Funding the frontiers of materials science

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Dec 22, 2010

When it comes to funding dollars, the National Science Foundation's Division of Materials Research (DMR) is one of America's most important backers of materials science.

Next year, this government agency will allocate close to $320 million on a wide-ranging programme of advanced materials research and technology innovation.

In this exclusive physicsworld.com video interview, Ian Robertson, the DMR's incoming director, talks about growth areas – nanoelectronics, photovoltaics and data-enabled science among others – and what the agency is doing to encourage high-risk, high-payoff interdisciplinary research.

As for the "next big thing", Robertson doesn't have a crystal ball, but he does predict a pivotal role for computational materials science and simulation in areas like synthesis, processing and the modelling of next-generation materials.

"My feeling is that it is not going to impact one area of materials science, but the entire field," says Robertson, who is also a Donald B Willett professor of engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

This interview forms part of a series filmed at the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting in Boston. See also "Living in a material world".

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3rd Bangalore Nano 2010 :: Frontiers of Nanotechnology: Impact on India

Bangalore Nano event has truly emerged as the premier event for research fraternity and industry to come together and explore emerging opportunities in this sector. The previous edition in the year 2008 has witnessed participation of 350+ delegates and over 60 star speakers from across the globe.

Bangalore Nano is organized by Department of IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and MM ACTIV Sci Tech Communications. The event comprising of Exhibition & Conference will encompass two full days of presentations and discussions and interactive networking activities; a meeting place for the global Scientists, Industry, Academia & Government with a focus on "Frontiers of Nanotechnology: Impact on India".

3rd Bangalore Nano will discuss a range of issues pertaining to research, technology development, skills requirement, institutions involved, risks issues, regulatory & governance structure, Investment and collaborations between Academia, R&D & Industry. The Event will see participation from Chief Scientific Officers, Policy Makers, VPs, Directors, Heads, Scientists, Chemists and Research Leaders/Fellows/Advisors from Industry, Governments and Research Institutions.

3rd Bangalore Nano will offer an unparalleled opportunity for Business networking and for knowledge sharing in the exciting field of Nanotechnology.

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