Sustainable Use of Nanomaterials for Novel Engineering Solutions
New York, USA
The economies of industrial nations can generally be described as knowledge-based and a highly valuable asset is investment in intangible, human and social capital. Economic growth however still relies on added value based on manufacturing processes in engineering and on the use of enabling technologies that emerge from curiosity-driven research and from development focused on long-term goals.
At the same time, many industrial nations lack natural resources like raw materials, readily available energy sources and other natural assets that are vital for new, innovative products that are competitive on a global market. During the past decade this has had a serious impact on the cost of production processes and is now regarded as one of the major uncertainties for future economic growth. Today's challenge therefore lies in a thoughtful use of resources to lay the foundations for sustainable growth.
In this context, the role of nanoscale science is widely regarded as pivotal. In recent years nanomaterials attracted unprecedented attention in materials research and reached a maturity that already enabled industry to engage in high volume production. Nanomaterials can provide unique opportunities to drive innovation. The necessary convergence of nanoscale science with manufacturing processes in engineering calls for an interdisciplinary approach and a new look at innovation processes and life cycle assessment.
This DFG-NSF Research Conference is the fifth in a series of research conferences jointly supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) which aim to strengthen the research ties between the US and Germany. It is focused on the topic of nanomaterials-based engineering solutions. It is intended to be the starting point for joint research activities between German and US researchers from academia, industry and national laboratories in the major fields of nanomaterials and production engineering in research and development as well as experts in geological resources, design and production planning. The conference aims at a strong cross-disciplinary approach by taking into account the availability of materials resources and new design opportunities as well as other concepts inherent to the use of nanomaterials and their development for engineering solutions.
The conference is organized in four consecutive sessions, covering the following topical areas:
• Session 1 (focus on natural sciences): Physics and Chemistry of Nanomaterials: Opportunities for Novel Engineering Solutions
• Session 2 (cross-disciplinary): Production Engineering on the Nanoscale: Requirements for High Volume Production
• Session 3 (focus on engineering sciences): Sustainable Use of Nanomaterials: From the Availability of Natural Resources to Recycling Challenges
• Session 4 (cross-disciplinary): Nanomaterials-based Innovation Processes: New Design Strategies for Products and Devices
The overall objective of the conference will be to explore the advances in the research communities involved with regard to these topics, and to bring the communities together across disciplinary boundaries. Participants are expected to have a genuine interest in cross-disciplinary interaction and to take part with the aim of setting up collaborative research projects. The conference will allow for both, focused scientific discussions and networking between the participants. The funding agencies will consult the participants in terms of appropriate coordinated funding schemes. Proposals for collaborative projects consistent with the thematic scope are envisaged and stimulated.