initiatives.

"The addition of these new Board members is one more step in the development of Foresight Nanotech Institute," said Mize, "We plan to add more Board members that will contribute significantly to building the organization through out this year and next."

Dr. Peter Diamandis is the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, which awarded the $10,000,000 Ansari X PRIZE for private spaceflight in late 2004. He is also the CEO of Zero Gravity Corporation and Founder and Trustee of the International Space University (ISU), where he served as its first Managing Director. He is a graduate of MIT and Harvard Medical School and the winner of the Konstantine Tsiolkovsky Award, the Aviation & Space Technology Laurel, and the 2003 World Technology Award for Space.

X PRIZE

Zero Gravity Corporation

Ed Niehaus is a Partner with Cypress Ventures. He serves as a board member and active advisor to several nanotechnology and software startups. Previously, Ed was CEO of Niehaus Ryan Wong, Inc., the public relations agency that drove campaigns for VeriSign, Yahoo!, Apple's iMac and many other brands and companies. Ed has a BSME degree from Duke University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.

Cypress Ventures

James R. Von Ehr II is the Founder & CEO of Zyvex Corporation. He is active in numerous nanotechnology communities, including government, venture funding, and universities. Von Ehr has invested more money into nanotechnology than any other individual. His goal is to see the potential of nanotechnology realized in his lifetime.

Zyvex Corporation

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About Foresight Nanotech Institute:
Foresight Nanotech Institute is the leading think tank and public interest organization focused on nanotechnology. Founded in 1986, our mission is to ensure the beneficial implementation of nanotechnology. Focusing on the six Foresight Nanotechnology Challenges, Foresight provides balanced, accurate and timely information to help society understand nanotechnology through publications, guidelines, public policy activities, prizes, tutorials, conferences, discussion forums and networking events.

For more information, please visit www.foresight.org
Technology Roadmap for Productive Nanosystems
Foresight Institute Prizes

Media Contacts:
Judy Conner
Foresight Nanotech Institute
650-289-0860 x 255
judy@foresight.org
www.foresight.org

Jackie Flaten
Antenna Group
jacqueline@antennagroup.com
415-977-1921

Copyright © Foresight Nanotech Institute

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