International Conference on Nanotechnology Unveils New Potentials for Industrial Applications

Over 350 representatives from the local business community attended the "2005 International Conference on Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials" jointly organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Machinery & Metal Industries (FMM), Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the Institute of NanoMaterials and Nano Technology of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and Natural Resources Canada today (8 August 2005).

Under the theme of "From Discovery to Industrial Application", the Conference aims to present the applications of nanotechnology in industrial production. With funding support from the Innovation & Technology Fund, HKSAR Government, the three-day event includes various industry-specific sessions and plenary sessions addressed by more than 40 industry experts from the USA, Canada, Europe, the Mainland and Asia Pacific region.

The opening ceremony of the Conference was officiated by Mr John Tsang, Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, HKSAR Government, and Mr Jimmy Kwok, Chairman of FMM.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Kwok said, "To stay competitive in the changing international business landscape and to drive for future growth and development, industrialists must turn to new technologies and new materials for solutions. With applications across various fields, nanomaterials and nanotechnology are recognised as one of the major drivers of industrial development."

"Providing an ideal information and experience sharing platform for industry, the Conference focuses on the commercialization and utilization of nanotechnology. Its application in six industry sectors, including smart coatings, electronics and photonics, automobile and components, nanopowders and composite materials, textile, environmental and energy storage, are presented to demonstrate the spectrum of potential of this new technology," he said.

Over 40 international experts shared their insight and experience at the Conference, including keynote speakers Prof. Wang Chen of National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China; Prof. Lee Ting-kuo of Taiwan Nanotechnology Initiative; Prof. Henri van Damme of CNRS et Universite d'Orleans, France; Prof. Hiroshi Yokoyama of Nanotechnology Research Institute, AIST, Japan; Dr Terry Turney of CSIRO Nanotechnology Centre of Science, Australia; and Prof. Ng Ka-ming of HKUST.

Other officiating guests included Mr K K Yeung, Executive Director of HKPC; Prof. Roland Chin, Vice President for Research and Development, HKUST; Dr Jason Lo, Principal Scientist of Natural Resources Canada; Mr Bernard Lau, Chairman of the Conference, and the chairmen of the ten member associations of FMM.

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HKPC
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8 August 2005