SCSU Now

Nanotechnology workshop

Thursday, February 9, 2012

David C. Bell, founder and CEO of Phygen Coatings, Inc., is among the presenters at the Nanotechnology and Industry Workshop Feb. 23 in Atwood Ballroom.

Researchers and business leaders will explore economic development opportunities for nanotechnology Feb. 23 in the Atwood Memorial Center Ballroom.

The Nanotechnology and Industry Workshop is sponsored by the College of Science and Engineering.

• View the event poster (PDF)
• View the schedule

The workshop will focus on the importance of nanoscale science and ways materials can be manipulated at the molecular level.

Nanotechnology allows engineers and researchers to dictate a material’s hardness, weight and durability and allows customization of materials according to their intended usage.

The workshop will highlight industries in the region that are utilizing nanotech and advanced materials. It also will introduce nanotechnology and advanced materials to business leaders not aware of nanotechnology's potential.

Attendees can network with industry members and academics, sharing ideas and opening up collaboration oppoprtunities.

Featured presenters include speakers from companies that are using nanotechnology, as well as St. Cloud State faculty and students who will present research.

St. Cloud State students and employees who wish to attend should contact Russ Lidberg, assistant professor of chemistry and physics, at rllidberg@stcloudstate.edu. Non-university people can register online.

Register by Feb. 16 to receive the early-bird rate. Registration closes Feb. 22. A confirmation letter and map will be emailed following successful registration.

Presenters include:

David C. Bell has more than 25 years of worldwide experience in leading and managing the development of new technologies and products and bringing them successfully to market. The founder and CEO of Phygen Coatings, Inc., Bell has developed, patented and marketed new proprietary industrial superhard surface coatings. He has also been active with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Special American Internship Program.

Deb Newberry is a researcher, executive, author and the director of the Nanoscience Technology program at Dakota County Technical College. She also serves as the director of the Midwest Regional Center for Nanotechnology Education, better known as Nano-Link, which is funded by a $3 million National Science Foundation grant. Recently named to the NanoProfessor Nanoscience Education Advisory Board, she serves on the 18-member advisory commission for the Minnesota Science & Technology Authority and belongs to several other professional organizations. Newberry coauthored "The Next Big Thing is Really Small," a bestselling book on nanotechnology. She is a member of the editorial board of the "Journal of Nano Education." She holds a master’s in nuclear physics with minors in chemical and mechanical engineering.

Dan Malstrom is president of Alexandria-based laboratory automation company Douglas Scientific. Following a sales career at IBM, Malstrom spent 12 years as a senior executive at Great Plains Software, eventually completing a successful public stock offering and sale to Microsoft. Malmstrom has founded several high tech companies that have earned critical acclaim.

St. Cloud State faculty presenting include Dr. Ahmet Sezen, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Dept., Dr. Kannan Sivaprakasam, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics, Russ Lidberg, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics and Dr. Gary Bohannan, Dept. of Chemistry and Physics.

Parking is free on streets adjacent to campus and a dollar per hour in the 4th Avenue Parking Ramp.

The workshop is made possible by support from the Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association, Central Minnesota Manufacturing Association, MN Nano and the Minnesota High Tech Association.

- A. Kotval

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