A nanotechnology conference brings the region’s leading researchers and businesses together in Vancouver
It’s a small, small world. This is especially true for researchers and scientists working in the world of nanotechnology. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, smaller than a living cell and visible to only the most powerful microscopes. The paper this story is printed on, for instance, is about 100,000 nanometers thick. It may be surprising to learn, then, that nanotechnology already is helping to make better tennis balls and sunscreen, among other products. But its true potential has yet to be realized, and Clark County industries could be involved in refining and applying these applications.
From July 24 through July 26, the annual Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference will be held at the Hilton in Vancouver to promote opportunities to commercialize this small-scale technology.
"It acknowledges the strength of the industry and our focus on continuing to try to build it," said Bart Phillips, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
This is the first year the three-year-old event will be held in Washington. The Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute launched the conference in 2004 and this year has joined forces with the Washington Technology Center to expand it.
John Martin, director of WTC’s Washington Nanotechnology Initiative, said the two states realized they already play a significant role in nanotechnology research with the number of large high-tech businesses, particularly with the semiconductor industry in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
"A number of states have latched onto (nanotechnology) as the new next trend," said Martin.
Some limited commercial applications have begun to have an impact since about 2000, but the possibilities are far from realized. Oregon and Washington want to be prepared.
"The purpose is to bring this to the business community to make them aware of what is going on and show them what the connections can be," said Martin.
Nanoscale materials can be applied in just about any industry, including agriculture, medicine and energy. Presentations in these areas and others will be included in the three-day conference. Clark County will also be represented.
Tolis Voutsas of Sharp Laboratories of America in Camas will speak at the conference, and Washington State University Vancouver and Hewlett-Packard are sponsors of the event.
Sharp’s Camas facility is one of several corporate research labs the company has around the world, and is a state leader in the number of nano-related patents it has. Voutsas, senior manager of the liquid crystal display process technician lab, will talk about flexible display technology at the conference. Sharp has not yet applied nanotechnology in manufacturing but is using it to research ways of improving display technology.
"We are looking at ways to improve performance or lower manufacturing costs," said Voutsas. "That is where we are trying to implement the technology."
Voutsas said there are not enough companies convinced the technology is worth the investment to allow for widespread implementation in the short term.
"It has a bright future," said Voutsas. "That is why we are investing the time and effort."
Nanotechnology in Clark County is in the embryonic stage, said Martin, but "having the conference here is part of a broader strategy to support micro/nano technology in the lower Columbia region."
The WTC, WSU Vancouver and the Columbia River Economic Development council are spearheading an effort to establish a semiconductor and micro device user facility in Vancouver. Last month Rep. Brian Baird secured $100,000 to begin development of the facility.
"It’s part of our overall strategy to build an innovative economy here," said Phillips. "It would support existing research and development here and build the technology to serve as the basis for new firms." Some companies already here cannot afford their own such space or must travel to Seattle for similar facilities, said Phillips.
Martin said the WTC has strong interest in Clark County, as its industries are poised to take advantage of developing technologies.
The annual conference will continue to alternate between different cities in both states. Additional information is available at www.micronbc.org.
