I am very excited to share with you the following report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).  NanoBCA and our members were involved in contributing information for this report.

The GAO has released a report entitled Nanomanufacturing: Emergence and Implications for U.S. Competitiveness, the Environment, and Human Health (GAO-14-181SP) prepared in response to a letter of request from the Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Under the leadership of the Comptroller General of the United States and in partnership with key experts, GAO convened a strategic forum in July 2013 to explore participants’ views concerning:

(1)    the anticipated scope of future nanomanufacturing developments and related effects;
(2)    U.S. investments and competitiveness in nanotechnology R&D, as compared to other leading nations—and current challenges to U.S. competitiveness in nanomanufacturing;
(3)    options for enhancing U.S. nanomanufacturing competitiveness; and
(4)    issues in addressing the environmental, health, and safety implications of nanomanufacturing.

This report is the result of key input from expert forum participants (listed in appendix II) and was prepared by an interdisciplinary team assembled across GAO.  Our foresight methodology for this work also involved the development of expert-based, forward-looking industry profiles involving nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing activity (listed in appendix IV).  The project is also grateful for the key support provided by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council staff.

The report summary page and link to download the full report in PDF is found here:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-181SP

Related to this, we have also put together a brief podcast on the report which is posted here: http://www.gao.gov/multimedia/podcast/660285

Finally, GAO’s blog, called WatchBlog, presents an overview of the report here:
blog.gao.gov/

For any questions about or feedback on the report, please contact:

Timothy M. Persons, Ph.D.
Chief Scientist
United States Government Accountability Office
personst@gao.gov / www.gao.gov / www.twitter.com/@GAOChfScientist
(202) 512-6412

Related to the GAO’s report, Timothy has written an Op-Ed for Scientific America.  I recommend this to our NanoBCA members. The piece is found here:

Does the American Innovation System Need a Reboot?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-the-american-innovation-system-need-a-reboot/

Kudos to the GAO on their fabulous report.

Regards,

Vincent Caprio “Serving the Nanotechnology Community for Over a Decade”
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association
203-733-1949
vincent@nanobca.org
www.nanobca.org
www.vincentcaprio.org

Conference and Show to Highlight Efficient Use of Water and Sustainable Manufacturing
January 24, 2014 – Shelton, CT

The Physical and Financial Consequences of Our Failing Infrastructure
By Vincent Caprio
Our Water Counts Blog – Water Wise

The Water Innovations Alliance Foundation is proud to announce the 2014 Sustainable Manufacturer & Water 2.0 Conference May 20-22, 2014.  The conference will be held at Northern Illinois University in Naperville (Chicago), Illinois.

This three-day conference and tabletop exhibit is dedicated to answering the question, “How do I make my manufacturing operation more sustainable?” Featuring an array of high-quality educational and networking opportunities to sharpen leadership, management, and technical know-how; it will bring all the elements a manufacturer needs to know in order to adopt or enhance sustainable practices and efficient water manufacturing technologies together, in one location, at one time.

The 2014 Sustainable Manufacturer & Water 2.0 Conference will feature prominent speakers from industry, government, finance and academia. The Conference will address state-of-the-art innovative sustainable manufacturing solutions and leading-edge efficient water manufacturing processes.

The Sustainable Manufacturer & Water 2.0 Conference is designed for owners, plant managers, corporate executives, facilities & EHS managers, engineers, and all others who play a role in making their company’s processes, facilities, operation, and products more sustainable and profitable.

“The opportunity to join the Sustainable Manufacturer Conference with the Water 2.0 event was an easy decision because it delivers manufacturers a complete event to address how to run their operations more efficiently and profitably.  From demand response to intelligent industrial water usage, this event is designed to deliver manufacturing professionals a comprehensive overview of sustainable strategies and an integrated approach.  The Sustainable Manufacturer Network, a technical affiliate of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), looks forward to a great partnership with the Water Innovations Alliance Foundation,” said Ed Youdell, President & CEO of FMA.

We are currently recruiting speakers for our event.  If you are interested, then please contact Vincent Caprio vince@waterinnovationsfoundation.org or 203-733-1949.

I encourage you to become a member of the Sustainable Manufacturer Community.  You can do this by signing up for this fabulous newsletter:

Receive the Free Sustainable Manufacturer Network e-Magazine
Sign Up Now

———————————————————
WATER NEWS

Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act Introduced in the Senate
By Lynn L. Bergeson

Optimizing Water and Wastewater Operations via the Industrial Internet
By Alan Hinchman

The Physical and Financial Consequences of Our Failing Infrastructure
By Vincent Caprio

Report: Some Bay Area Communities Could Run Out Of Water Within 4 Months
SF Bay Area CBS

Got Manufacturing Flexibility?
By GE Intelligent Platforms

———————————————————
Looking forward to seeing you in the Chicago region.

Regards,
Vincent Caprio
Executive Director
Water Innovations Alliance Foundation
203-733-1949
vince@waterinnovationsfoundation.org
www.waterinnovations.org
www.vincentcaprio.org

The NanoBCA would like to recommend:

Quantum Dots Forum
March 26, 2014
Paradise Point Hotel
San Diego, CA

REGISTER TODAY

This half day event preceding Phosphor Global Summit 2014 will provide a new forum to cover market opportunities, developments in technologies, end users opportunities and challenges, innovations in applications and environmental issues all related to Quantum Dots.

This will be THE event to:
– Understand what the biggest problems, solutions, and trends are within the budding quantum dots industry

– Network with quantum dots materials and component suppliers, and with potential customers of QD products

– Figure out what problems your research group should focus on in the coming years.

What can you look forward to?
– Market research overview
– Quantum Dots Manufacturers
– Partners of Quantum Dots Manufacturers
– End users and customers
– Different applications: QLED, Detection and Biotechnology
– A panel discussion covering the environmental issues, challenges and regulations

AGENDA

9:00-11:00  Quantum Dots Tutorial (additional fee required)
– Prof. Christopher B. Murray, Richard Perry University Professor, Departments of Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

12:00  Registration

12:50  Opening Remarks by the Chair
– Seth Coe-Sullivan, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, QD VISION, Inc

1:00  Making the Quantum Leap: How Quantum Dots Can Revolutionize the Display Industry and Possibly Obsolete OLEDs
– Jed Dorsheimer, Managing Director Equity Research, Display & Lighting, Canaccord Genuity

1:30  Quantum Dots Enhancement Film
– Jeff Yurek, Product Marketing Manager, Nanosys

2:00  Quantum Dots as On-chip Downconverters in LED Applications
– Dr. Juanita Kurtin, CTO and co-founder, Pacific Light Technologies

2:30  Networking break

3:00  Commercializing Cadmium Free Quantum Dot in Display Applications
– Andrew Lee, Associate Director of Business Development, General Manager of Quantum Dot Business, Dow Electronic Materials, The Dow Chemical Company

3:30  Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diodes for Display Applications
– Dr. Paul Holloway, Chief Scientist, NanoPhotonica

4:00  Doped Quantum Dot Phosphors
– Prof. Daniel R. Gamelin, Harry and Catherine Jaynne Boand Endowed Professor in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington

4:30  Panel Discussion: Environmental and Regulatory Opportunities and Challenges around Quantum Dots
– Moderator: Seth Coe-Sullivan, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, QD VISION, Inc

Panelists:
– Kathleen Roberts, Vice President, B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C
– Jim Alwood, Chemical Control Division, EPA
– Dr. Todd Kuiken, Sr. Research Associate – Science & Technology Innovation Program, Wilson Center
– Dr. Margaret Hines, Technical Business Development Director, Nanoco Technologies Ltd

5:40  Closing Remarks from the Chair and Conclusion of Forum

Program Inquiries  Barbara Fowler  +1 207 807 5749

Registration Inquiries  Jennifer Carter  +1 207 781 9630

Marketing and Press Inquiries  Stephanie Whitman  +1 207 781 9616

—————————————-
NANO NEWS

Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Protection Act Introduced in the Senate
By Lynn L. Bergeson

—————————————-
We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging technologies to become individual members of the NanoBCA.  Click here to become a NanoBCA Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $100.

—————————————-
I encourage you to consider participating in this new event.

Regards,

Vincent Caprio “Serving the Nanotechnology Community for Over a Decade”
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association
203-733-1949
vincent@nanobca.org
www.nanobca.org
www.vincentcaprio.org

Vincent Caprio, Founder and Executive Director of the Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) has announced the WIAF’s partnership with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) to co-host the Sustainable Manufacturer and Water 2.0 Conference, May 20-22, 2014 at Northern Illinois University in Naperville (Chicago), Illinois.

“Sustainable manufacturing is critical to the evolution of manufacturing in the U.S. and around the world. The number one issue with sustainable manufacturing is the effective and efficient use of water,” says Jim Warren, Senior Director – Membership, Education, Foundation at FMA. “The Water Innovations Alliance Foundation is one of the leading water associations in the country and we look forward to working with Vincent Caprio and his team. Partnering with the WIAF gives us a foothold into that segment of the market and helps us to reach the people associated with the commercial use of water.”

“Working with the FMA allows me to vastly increase my ability to get our message of sustainable water use for manufacturing out to new people,” says WIAF Executive Director, Vincent Caprio. “There are many new emerging water innovations and this allows me to attract relevant FMA members to our new conference.  I am excited to be working with the FMA as they support dozens of conferences. This allows me to concentrate on improving the content of the event while the FMA helps with the administrative aspects of the show.”

This year the Sustainable Manufacturer & Water 2.0 Conference will hold a two-day event dedicated to answering the question, “How do I make my manufacturing operation more sustainable?”  Featuring an array of high-quality educational and networking opportunities to sharpen leadership, management, and technical know-how; it will bring together all the elements a manufacturer needs to know in order to adopt or enhance green practices. The Sustainable Manufacturer & Water 2.0 Conference is designed for owners, plant managers, corporate executives, facilities & EHS managers, engineers, and all others who play a role in making their company’s processes, facilities, operation, and products more sustainable and profitable. Participants will rethink and reenergize their dedication to ecosavvy manufacturing thanks to the dynamic presenters who will share success stories, real world challenges, and practical solutions.

The show will be located at Northern Illinois University Naperville Conference Center, 1120 E. Diehl Road in Naperville, IL on May 20-22, 2014. Questions concerning the Conference should be directed to Conference Director, Vincent Caprio at 203-733-1949 or vince@waterinnovationsfoundation.org.

About FMA
Based in Rockford, Ill., FMA is a professional organization with nearly 2,300 members working together to improve the metal fabricating and forming industry. Founded in 1970, FMA brings metal fabricators and fabricating equipment manufacturers together through technology councils, educational programs, networking events, and the FABTECH® trade show. FMA also has two technology affiliates, the Tube & Pipe Association, International (TPA), which focuses on the unique needs of companies engaged in tube and pipe producing and fabricating; and Green Manufacturer Network, a professional organization of individual members dedicated to working toward environmentally-friendly manufacturing.

About the Water Innovations Alliance Foundation
The Water Innovations Alliance Foundation is focused on educating the public and key stakeholders as to new developments in fresh and waste water technologies. The Foundation works to gather data, develop reports, standards, economic analysis, and model training programs for advancing the development and deployment of new water technologies.

The Foundation serves the entire spectrum of the water sector: corporations, investors, engineering firms, start-ups, NGOs, research centers, municipalities, and others in the field.

The Water Innovations Alliance Foundation is located in Shelton, CT and Washington, DC. It is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation was launched in spring 2009. It is undertaking a series of initiatives to advance the understanding of new opportunities, technologies, and best practices for the water field. The Foundation has a series of educational forums (STEM) to provide young adults with information in regard to career positions in engineering, math and science.

The NCMS has partnered with the National Science Foundation under the National Nanotechnology Initiative to conduct its latest study of commercialization trends in nanotechnology and nanofabrication – previous studies were performed in 2003, 2006 and 2009. The goal of this 2014 study is to document best practices in nano-product development and integration, and identify the challenges organizations (academia, government labs, start-ups or established corporations) face in transitioning nano-scale advances from the lab into sustainable commercial applications.

The 10-15 minute interactive survey may be accessed at www.usnanosurvey.org until March 15, 2014.

Due to the importance of the subject to our national interests, we want to reach a broad cross-section of industry. We are especially urging all stakeholders and senior executives in commercial organizations involved in the NNI and affiliated organizations to log their opinions about nanotechnology development in the U.S..  Responses are confidential and will only be used in the aggregate.

All collaborating organizations and survey respondents will receive the insightful study results in advance of public release this summer. We may contact selected respondents to amplify key results.

I would appreciate it if you would take the time to complete this survey.

—————————————-
NANO NEWS

Lux-Founded Genocea Biosciences Files For IPO

NanoMech Announces New Global Campus

Lynn L. Bergeson Featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” Coverage of Chemical Spill in West Virginia

Building an Effective Team – How to Manage a Team to Make Good Decisions
By Michael J. Mauboussin & Dan Callahan, CFA – Credit Suisse

Manufacturers Add 19,000 in December
Manufacturing Economy Daily

Nanotechnology for Space Exploration
IEEE Roundup

—————————————-
NANOTECHNOLOGY JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Richard Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions:

Job 1)  Transition to Market Program Manager (licensing, software and copyright strategy, regional economic development, and contracts and agreement support)
http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/9824059?trk=jobs_sj

Job 2) Strategic Sponsored Work Program Manager (administration of interagency work, strategic alliances, and partnerships)
http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/9823504?trk=job_view_browse_map

Job 3) Innovation Assets Program Manager (innovation resources and tools, risk management, intellectual property, business models, and the permanent fund)
http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/9824058?trk=job_view_browse_map

Live, work, and play in beautiful Northern New Mexico (Santa Fe area). All three opportunities: $114,600 – $198,800; relocation if applicable. Candidates may apply for 1, 2, or all 3 positions, but should include different cover letters addressing each of the requirements noted in the job postings individually.

For more information and to apply, visit the Los Alamos National Laboratory job posting website at:
http://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/jobs/index.php

—————————————-
We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging technologies to become individual members of the NanoBCA.  Click here to become a NanoBCA Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $100.

—————————————-
Thank you for your participation in the 2014 U.S. Nanotechnology Commercialization Survey

Regards,

Vincent Caprio “Serving the Nanotechnology Community for Over a Decade”
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association
203-733-1949
vincent@nanobca.org
www.nanobca.org
www.vincentcaprio.org

By Jordan Lane Gilmore, Advisory Board Member, Water Innovations Alliance Foundation
and Vincent Caprio, Executive Director, Water Innovations Alliance Foundation for GE’s Our Water Counts blog, Water Wise

My experience in water well projects and research in SE Asia over the last few years have lead me to conclude that there is a major lack of information around water withdrawals in India and a need for openness in regard to alternative models for water infrastructure development, particularly in rural India. As water access is a fundamental building block for all development, especially in agrarian societies, it is in the interest of stakeholders to think specifically and critically about planning strategies that are suited for projected growth.  If limited water resources and the underlying ecological systems are not safeguarded, current agricultural practices will undermine food security.[1]  In India, groundwater (the overwhelmingly primary source of water for agriculture) depletion rates are estimated to be dangerously high and the quality of surface water is very poor.

Right now, there is no real indication of industry being united on a long term approach to alleviate the tremendous pressure put on water resources. This is not to say many companies do not recognize the problem and/or are doing little about it. They do quite a lot. But they could do much more and could target their efforts more directly at the strategic planning of infrastructure. Many of the majors have environmentally conscious practices in place and CSR programs, which are growing. They include programs like rainwater harvesting, advanced land cultivation, fodder preservation schemes, sericulture and water recycling programs, education centers, adult literacy programs and credit schemes.[2] Unilever farmers, for example, are required to apply techniques that are “appropriate to the amount of water available and according to local conditions so that capacity is not exceeded”.[3]

But what are these companies doing to contribute to the knowledge of that capacity (water availability) and local conditions?  Since they operate across many watershed areas and draw from the resource spanning across many state and other institutionalized boundaries, what are they doing to improve our understanding of watershed and larger system wide dynamics? Many states have identified a lack of adequate monitoring as a significant problem that prevents proper management. FSG reports on a broad lack of impact assessment in this area.[4]

So, how is industry leveraging the robust information technology infrastructure already in India to modernize assessment and management? In Brazil, Unilever farmers use high tech monitoring devices to make irrigation and fertilizing processes more efficient, so much that they have cut their use in half for tomato crops.  This says little, however, about the tech deployment in India, and even less about the upstream processes, i.e. the initial withdrawals from groundwater. Dupont has made use of GPS technology to increase yields with fewer inputs, but we can only infer so much toward the assessment of ecosystem wide impacts, which is very much in the company’s self-interest. Dupont confirms the need of its farmers for access tools enabled by the integration of mobile and information technology resources.[5]

There is a very real opportunity to improve the understanding of the rate of withdrawals and the status and of water resources by leveraging mobile technology and information services. Companies like WellDone are showing us how a device simpler than the technology of a flip-phone can be adapted to sensors and attached to a wellhead to measure the flow of water being withdrawn from aquifers (and ideally, down the road, test the quality).

So, the question is – would Ag companies not benefit from better quality data and real time information around the withdrawal of water from the source? A technology that measures extraction and can be implemented widely is available and fairly inexpensive.  If these companies want to enable better management while increasing information flow to their stakeholders, it might behoove them to consider taking advantage of the mobile infrastructure largely in place.

This would represent a step toward much needed monitoring and the benefits to management have tremendous potential.  Consider for a moment the alleviation of health problems related to water resource exhaustion. Diarrheal disease, relating to poor water access and quality, kills more children under-5 years of age than AIDS, malaria & measles combined.

Improved management based on strong assessment of groundwater resource capacity translates into improved (more efficient) distribution of water and will likely present smarter models for water infrastructure development (that go against antiquated models that entrench industry into larger and more costly infrastructure projects).  From a PR and CSR perspective alone, this translates into smart planning that engages and empowers stakeholders on a modern approach to infrastructure development.

[1] UNEP 2012
[2] School of Doctoral Studies (European Union) Journal 2010
[3] Unilever 2009
[4] Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research 2012
[5] Dupont Agriculture 2012