3/28/2011 4:38:00 PM

UAlbany NanoCollege presents weeklong series of ‘Nano in the Mall’ programs for National NanoDays 2011

Event photos

The growing impact of nanotechnology on society, including the role of nanoscale education, research and development in health care, clean energy, the environment and electronics, was the focus of a “Nano in the Mall” community outreach initiative presented by the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany in conjunction with National NanoDays 2011.

The program, which featured interactive demonstrations, exciting displays and hands-on activities, took place daily from March 28 through April 1 at Crossgates Mall in Albany.

Nano in the Mall kicked off with CNSE Assistant Vice President for NanoHealth Initiatives Dr. Sara Brenner showcasing how nanotechnology is revolutionizing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease, and driving exciting and important applications in nanomedicine.

On Tuesday, CNSE Associate Professor of Nanoscience Dr. Vincent LaBella discussed the impact of nanotechnology on video games and allowed attendees to experience the evolution firsthand with a display that featured video game consoles of the past and present.

Wednesday's hands-on activities led by CNSE’s Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) included an opportunity to try out model-size fuel-cell cars and solar panels, while discussing how nanotechnology is fueling clean energy technologies that increase efficiency while reducing cost, lightening our carbon footprint, and lessening our dependence on foreign oil.

CNSE Associate Professor of Nanoengineering Dr. Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik explained to participants on Thursday how researchers at CNSE are learning from and using nature as a model to develop nanotechnology innovations that enable sustainable energy and a cleaner environment.

The program concluded on Friday with CNSE Associate Professor of Nanobioscience Dr. Janet Paluh, as community members looked under a microscope to see how small a nanometer really is while learning how nanotechnology innovations are enabling critical biological applications.

Organized by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) and held March 26 through April 3, National NanoDays is the largest public outreach effort to raise awareness of nanotechnology, involving universities, science museums and research centers from Puerto Rico to Alaska.

For more information, visit http://www.cnse.albany.edu/Outreach/NanoDays2011.aspx.