Welcome to the podcasts from the 3rd annual Greener Nano Conference, which was held on 10-11 March 2008. This year's conference focused on cutting edge research in sustainable nanomaterials design, the latest developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and potential biological impacts of nanomaterials.
As nanotechnology advances, many questions arise regarding putative effects of nascent nanomaterials on the environment and health. How do we make the right decisions in the face of these uncertainties? Our speakers addressed these questions focusing on issues related to: nanomaterial synthesis, characterization, biological impacts and worker safety with currently available nanomaterials.
Dr. Hutchison's presentation: "Greener Nanotechnology - A Proactive Approach to Addressing EHS (environmental health and safety) Implications of Nanotechnology" provided an overview of establishing proactive design strategies for addressing EHS issues. You can hear his entire presentation as well as question/answer session and an interview with him in the podcasts.
Dr. Hurt's presentation: "New Research Approaches for Active Management of Nanotechnology Health Impacts" addressed challenges in developing these strategies for nanomaterials synthesis. His presention, Q/A and interview are presented.
Dr. Tanguay's presentation: "Harnessing the power of in vivo assessments to define nanomaterial-Biological Interactions" delves into strategies for elucidating biological impacts of nanomaterials. His presentation, Q/A and interview are presented.
We also include interviews with Dr. Paul Tratnyek on uncertainties surrounding the fate of nanomaterials in the environment and Mr. Mark McCulloch on how companies currently protect workers who use nanomaterials.
We rounded the day with "A Conversation with Dave Chen", founder of Equilibrium Capital Group and moderated by Patti Glaza from Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization. In this podcast, Dave and Patti discuss how investment groups view the uncertainties of this new technology and strategies to overcome hurdles facing start-ups.
We'd like to thank the Grassroots Learning Project and The Oregon Business Plan for interest in this conference. Podcasters interviewed speakers and recorded presentations and created the "nanocast channel" you see above. It is indeed this spirit of collaboration that makes ONAMI and Oregon an amazing place.
Bettye LS Maddux, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
ONAMI Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing Initiative
University of Oregon
MSI - 1252 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1252
bettye [at] greennano.org
T: 541.713.1330
