Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanotechnology Experts Converge in Singapore for the 1st Nano Today Conference: Over 450 nanoscience researchers expected at event organized by Nano Today and IBN

Home > Press > Nanotechnology Experts Converge in Singapore for the 1st Nano Today Conference: Over 450 nanoscience researchers expected at event organized by Nano Today and IBN

Abstract:
Current developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology and their extensive impact on our lives will take center stage at the 1st Nano Today Conference that will be held at the Biopolis in Singapore from August 3 to 5. 33 of the world's leading nanotechnology experts will address over 450 international delegates at the three-day conference organized by the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, and Nano Today, a leading nanoscience and nanotechnology journal, published by Elsevier, with an impact factor of 8.795.

Nanotechnology Experts Converge in Singapore for the 1st Nano Today Conference: Over 450 nanoscience researchers expected at event organized by Nano Today and IBN

Singapore | Posted on August 3rd, 2009

This inaugural conference features plenary lectures by 3 eminent pioneers of the field, 30 invited talks by leading scientists from 26 internationally renowned institutions, 75 contributed oral and 205 poster presentations by researchers from 33 countries. The contributed presentations were selected from over 600 abstract submissions from countries including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.

Chaired by Nano Today Editor-in-Chief and IBN Executive Director, Professor Jackie Y. Ying, the 1st Nano Today conference will focus on the latest advances in nanostructured materials and systems for wide-ranging applications in fields such as electric, optical, magnetic and biomedical devices, chemical and biologics synthesis, energy generation and storage, as well as biomaterials and biomimetic systems.

"Nanotechnology is making a big impact in the scientific world today because of its multidisciplinary nature, and its tremendous potential in areas such as biomedicine, chemical synthesis, energy generation and photonics. The Nano Today journal and IBN are delighted to organize the first Nano Today Conference to provide a platform for researchers from all over the world to share the latest developments in this exciting field. It is also our privilege to have many distinguished scientists, who have made invaluable contributions to nanotechnology, as our speakers at this conference. Moving forward, this conference will be held on a bi-annual basis, and we look forward to a successful conference this year," said Professor Jackie Y. Ying.

"At a time when this field is continuing to provoke huge interest, discussion, and serious research output, the opportunities for publishers have never been more exciting. Nano Today is a serious reviews and opinions publication, publishing world class content as rapidly as possible. Elsevier is delighted that Professor Jackie Y. Ying brought the first Nano Today conference here to Singapore, at the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute," said Deborah Logan, Executive Publisher, Nano Today.

The first Plenary Lecture (August 3, 9:45am to 10:30am) titled "Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: The Key to New Studies in Other Areas of Science and Technology" will be delivered by Professor Herbert Gleiter from the Institute of Nanotechnology Research Center Karlsruhe, Germany. Professor Gleiter pioneered a new field of materials science research by generating well-defined, uniform nanocrystals using a novel vapor phase synthesis approach. This has made possible major advances in nanostructured materials. His talk will focus on the emergence and diversity of nanoscience and nanotechnology that enables new scientific discoveries, and opens the way to novel applications in scientific areas such as cancer research, molecular biology, astronomy and new materials. In honour of his achievements and leadership, the first Nano Today Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in the field, will also be awarded to Professor Gleiter at the Conference Dinner on August 4.

The second Plenary Lecture (August 4. 9:30am to 10:15am) on "Graphene, The New Nanocarbon" will be presented by Professor C. N. R. Rao from the Jawaharalal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, India. Professor Rao is one of the world's foremost solid state and materials chemists. He was one of the earliest to synthesize two-dimensional oxide materials such as La2CuO4. He is the author of over 1,400 research papers and 41 books. His talk will focus on the unique and noteworthy properties of graphene, a fascinating new nanocarbon possessing single or multiple layers of carbon atoms forming six-membered rings.

The third Plenary Lecture (August 5, 9:30am to 10:15am) on "Proteins That Nature Never Made" will be presented by Professor David A. Tirrell from California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA. Professor Tirrell is a pioneer in genetically engineered polymers. He is the Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor and Chair of the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Caltech. His talk will focus on bridging the gap between polymers and proteins by using artificial genes to direct the synthesis of artificial proteins in bacterial cells, and to combine the physical and informational properties of macromolecules.

The conference also features an impressive line-up of 30 invited speakers from leading institutions around the world, including Brandeis University, Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, IBM, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Jilin University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, National Taiwan University, Rutgers University, Sandia National Laboratories, Seoul National University, University of Aarhus, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Melbourne, University of Pennsylvania, University of Queensland, University of Rochester, University of Washington, and US Naval Research Laboratory.

To inspire and engage young researchers, 28 students from 18 countries have been granted the Nano Today 2009 Student Travel Awards to present their research results at the conference. The award recipients were selected from over 170 applications, and they received travel funding along with a waiver of the conference registration fee. The international exposure and opportunity to confer with leading nanoscience researchers will be an invaluable experience for these budding scientists.

Please refer to Appendix for the list of conference topics and abstracts of the 3 plenary lectures.

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About Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) was established in 2003 as a national research institute under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, by Executive Director, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying. Prof. Ying was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992–2005). In 2008, Professor Ying was recognized as one of "One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era" by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for her groundbreaking work on nanostructured systems, nanoporous materials and host matrices for quantum dots and wires. Under her direction, IBN conducts research at the cutting-edge of bioengineering and nanotechnology. IBN’s research programs are geared towards linking multiple disciplines across engineering, science and medicine to produce research breakthroughs that will improve healthcare and our quality of life.

IBN's research activities are focused in the following areas:

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Drug and Gene Delivery, where the controlled release of therapeutics involve the use of functionalized polymers, hydrogels and biologics for targeting diseased cells and organs, and for responding to specific biological stimuli.
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Cell and Tissue Engineering, where biomimicking materials, stem cell technology, microfluidic systems and bioimaging tools are combined to develop novel approaches to regenerative medicine and artificial organs.
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Biosensors and Biodevices, which involve nanotechnology and microfabricated platforms for high-throughput biomarkers screening, automated biologics synthesis, and rapid disease diagnosis.
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Pharmaceuticals Synthesis and Nanobiotechnology, which encompasses the efficient catalytic synthesis of chiral pharmaceuticals, and new nanocomposite materials for sustainable technology and alternative energy generation.

IBN's innovative research is aimed at creating new knowledge and intellectual properties in the emerging fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology to attract top-notch researchers and business partners to Singapore. Since 2003, IBN researchers have published a total of 502 papers. IBN also plays an active role in technology transfer and spinning off companies, linking the research institute and industrial partners to other global institutions. As of June 2009, IBN has filed 714 patent applications on its inventions and the Institute is currently looking for partners for collaboration and commercialization of its portfolio of technologies. IBN's current staff strength stands at ~ 180 scientists, engineers and medical doctors. With its multinational and multidisciplinary research staff, the institute is geared towards generating new biomaterials, devices, systems, equipment and processes to boost Singapore’s economy in the fast-growing biomedical sector.

IBN is also committed to nurturing young minds, and the institute acts as a training ground for PhD students and undergraduates. In October 2003, IBN initiated a Youth Research Program to open its doors to university students, as well as students and teachers from various secondary schools and junior colleges. It has since reached out to more than 31,075 students and teachers from 205 local and overseas schools and institutions.

For more information, please log on to www.ibn.a-star.edu.sg

About Nano Today

Nano Today: An International Rapid Reviews Journal provides a peer-reviewed forum for the publication of authoritative review articles, rapid communications, news and opinions to shape and define the frontiers of nanoscience and nanotechnology through their multidisciplinary applications. Nano Today publishes six print issues per year covering all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nano Today is covered by Thompson Reuters Journal Citation Reports for 2007 with an impact factor of 8.795. For more information, please log on to www.nanotoday.com.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is the world's leading publisher of science and health information, serving more than 30 million scientists, students, and health and information professionals worldwide. Elsevier publishes trusted, leading-edge Scientific, Technical and Medical (STM) information - comprising 2,000 journals and19,000 books, as well as other products - pushing the frontiers and fueling a continuous cycle of exploration, discovery and application. Find out more from www.elsevier.com.