MANCEF (the Micro and Nanotechnology Commercialization Education Foundation) has been putting on some fine events this past year for those of us interested in very small things. Founded by UNM's Steve Walsh, MANCEF is a truly international organization, including many of the leaders working in advanced nano and micro research and development. By keeping its headquarters here with the National Labs, MANCEF keeps NM at the forefront of work in this area. At last night's event, they announced a reduced rate for the AIRDS event (Annual Iberoamerican Research & Development Summit) next week. (The special price is $50/day, or $150 for the 3-day event.)
Why, you might ask, is this an event that people in the media industries should be interested in? It's a reasonable question. for those of you not already interested in this area, I'll give two quick reasons:
1. One of the presentations last night was about Sandia's work with Solid State Lighting -- the LEDs that are rapidly replacing incandescent and flourescent bulbs, and reducing energy use and toxic waste in the process. Use of this technology is revolutionizing media, from the way we project and display images, to the way we transform space through active lighting applications, and on to the making of blinky bugs that get kids thinking about electricity. The National Labs and places like UNM's Center for High Tech Materials are among the leaders in this work; New Mexico, as a leader among states trying to promote renewable energy and wise energy management is a very good fit.
2. Work in the area of very small things is inherently difficult to understand -- at that scale the givens of our physical world appear to operate differently. Educating the public -- and potential investors -- about how this works requires the kind of visualization and simulation work that New Mexico is particularly good at.
The Realities of Nanotech Commercialization in 2007 - Sector by Sector
Monday 19 March 2007
11:50 am - 1:10 pm
Embassy Suites Hotel
1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, NM
Jim Hurd, Director, NanoScience Exchange will give the keynote speech over lunch at the Annual Iberoamerican Research & Development Summit (AIRDS).
What is happening in nanotechnology commercialization today - as companies start to mature in the various sectors where nanotechnology is impacting business? What are the realities happening behind the scenes? What are the leading commercial successes? We'll scan the developments in sectors such as electronics, energy, medical device, nanobio, materials and tools. Where are the exits and the financings coming from - acquisitions, IPOs and private equity? It's a historic yet unpredictable time - full of progress and full of disappointment. Tune in or fall behind!
There will be a $15.00 charge (payable at the door) to cover the costs of the lunch. Cash, Mastercard and Visa accepted.
Register online nowAnnual Iberoamerican Research and Development Summit (AIRDS)
2006 Nanoscience, Microsystems, & Materials
19-21 March, 2007
Embassy Suites Hotel
Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
The Annual Iberoamerican Research and Development Summit (AIRDS) is an international technology conference that creates opportunities for cutting edge technologists and entrepreneurs to meet with and engage large businesses, research institutions, universities, government officials and investment partners.
