Media Advisory 08-013
Talk to the Experts About Nanotechnology R&D in Boston, Friday, Feb. 15

Experts discuss nano's impacts on medicine and energy

February 13, 2008

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, Arlington, Va., the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, N.Y., and the National Science Foundation, Arlington, Va., invite media and members of the public to a roundtable on nanoenergy and nanomedicine on Feb. 15 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, Mass.

Four of America's foremost experts will offer a wide-ranging discussion and answer media questions about nano's impact on energy security and production and about taking nano-based alternative energy applications such as Power Plastic® from the lab to the marketplace. They also will discuss using the technology to more effectively deliver drugs to diabetics and cancer patients, as well as the role of the federal government in nanotechnology research.

Participants: Dr. Robert Langer, institute professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and winner of the 2006 United States National Medal of Science, will discuss nanotechnology in medicine, including safety, targeting drugs to tumors, and delivery of genetic medicine nanoscale science and technology and new medical treatments. Some of Langer's research is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Emilio Mendez, director of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials at the Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, will discuss the impact nanoscale science and technology can have on energy security and production, transmission, use and efficiency.

Rick Hess, president and chief executive officer of Konarka Technologies Inc., will discuss the opportunities and challenges Konarka faces as a business taking nanoscale science and technology from the laboratory to an emerging, competitive marketplace.

Dr. Altaf (Tof) Carim from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science will discuss the role of the federal government in nanotechnology research. Carim is co-chair of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council.

Background: The federal government's nanotechnology research programs fall under the National Nanotechnology Initiative. Coordination of research in the field takes place through the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council. The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office supports the interagency coordination activities of the NSET. For more information visit, http://www.nano.gov/

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Bobbie Mixon, NSF (703) 292-8485 bmixon@nsf.gov
Audrey Haar, NNCO 443-257-8878 ahaar@nnco.nano.gov
John Carter, DOE, Brookhaven National Laboratory 631-344-5195 jcarter@bnl.gov

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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