International Conference on Synthetic Metals 2004 (ICSM2004)

Jun 28, 2004

Conference details

Location and duration of conference:
Hosted by the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute at the University of Wollongong from 28 June - 2 July 2004.

Number of delegates:
Approx. 800 (international and national)

Synopsis:
The role and impact of nanoscience and nanotechnologies.

Synthetic metals are man-made materials that have many of the properties of metals, they conduct electricity, they can be magnetic, they can be stimulated to produce light and so on. Typically, however, they are polymeric and have characteristics such as being lightweight and being able to be moulded. The common synthetic metals such as conducting polymers and carbon nanotubes are therefore finding application in an extremely diverse range of areas such as artificial muscles, electronic noses, plastic solar cells, light emitting diodes, corrosion inhibition, biological and chemical sensors, electronic textiles and nerve cell communications.

The ability to manipulate matter on the nanometer scale (nanotechnology) presents the possibility of making materials more suitable for current engineering needs (eg, smaller, lighter) and to make new materials which open up new engineering and medical possibilities. Consequently, a synergy between synthetic metals and nanotechnology has emerged and is providing ground breaking and exciting scientific and industrial possibilities.

Nobel Laureates attending icsm2004:
Professor Alan Heeger (University of California USA),Professor Alan MacDiarmid (University of Pennsylvania, USA)Professor Hideki Shirakawa (University of Tsukuba, Japan)(Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the Year 2000 for the discovery and development of conducting polymers). More information at: http://www.nobel.se/chemistry/laureates/2000/index.html

Plenary speakers:
Gerard Bidan (CEA-Grenoble, France)Arthur J. Epstein (Ohio State University, USA)Andrew Holmes (University of Cambridge, UK)Junji Kido (Yamagata University, Japan)Klaus Mullen (Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Germany)Timothy M. Swager (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA)Z. Valey Vardeny (University of Utah, USA)

For general conference information:
http://icsm2004.uow.edu.au

Media highlights

The volunteer program for icsm2004 has shown that local citizens enjoy supporting their community, particularly the education sector. Volunteer Illawarra, university students and Intelligent Polymer Research Institute staff involved in the program. Media contact: James Cook (UOW, phone 4221 8095).

Wollongong Lord Mayor's welcome reception and registration on Sunday June 27 at the University Hall and UniBar, University of Wollongong (UOW), 5pm- 7pm.

Nobel Laureate Session during the icsm2004 conference, Monday June 28 9.45am-12.30pm, at the University Hall. Three Nobel Laureates in Chemistry for the Year 2000 will attend the icsm2004 conference and discuss the icsm2004 theme.Professor Alan Heeger (University of California USA),Professor Alan MacDiarmid (University of Pennsylvania, USA)Professor Hideki Shirakawa (University of Tsukuba, Japan).

The Nobel Laureate Session will be chaired by Dr Jim Peacock, the President of the Australian Academy of Science. To obtain information on each Nobel Laureate and their topics please contact the Media Manager for icsm2004, Vicky Wallace, (vwallace@uow.edu.au or ph: 0422 471031)

Throughout the conference:
Scientific research by IPRI

The hosts for the icsm2004, the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) from the University of Wollongong, will be among the hundreds of speakers and presenters at the poster sessions of the conference. Members of IPRI will present work on a number of fronts including: Wearable energy storage (fibre batteries), highly-performing artificial muscles, synthetic enzymes for hydrogen generation, recent advances in plastic solar cells and new biosensors. A particularly exciting breakthrough has been the ability to produce and assemble nanodimensional "synthetic metal" structures - this has resulted in dramatic improvements in each of the above areas.

Business Opportunities session and Competition:
Wednesday 30 June (1.30-4pm)
Venue: McKinnon Building, University of Wollongong

Business editors/science journalists may be interested in an article about potential partnerships and collaborations between researchers and businesses with the aim of commercialising cutting edge technology. A speaker at this session is Gregory Smith (co-founder and manager of SciVentures: http://www.sciventures.com.au/), who is keen to inject funding and support into the commercialisation of Australian research. Only those registered for the conference are able to attend. Competition:"ICSM 2004 Prize for an Australian Innovation."

At the close of the session above, a young Australian research scientist or student presenting an Australian innovation/technology with potential commercial value will be selected for the opportunity to have his or her research or Intellectual Property (IP) evaluated and developed. Young researchers will enter their conference abstract for the competition (numbers to be finalised). The prize, provided by SciVentures, comprises a two-day on-site workshop on IP evaluation and development with the intent to commercialise.

Icsm2004 Conference Dinner:
Wednesday 30 June 7pm-12pm at the WEC.

The Wollongong Entertainment Centre (WEC) has organised an evening of Australian talent for the hundreds of the overseas visitors attending the dinner. This includes an Aboriginal smoking ceremony, dreamtime story telling, indigenous Dance, didgeridoo demonstration, Australian animals on display and the Wongawilli Bush Band.

It is also during the conference dinner that the venue for the next icsm (year 2006) will be announced. More information: Vicky Wallace (vwallace@uow.edu.au or ph: 0422 471031)

School students meet Nobel Laureates at a special event at the Wollongong Science Centre: Thursday July 1.

The event hopes to encourage school students to be interested in nanoscience at a tertiary level. Nobel Laureates will speak with 100 invited high school students about why they began a career in science, why this is such an exciting area of research and what it was like winning the Nobel Prize. (Photo Opportunity at the Science Centre with Questions for the Laureates from the students).

The newly-introduced nanotechnology courses at the UOW will also be highlighted - i) Bachelor of Nanotechnology, ii)Bachelor of Nanotechnology (Advanced), both 4-year courses and iii) Bachelor of Science (Nanotechnology) a 3-year course.

The focus of the courses is on materials and chemistry with the emphasis on how to make nano-materials and how to characterise their structure and properties. This theme is supported by studies in physics, mathematics and introductory biology. Students can choose elective subjects from different interest areas including biology, physics, mechatronics and also materials or chemistry. Current employment is mainly in the research sector (University or CSIRO), but with the number of private start-up companies emerging there is expected to be a world-wide increase in employment in the private sector.

Accompanying Persons Program throughout the week:Delegates' partners and families to attend various tours in and around Wollongong, including Kiama/Minnamurra, Southern Highlands and, the University Of Wollongong Art Collection by curator Mr Glenn Barkley (viewing and purchasing local artwork is always popular with international visitors).

Presentation of icsm2004 Young Researcher Awards and Closing Ceremony:
Friday July 2 12.30pm-1pm.

Oral presentations and poster sessions throughout the week will be judged for the Young Researcher Award for the icsm2004 in Wollongong.Scientific journal subscriptions and financial assistance ($US1,000) for book purchases are among the prizes.

Note: A UOW photographer will be attending the main conference events to assist media agencies requiring any photographs (300dpi pix can be emailled).

Interviews with Nobel Laureates must be organised in advance with Vicky Wallace. If you require any other information regarding the conference please do not hesitate to call or e-mail Vicky Wallace:(M) 0422 471031 or email: vwallace@uow.edu.au

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128