Smalley Institute Initiatives
Nanotechnology TechnicalNanotechnology Education
Nanotechnology Public Awareness
Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship
Promoting Nanotechnology in Texas
Partnering with Industry
Nanotechnology Technical Programming
Distinguished Seminar Series
The Smalley
Institute brings a distinguished lecturer to Rice University every other year. What differentiates these seminars from
others is that the lecturer is further along in his or her career and speaks not only about scientific
interests but also provides insight into his or her long and illustrious career.
2006 – Walter Kohn – Theory of Van der Waals Interactions in the Spirit of Maxwell's Equations
2004 – Richard
E. Smalley – Buckytubes-
From Discovery to Production: The Story of Launching Carbon Nanotechnologies,
Inc.
2002 – Edwin L.
Thomas – Nanotechnology for the Soldier
and Polymer Photonics: Or Why a Scientist Would Ever Want to Direct a Really
Big Research Center
Seminar Series 2012
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The Smalley
Institute – in conjunction with Rice University’s academic departments – hosts
a series of scientific lectures throughout the year. Please visit our events calendar to see the
upcoming seminars.
Conferences
Nano Science and Technology
Institute – Nanotech 2009
The Smalley Institute works with the NSTI to deliver
the Nanotech 2009 Conference and Trade Show.
Nanotech 2009 promotes advanced research insight and best practices,
matches buyers and sellers, showcases the latest tools and equipment, enables
strategic partnerships, and proves intellectual property licensing, venture
capital, corporate financing, and custom acquisition opportunities.
2009Nanotechnology for Defense Conference
2008
Nanomaterials for Defense Conference
2007
Nanomaterials for Defense Applications Symposium
2006
Nanomaterials for Defense Applications
NASA/Rice Nucleation and Growth Workshop
The workshop is
hosted every other year by the Smalley Institute and NASA. The next workshop is scheduled for April
2009. The purpose of the workshop is to
develop a better understanding of SWCNT nucleation and growth mechanism. The workshop brings together world experts to
present experiments, theories, and modeling efforts focused on all aspects of
SWCNT nucleation, growth, and production.
IEEE Nano 2008
This premier nanotechnology conference brings together scientists,
academics, and practicing engineers from all over the world to engage in this
international forum to promote, share, and discuss the various issues,
developments, and successes in the rapidly expanding fields of nanotechnology. The Smalley Institute’s Jack Agee, Director
of CONTACT, chaired the Defense/Medical/Commercial Applications Section.
Nanotechnology
in Upstream E&P: Nano-Scale Revolutions to Mega-Scale Challenges
conference in Dubai (photos)
To date, there
seems to be a mutual lack of awareness between the E&P sector in the oil
and gas industry and the nanotechnology community. While the E&P sector may
be uninformed of the full and hidden potentials of nanotechnology, there is a
corresponding under appreciation of the E&P challenges among
nanotechnologists. This Applied Technology Workshop will provide a golden
opportunity for participants from both fields to share their expert knowledge
and promote means for future collaboration.
Best Little Nano Conference in Texas
In 2007, the
Smalley Institute co-sponsored the Best Little Nano Conference in Texas in conjunction
with The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas. The conference brought together the state's
top achievers in medicine, engineering and science to increase awareness and
communication about research priorities for the future.
Presidential Symposia on Nanotechnology through American Chemical
Society
At the Fall 2006
meeting of the American Chemical Society, the Smalley Institute sponsored a
3-day symposium devoted to the research and application of nanoscale science
and technology and a memorial tribute to Professor Richard E. Smalley.
Nanotechnology
& Energy Forum through the Baker Institute for Public Policy
In collaboration with the Baker Institute for Public
Policy, the Smalley Institute has provided several forums to discuss the impact
of nanotechnology on the world’s energy future.
Nanotechnology Education
NanoKids through Professor James
Tour’s laboratoryThe NanoKids™
educational outreach program, headed by Dr. James M. Tour, Chao Professor of
Chemistry at Rice
University, is dedicated
to increasing public knowledge of the nanoscale world and the emerging
molecular research and technology that is rapidly expanding internationally.
Based on actual anthropomorphic molecules synthesized in the laboratory, the
NanoKids™ visual concept utilizes universally recognized forms exhibiting human
characteristics to instruct, motivate, and entertain.
CBEN
Summer Academy for High School Students
The program is a
two-week Science Academy for 9th/10th grade students
involving active outdoor field work and hands-on laboratory testing. A structured science fair workshop teaches
students how to construct and test a hypothesis in nanotechnology and
environmental science. Mary McHale, a
chemistry lecturer and water quality expert, teaches students how to analyze
local water samples from various sources for impurities
Nanotechnology for
Teachers
The Center for
Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) at Rice University
is offering a spring course on Nanotechnology for Introductory Chemistry and
Physics Teachers. The program is designed for high school science teachers,
although middle school teachers are welcome, nanotechnology is an
interdisciplinary field that encompasses physics, chemistry, biology and
environmental sciences.
Nanotechnology Research
Experience for Undergraduates
Involving
students in discovery-based scientific inquiry is the primary objective of our
Nanotechnology Research Experience for Undergraduates (NREU) program, offered
for the first time in the summer of 2003. This program is modeled after
an existing REU program offered by the Rice Quantum Institute, in which
undergraduates work on independent research projects in a Rice lab for 10 weeks
and present their work at a conference held at the end of the summer. It is
possible for advanced high school students from the Academy or MSL teacher's classes
to participate in this program. Professional
Master of Science in Nanoscale Physics The Nanoscale Physics program prepares students
for a career in nanoscience by combining a strong component in quantum theory,
which governs the behavior of systems at the nanoscale, with the study of
practical nano- and mesoscale devices. This provides the student with the
knowledge required to successfully navigate the emerging field of
nanoscale science and nanotechnology. In addition, a year-long course in
methods of experimental physics is offered to ensure that students obtain the
advanced practical skills valuable to the nanotechnology industry.
NanoJapan through Professor Junichiro
Kono
As the fields of science and engineering become
increasingly international there is a pressing need for the development of
research and education programs to produce globally aware scientists and
engineers. The NanoJapan Program was
developed to address this need b attracting young undergraduates to the
emerging areas of electrical engineering and the physical sciences, especially
the study of nanotechnology. By
involving and training studying in cutting-edge research projects in nanoscale
science and engineering this program aims to increase the numbers of US
students who choose to pursue graduate study in this field while also
cultivating a generation of globally aware engineers and scientists.
Nanotechnology Public Awareness
NanoArt Contest
(photos)
The Smalley
Institute and nanoTox® support the atmosphere of discovery and
wonder that Rice research represents through the NanoArt Contest. The goals of the contest are to have Fun and
to promote the public’s acceptance of and interest in nanotechnology: most people who are new to the topic really
start to “get it” when they see compelling pictures.
The Children’s Museum of Houston – The Matter Factory
The Matter Factory exhibit came to the Children’s Museum
of Houston in 2007. In The Matter Factory visitors
can test the invisible properties of matter discovering the density, viscosity
and elasticity of different materials. They also will interact with what
scientists call “smart” materials, materials that have properties that can be
dramatically changed.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
With the assistance of the Smalley Institute, the
Houston Museum of Natural Science has a section devoted to nanotechnology. The displays include a presentation by
Professor Smalley and a section of the World’s Longest Nanotube Model. Additionally in conjunction with the Rice
Space Institute, the Museum of Natural Science has portableplanetariums which have offered two nanotechnology programs – NanoCosm and Elevator to Space.
The Health Museum of Houston
In 2006, The
Health Museum of Houston hosted an exhibit called “It’s a Nano World.” The Smalley Institute sponsored the
kick-off reception at the museum.
NanoFANS
In March
2003 the Smalley Institute developed a new affiliates program called
NanoFANS (Friends Advancing Nano Science/Technology). NanoFANS is
designed to keep those individuals or corporations that are interested in
nanotechnology at the forefront of information.
All NanoFANS members will receive a membership card, advance notice of
seminars, scientific meetings, and Smalley Institute events.
Upper-level members get additional benefits such as free parking at events
and the opportunity to sponsor events.
Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship
MIT Enterprise Forum of TexasIn collaboration with the MIT Enterprise Forum of
Texas, the Smalley Institute has hosted entrepreneurship-focused seminars given
by Angela Belcher, Matt Simmons, Richard E. Smalley, and Edwin Thomas.
NanotechnologyVenture Forum through Rice Alliance
for Technology and Entrepreneurship – February 12, 2009
The Annual Nanotechnology Venture Forum, the premier
conference to learn about commercial applications of nanotechnology, is
co-hosted by the Smalley Institute. The
forum showcases nearly twenty of the most promising nanotechnology start-up
companies. Speakers will include leading
venture capitalists, investors, and the world's foremost experts in
nanotechnology research and commercialization. Attendees will learn how
nanotechnology will change our lives and shape the future of business.
TunaFest (2008 photos)
TunaFest began
in 2002 as a small gathering faculty and students about 200 people total. We met in the middle of the summer to relax
and eat the tuna Wade Adams caught
on a recent deep-sea fishing trip. Since
then, TunaFest has become an annual tradition for the Smalley Institute with
over 1350 attendees in 2008. The
TunaFest has evolved over the years to include nanotechnology researchers from
several academic institutions, industrial partners from around Houston,
and nanotechnology enthusiasts from across the US.
TunaFest is the largest annual nanotechnology event in Houston.
COnsortium
for NanomaTerials for Aerospace Commerce and Technology (CONTACT)
CONTACT
endeavors to make the US and Texas unequalled in producing competitive products
emerging from nanoscience in aerospace and commerce by fostering
nanotechnology-based education and research and through partnerships with the
US Air Force Research Laboratory, the University of Houston, and institutions
within the University of Texas system.
The Strategic Partnership for Research in Nanotechnology (SPRING) was
the precursor to CONTACT.
Texas Alliance for Nanotechnology
The Texas Alliance for Nanotechnology (TxAN) is a
broad alliance of organizations that strongly support advancing Texas’ ability to
research, develop and commercialize nanotechnology. Research areas such as
nanoelectronics, nanomaterials, nanostructures, and nanomedicine will be
critical to our quality of life and our state’s prosperity as the 21st century
unfolds, but the competition for leadership in these job-producing fields is
intense and global. For that reason, TxAN is committed to ensuring that Texas emerges a winner
in the race for the research funding, R&D facilities, and industries driven
by nanotechnology.
Alliance for NanoHealth
The Alliance for NanoHealth (ANH) bridges the
disciplines of medicine, biology, materials science, computer technology, and
public policy to develop nanotechnology-based solutions to unresolved problems
in medicine.
Partnering with Industry
Advanced Energy Consortium (AEC)
AEC facilitates pre-competitive research in micro-
and nanotechnology materials and sensors that have the potential to create a
positive and disruptive change in the recovery of petroleum and gas from new
and existing reservoirs.
Lockheed Martin Advanced
Nanotechnology Center of Excellence at Rice University (LANCER)
LANCER offers a unique
nanotechnology research program to explore new technologies for materials,
electronics, energy, security, and defense combining Rice University’s
expertise in carbon nanotechnology, photonics, plasmonics and other nanoscience
disciplines to address a broad range of potential nanotechnology applications.