Young researchers in the fields of nanoscience and clean energy will have the opportunity to connect with peers from France when UC Berkeley hosts a three-day symposium beginning March 20.
Sponsored by the Consulate General of France to foster long-term ties between researchers in Europe and the United States to tackle global energy challenges, the 2012 Young Engineers and Scientists Symposium aims to develop concrete transatlantic research and industrial collaborations, particularly in the Bay Area, which is renowned as the cradle of clean technology.
“The key to very large-scale deployment of sustainable energy solutions is going to involve breakthroughs in nanoscience technologies,” says Berkeley’s Vice Chancellor for Research Graham Fleming, who will accompany Consul General of France Romain Serman and Paul Alivisatos, director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in delivering the symposium’s opening address.
“Energizing the next generation of scientists and engineers to create these breakthroughs is the primary goal of this event,” Fleming adds.
The symposium, which takes place at the David Brower Center in downtown Berkeley, brings together doctoral and post-doctoral researchers with senior scientists and engineers to discuss potential applications for nanotechnology across the areas of energy use, storage and production.
A series of panel discussions and technical sessions will focus on topics such as next-generation biofuels, new materials, heat recovery and carbon capture. The event will also showcase recent advances and commercial successes at the intersection of nanoscience, technology and energy.
– Alberto Pimpinelli, science and technology attaché.