RICHARDSON, Texas (Sept. 28, 2006) — “The World of Nanotechnology” is the theme of the inaugural event on Oct. 20 in a quarterly series of Research and New Venture Showcases to be presented by The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The University of Texas at Dallas.
The daylong showcase, which is open to the public, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the TI Auditorium in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science on the UT Dallas campus.
Each of the showcases will highlight an emerging field of technology, featuring the work of leading researchers and local companies involved in commercializing technologies in that domain.
Dr. Joseph Picken, the institute’s executive director, said institute leaders chose nanotechnology as a theme for the quarterly showcase’s first event because of the high degree of current interest and activity in the field.
“Our researchers are doing some incredible work. We anticipate that the quarterly showcase series will become one of the institute’s signature events, and this is a great way for us to kick off the series and show the community what we’re doing here at UT Dallas,” he said.
During the event’s morning sessions, attendees will hear briefings on the university’s recent developments and discoveries in the field of nanotechnology, with potential applications as diverse as medicine, robotics, materials science and defense.
Dr. Robert Helms, dean of the Jonsson School, will deliver the keynote luncheon speech. In the afternoon sessions, representatives of three local companies – Zyvex, Authentix and Raytheon – will discuss commercial applications of nanotechnology.
The afternoon session will close with a panel featuring researchers, CEOs and service providers, who will address ways in which various industry segments can work together more effectively to commercialize new developments in the field. A late afternoon reception will provide opportunities for networking and informal discussion.
Dr. Andrew Blanchard, the institute’s associate director who is also associate dean of the Jonsson School, said the event is designed to attract individuals interested in nanotechnology, “who want to know more about the latest developments in UT Dallas’ research labs, as well as emerging commercial applications in the field.”
Registration for the event is available online at a cost of $95, which includes the luncheon and closing reception. To register, visit the institute’s web site, http://innovation.utdallas.edu.
About the Institute
The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UT Dallas is a collaborative initiative of the schools of Arts and Humanities; Behavioral and Brain Sciences; Economic, Political and Policy Sciences; Engineering and Computer Sciences; Management; and Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The institute’s programs are focused on initiatives in four broad areas: academic and student programs; internal programs and support; community outreach and research. These initiatives support the positioning of UT Dallas as an institution recognized not only for research leadership but also for the positive impact it has on the region and society through the innovative application of new knowledge.
About UT Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls more than 14,500 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UT Dallas, please visit the university’s web site at www.utdallas.edu.