Nanotechnology Conferences

An important realization occurred several years ago – matter behaves much differently in the domain of one to several atoms or molecules than it does in bulk. This means exciting new properties can be realized if structures can be grown and controlled at the nanoscale dimension.

This realization signified the birth of nanoscience and engineering as a discipline. Recently, the National Academies of Science identified nanoscience as the key to unlocking many of humanity’s most intractable problems, and this area will undoubtedly serve as the driver for economic opportunity in the next decade and beyond.

The state of Arkansas already has significant expertise in the area at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Nanoscience is critical to the future of economic development in Arkansas, and it is an area in which we would like to be recognized as a center of excellence. The expertise already present in the state, combined with our facilities at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, provides us with an opportunity to showcase Arkansas’ talent through conferences similar to the Gordon Research Conferences.

KTHV Channel 11, CBS network affiliate in Little Rock, captured the second annual conference, held January 6-9, 2010:

The Model

The Gordon Research Conferences (GRC) were created over 30 years ago as a means to foster dramatic advancements in areas of science and technology that prominently benefit society. This goal is achieved through the dissemination of knowledge among internationally recognized experts in an area. The conferences are recognized as the source of state-of-the-art information on a given topic. Among scientists worldwide, the term Gordon Research Conference carries with it a special meaning of prestige and recognition.

The Opportunity

Our nanotechnology conferences will involve nanoscience and engineering, areas of importance for the economic development in Arkansas and across the nation. It is hoped that these conferences will expose others to the state of Arkansas and the vast intellectual resources available at UALR and the University of Arkansas in the area of nanoscience. The GRC Board has been contacted about formally recognizing a conference at the Rockefeller Institute as a GRC, assuring success of the conference far into the future.

The Results

Leading researchers across the state and nation gathered at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in January 2009 for the first nanotechnology conference sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute. The Nanotechnology for Health Care Conference explored the role of nanomaterials in faster, better drug delivery; in diagnosing and attacking cancer; combating heart disease; and mending broken bones. Two nanotechnology and health care conferences have been funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute so far. The second was held in January 2010. The plan is to develop yearly, self-sustaining nanotechnology research conferences hosted at the Rockefeller Institute.

One goal of these conferences is to establish an organized team that takes advantage of talent and tools within the state and develop a strategy that would enable the team to compete for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center of national significance, thus placing Arkansas at the forefront of nanotechnology research in health care.

Click here for a report from Greg Salamo, Director of the Arkansas Institute for Nanoscale Material Science and Engineering, about Arkansas’ first Nanotechnology and Health Care Conference on January 7-10, 2009.


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