Statewide Conference on Nanotech to Feature Lessons from ATDF Training

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The core lessons of a two-year educational program that has trained scores of Texas students for emerging technology careers will be offered at Texas’ Nano Future Statewide Conference on Nanotechnology, Aug. 6-9 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown.

“The conference will reflect this diversity with subjects ranging from the properties of nanomaterials, to industry tools and processes, to consumer products based on nanotechnology.”

The conference, aimed at educators, economic developers, and interested members of the public, will include lectures, workshops and panel discussions on the role and impact of nanotechnology on education and economic growth in Texas. Sponsors include SEMATECH, its subsidiary R&D foundry, ATDF, and Austin Community College (ACC).

“Nanotechnology is certainly more than a buzzword these days – it’s a broad field encompassing many disciplines and areas of research and application,” said Peter Marrone, special projects manager for SEMATECH External Programs. “The conference will reflect this diversity with subjects ranging from the properties of nanomaterials, to industry tools and processes, to consumer products based on nanotechnology.”

Conference sessions will include material developed for the education modules of the Nanoelectronic Workforce Development Initiative (NWDI), a community program launched in 2006 to provide training in nanotech R&D with hands-on internships at ATDF. The program, funded with a state grant and jointly administered by ACC and SEMATECH, has placed 142 students or NanoScholars – many of whom have found jobs in the oil, semiconductor and biotechnology industries.

Conference sessions also will offer:

• Presentations by distinguished speakers from Texas universities, business, and research organizations
• Hands-on demonstrations of tools used in nanotechnology
• Tours of local research facilities and companies involved in nanotechnology
• Educational materials for use in classroom and community education

The conference additionally will include observations from SEMATECH External Programs Director Randy Goodall, who will participate in a panel discussion on nano-related economic development in Texas and will deliver closing remarks. Also, ATDF General Manager Dave Anderson will speak at an evening reception on Aug. 7.

The conference is free to educators and government employees, with a $100 cost for others. Interested persons can register at http://www.sematech.org/meetings/announcements/8196/.