NNCI Nanoscience in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Research Community Virtual Workshop

April 5-6, 2023, including optional 'Office Hours with Experts'

Days begin at: 1pm Eastern Wednesday and 12pm Eastern Thursday (Duration: ~4 hours each day)

Hosted by NCI-SW, in coordination with NanoEarth (The Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure), MONT, and nano@stanford.

Workshop Overview

Nanoscience is the study of natural and artificial materials at extremely small scales where novel properties emerge. In addition to creating faster and more powerful computers, new discoveries in nanoscience research are enabling technologies that are critical to solving issues related to energy, climate, human health, and more. However, researchers in the Earth, environmental, agriculture, and water sciences, as well as related fields tend to be underrepresented in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Increased participation would lead to new solutions to important societal problems related to beneficial uses of nanomaterials in food and water systems, energy production and storage, and climate change, safer environmental health and safety industry practices as well as deeper understanding of Earth and planetary processes and environmental systems.

The virtual workshop includes presentations and Q&A with world class experts, a panel discussion on outdoor versus indoor airborne particles, and ability to sign up for "ask an expert" on how to prepare and analyze your own samples. This is an invitation to all scientists to learn more about the emerging research opportunities afforded by nanoscience and to identify the needs of conducting nanoscience in geosciences, environmental sciences, agriculture, water science, and related fields.

Workshop Goals

  • The goal of Day 1 is to introduce the audience to environmental nanoscience research using examples from water and agricultural research. There will be a panel discussion on airborne ultrafine nano-scale particles (Outdoor air pollution relative to Indoor Workplace EHS)
  • The goal of Day 2 is to discuss how sustainable nanotechnology topics, and hear about new directions in federal nanotechnology. The optional 'Office Hours with Experts' sessions on Day 2 will allow participants to sign up for 15-30 minute sessions with experts in topics of interest. Participants will be able to talk directly about their research interests and to solicit advice and feedback.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is geared towards nano-novices, but will demonstrate expert level mastery of nanotechnology characterization as applied to real-world environmental challenges. We welcome all colleagues who are nano-curious, such as:

  • Researchers who would like to share their methods and results and obtain community feedback
  • Researchers in Earth, environmental, agricultural, water, geoscience, or related fields who would like to learn more about nanoscience and how it can advance their research
  • Researchers who are looking to join information networks, initiate collaborative research or gain access to nanoscience facilities
  • Faculty, graduate students, post-docs, industry, and government-based professionals with a broad interest in nanoscience

Workshop Program and Format

This workshop will take place online, primarily through Zoom, and include a series of invited short talks and small panels to investigate the many dimensions of nanoscience in the Earth and environmental sciences. The workshop will be as interactive as possible in a virtual format. Participants will have access to our growing online resources on nanoscience in the Earth and environmental sciences; will have the opportunity to contribute ideas and resources to the workshop program and related collections; and will be encouraged to participate in continuing networked user groups to further develop nanoscience resources for use by the community. An introduction to nanoscience can be accessed at Teaching Nanoscience Across the Undergraduate STEM Curriculum.

View the Program »

Workshop Expectations

By registering for the workshop, participants agree to do the following:

  • Participate fully in the entire workshop and attend all workshop sessions during Days 1 and 2
  • Review and follow SERC's Code of Professional Conduct

Planning Workspace (limited access) »

Registration

Participation in the workshop is free, but pre-registration is required to facilitate planning for the workshop and for reporting requirements.


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