The NanoBusiness Alliance
today announced the continuation of its NanoBusiness Talent program, which connects
future scientists and high-tech companies by arranging summer internships for
local high school students at Chicago-area nanotechnology companies with a grant
from the Department of Energy. In its pilot program last year, students developed
their scientific acumen while working closely with scientists and entrepreneurs,
who are pioneering the field of nanotechnology in medical diagnostics, materials
design, and subsurface imaging.
Nanotechnology is an emerging field that leverages the unique properties of
materials in the atomic or molecular size scale (1-100 nm range). This field
is expected to revolutionize disease diagnostics and therapeutics, energy creation,
computing and electronics.
In the first year of the program, the students spent nine weeks at Nanosphere,
Inc. (Northbrook, IL), NanoInk, Inc. (Skokie, IL), and Questek (Evanston, IL).
Michelle Ran (Stevenson High School) helped validate a diagnostic test for influenza
and respiratory syncytial viruses using nanoparticle probes. Ben Wilcox (New
Trier High School) developed a procedure for others to use a nanolithographic
instrument. Nick Wieczorek (Highland Park High School) probed the atomic composition
of precipitates in a novel alloy.
“This was my first exposure to the nanotechnology industry, and I was
amazed at how much I had learned by the end of the program,” said Andy
Schneider, who participated in the program after graduation from Evanston Township
High School in June 2008. “Nanotechnology is a particularly relevant field
right now, and it was fun to be a part of such a dynamic, innovative environment.”
Ben Wilcox (New Trier High School 2008) agreed: “TALENT is an incredible
opportunity to learn about business and cutting-edge science.”
After last year’s success, two new companies will join the NanoBusiness
Alliance’s 2009 program. Nanotope of Skokie, IL is developing injectable
nanomaterials to regenerate specific tissues in injured people. Advanced Diamond
Technologies, Inc. of Romeoville, IL creates thin films of diamond for a variety
of applications from preventing blood clotting in heart pumps to lowering the
wear and friction of parts in industrial settings. This year’s students
will also participate in a one-week nanotechnology camp in June at the Center
for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory where students will learn
from some of the premier researchers in the country. They’ll get hands-on
experience with the multimillion-dollar instruments used in nanoscience such
as atomic force microscopy, e-beam lithography, scanning electron microscopy.
Students will learn about nanotechnology’s applications in medicine, energy,
materials, and electronics. To apply to the 2009 summer program, visit http://www.nanobusinesstalent.org
and follow the application instructions by April 10, 2009.
The NanoBusiness Alliance is the voice of the nation's nanotechnology business
community. As a not-for-profit association dedicated to promoting the commercialization
of nanotechnology and helping companies bring affordable, life-improving nanotechnology
products to market, the Alliance actively represents its members in Washington
DC in order to create a positive policy climate for nanotechnology; on Wall
Street to focus attention of the global financial community to this high-potential
sector; and through regular NanoBusiness conferences, speaking engagements,
and membership communications. The NanoBusiness Alliance helps national political
leaders understand the implications of nanotechnology in the economy, employment,
energy, the environment, and human health and safety. It connects emerging nanotechnology
companies with investors and economic development organizations that can help
those companies grow and develop. The Alliance is based in Chicago, with offices
in Washington DC, New York, Connecticut, and Colorado. For more information,
please visit http://www.nanobusiness.org
and http://www.nanobusinesstalent.org.