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As of this writing, it looks like the House and Senate have agreed to a $789 billion economic stimulus package, one of the largest expenditures in our nation's history. I'm sure we all hope that this spending will help jump-start the economy and end the recession sooner.
With economic news dominating the media these days, I started thinking how research and technology can help solve our nation's current ills. In the last edition of this newsletter, I mentioned how new research in nanotechnology can help solve the nation's energy problems. Nanotechnology companies here in Pittsburgh such as Plextronics (Organic Solar cells) and Crystalplex (Energy efficient LED lighting) will be big players in the energy field.
Examples of the potential impact of new research on energy savings are mind-boggling. I just recently read an interesting statistic. If we replaced only half the lighting in the nation with new energy efficient LED's, the annual savings would be 4X1011 kilowatt-hours, the equivalent annual output of 50 nuclear reactors. Recently, a February 11
Pittsburgh Post Gazette article noted that City Council is considering a plan to replace all of the city lighting with LED lighting. Whatever the merits of the plan, it shows how Pittsburgh is showing leadership in energy conservation using new technologies.
The federal stimulus bill allocates $150 billion for infrastructure improvements. Once again, new developments in nanotechnology research can introduce new ideas on how that investment can be better utilized. Some examples are stronger, lighter weight steel from US Steel through control of the grain size at the nanoscale. Molecular engineering and control of nano-particle additives produce higher strength, enhanced durability concrete. New nano-base coatings (PPG) offer lower maintenance and graffiti resistant surfaces for public buildings. Once again, Pittsburgh companies will be leading the charge.
So in retrospect, the nation has committed to a stimulus investment for our economy. It is hoped that we utilize that investment by leveraging emerging technologies, some from Pennsylvania universities and companies, to achieve a higher and longer lasting impact for our society.
Alan Brown, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center
Pittsburgh, PA
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Industry-University Nanotechnology Product Innovation Workshops Update
Thank you to all those who participated in the 2008 Fall and Winter Nano Commercialization Workshops at the University of Pittsburgh and The Pennsylvania State University.
The Workshops brought approximately 100 people together to exchange their creative ideas and helped initiate new partnerships. We consider the first series of Nano Commercialization Workshops to be a success!
We'd like to also thank the University of Pittsburgh and The Pennsylvania State University for being such great hosts. Please stay tuned for information as we schedule future workshops!
University of Pittsburgh Events:
Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering Seminars:
| Speaker: |
Professor Brian Korgel
Department of Chemical Engineering,
University of Texas, Austin
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| Title: |
Semiconductor Nanowires and Nanocrystals for Transistor and
Photovoltaic Applications |
| Time/Date: |
12:00 noon, Friday, March 13, 2009
(refreshments at 12:00noon - 12:15pm) |
| Place: |
Kresge Conference Center, 1175 Benedum Hall |
| Please click here for more information |
| Speaker: |
Professor Angel Rubio
Nano-Bio Spectroscopy Group and European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility, Universidad del Pais Vasco, San Sebastian, Spain |
| Title: |
Boron Nitride and Graphene Nanostructures: Properties and Applications |
| Time/Date: |
12:00 noon, Tuesday, March 17, 2009 (refreshments at 12:00noon - 12:15pm) |
| Place: |
Kresge Conference Center, 1175 Benedum Hall |
| Please click here for more information |
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