Mar 29 2010
The exciting world of nanotechnology will be on display at Crossgates Mall in Albany this week as the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany presents a unique "Nano in the Mall" series as part of NanoDays 2010, a nationwide effort to showcase the emerging field of nanoscale science and engineering.
The annual celebration of NanoDays, which runs from March 27 through April 4, encompasses a week of community-based educational outreach events to raise public awareness of nanotechnology.
Beginning on Monday, March 29 and continuing daily through Friday, April 2, CNSE faculty will offer educational displays, interactive exhibits and informational programming on the second floor of Crossgates Mall each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., as follows:
- Monday, March 29 - Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Professor and Head of CNSE's Nanoengineering Constellation and Director of CNSE's Energy & Environmental Technology Applications Center ("E2TAC"), offers an inside look at leading-edge research into clean and renewable energy technologies, including demonstrations featuring model-size fuel-cell cars, solar panels, and alternatively powered airplanes.
- Tuesday, March 30 - Dr. Scott Tenenbaum, CNSE Associate Head of the Nanobioscience Constellation and Associate Professor of Nanobioscience, demonstrates how researchers at CNSE are using nanotechnology to unravel the mysteries of the human genome, including new methods for studying - and ultimately preventing - the metastasis of cancer within the body.
- Wednesday, March 31 - Dr. Matthew Hynd, CNSE Assistant Professor of Nanobioscience, shares innovative nanoscale brain research that focuses on improving neural prosthetic devices, which are being used to treat Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Epilepsy and Tourette's Syndrome, among other neurological illnesses.
- Thursday, April 1 - Dr. John Elter, Empire Innovation Professor of Nanoengineering and Executive Director of CNSE's Center for Sustainable Ecosystem Nanotechnologies, discusses how nanotechnology can be used to address the world's global ecosystem challenges, including the emerging field of biomimicry, the science of emulating nature to solve human problems.
- Friday, April 2 - Dr. Sara Brenner, CNSE Assistant Vice President for NanoHealth Initiatives and Assistant Professor of Nanobioscience, discusses current and future applications of nanotechnology in medicine, using a life-sized human torso to conduct nanomedicine demonstrations and medical equipment to demonstrate current and potential applications of nanotechnology in medical practice.
"Nanotechnology has been described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative as ‘leading to the next Industrial Revolution,'" said Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and CEO of CNSE. "This unique educational outreach initiative provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about the potential of nanoscale technologies to positively impact the most critical issues of the 21st century, and to see firsthand the global leadership of the UAlbany NanoCollege in nanotechnology education, innovation, and economic development."
The activities spearheaded by CNSE are among NanoDays 2010 programs at more than 200 science museums, research centers, and universities across the country.