Swiss NanoConvention 2011 - How Nanotechnology will be shaping our Future

A conference for exchanging ideas, creating momentum, generating food for thought and encouraging visionary concepts

Wednesday/Thursday, 18th/19th May 2011, in the Culture & Congress Center TRAFO, Baden

Further information can be found here.

The Swiss NanoConvention will bring together leaders from science and industry in the field of «nano», key figures in innovation and technology, entrepreneurs, investors, administrators and politicians. The goal is to enable the efficient development, financing and regulation of innovative technologies. This requires, first and foremost, accurate choices based on the most up-to-date information. Supporting decision makers in that crucial aspect, the Swiss NanoConvention 2011 will be a platform for connecting people, networking, debating and exchanging ideas – or even generating new ones. Key players will be able to gather the best available information on the potential of one of the key emerging technologies of the 21st century, and its opportunities for innovative technologies, products and services.

High-level speakers, both national and international, will provide insights into current trends and share with you their views and opinions about future developments in the nano arena. In the past these included IBM researcher Don Eigler, Harvard's George Whitesides, Nestlé’s CTO Werner Bauer, the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, the visionary solar pioneer Betrand Piccard, and many more. In short: The Swiss NanoConvention is the prime showcase for nanotechnology in Switzerland, jointly organized by the «who-is-who» in the Swiss nano scene. It is the venue for meeting the great minds in nanoscience and -technology.

Key topics include pressing issues such as securing a sustainable energy supply and a clean environment – the area of «Cleantech» –, providing novel nanomedical applications and diagnostics as well as innovative functional materials and their numerous industrial applications. Another focus will be the potential risks associated with free nanoparticles, and how society sees and handles these issues. The two-day program will feature plenary talks, topical sessions, discussion platforms and ample opportunities for in-depth and informal networking.

• (Inter-)National educational, research and innovation sectors in the field of nano(bio)technology
• High-tech companies – particularly SMEs – that are active in the nanotechnology sector, including bio- / medtech and pharma companies
• Business associations, cantonal business development agencies, chambers of industry and commerce, banks, investors
• Cantonal as well as federal agencies and federal administrative bodies, research support facilities, interested MPs etc.
• Insurance companies, technology assessment experts
• Consumer organisations, consumer protection groups, etc.

• Hans Josef Hug (Empa, President)
• Harald Krug (Empa)
• Viola Vogel (ETH Zürich)
• Christofer Hierold (ETH Zürich)
• Michel Rappaz (EPF Lausanne)
• Harald Brune (EPF Lausanne)
• Marcel Mayor (Universität Basel)
• Hans-Joachim Güntherodt (Universität Basel)
• Christoph Weder (Adolphe Merkle Institut AMI/Universität Fribourg)
• Martina Hirayama (Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW)
• Hartmut Rohrmann (OC Oerlikon)
• Jörg Brozio (Novartis)
• Paul Seidler (IBM)

The Swiss NanoConvention 2011 will be organized locally by Empa, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and ETH Zürich. A satellite event with emphasis on SMEs will be held on-site by the Swiss innovation promotion agency CTI on the second day of the NanoConvention.  NanoPubli, an event geared toward the general public will be held in parallel. It will feature lectures and an exhibition for all those interested in the world of the extremely small.

Following the proven concept of Empa's NanoConvention and yet being distinctively different, the newly branded «Swiss NanoConvention» will be staged annually in different regions of Switzerland, and is supported and organized on a rotating basis by all major players in the Swiss nano scene. The series will be supported by the Swiss Network for Micro- and Nanotechnology (MNT) and the institutes it represents.