Conference Agenda Announced for 3rd Annual NanoBusiness 2004 - News Item

Penton Media and the NanoBusiness Alliance today announced details of its conference program for the 3rd annual NanoBusiness 2004, the industry's most important event focusing on the rapidly growing nanotechnology industry. Slated to return to Marriott Financial Center Hotel from May 17-19, the conference is designed to drive forward the emerging business of microsystems and nanotechnology.

As the only true "must-attend" conference for all parties involved in the business of small technology, NanoBusiness 2004 will once again gather hundreds of scientists, engineers, business leaders and investors for three intensive days of highly charged seminars, presentations, keynotes and networking events. The conference program is focused on providing attendees with all the information required to push research and application development toward commercialization, as well as showcase the ongoing integration of small tech products into the global economy.

Topics to be addressed at the NanoBusiness 2004 conference, include:

• Nanotech 101: A Brief Introduction Into The Business Of Nanotechnology - including in-depth looks at Advanced Materials; Life Sciences and Medicine; Electronics and IT, and a discussion of the technical barriers to the commercialization of nanotechnology.
• Nanotech 201: An Advanced Look At Key NanoBusiness Areas - including sessions on Nanotubes and Fullerenes; Going Public (Is There an Emerging IPO Market for Nanotech Companies?); and The Chemical Industry Roadmap for Nanomaterials.
• Nanotech and the Environment - From advanced solar panels to water filtration and pollution control devices, nanotechnology can provide a range of solutions for current and future environmental issues. This panel looks at some of the leading companies, technologies and challenges in environmental nanotechnology.
• Defense and Nanotechnology - Smarter weapons, advanced structural materials, and increased information capabilities are just a few of the areas that the military has identified as key targets for nanotechnologies. In this panel session, representatives from leading defense contractors as well as the US military discuss the role of nanotechnology in military applications.
• The Future of Nanotechnology within the Life Sciences - Attendees will gain perspective on the integration of nanotechnology in the life science space and realizing value from a strong IP portfolio. Strategies will be discussed for obtaining resources for nanotechnology research, providing a business perspective on extracting value from the IP portfolio, and metrics for identifying high value nanotechnology opportunities/applications in life science.
• Disease and Nanotechnology - A broad range of nanotech therapies are currently being developed for cancer, Parkinsons disease, HIV-AIDS and a host of other illnesses. A few are even in clinical trials and may reach the marketplace within a couple of years. This session examines the prospects of nanotech therapies for major diseases and considers the short- and mid-term prospects for the market.
• Energy Solutions - Nanotech applications for the energy industry could be as revolutionary as space-based solar power or as mundane as nanocoatings for oil drill bits. Experts feel that nanotech could be the answer to the world's energy problems, and in this session, some of the leading companies working in energy talk about their solutions, and consider the impact of nanotech on the global energy marketplace.
• Public Policy and Nanotechnology - Since the advent of the National Nanotechnology Initiative in 2000, nanotech has been a significant focus for technology policy experts. The recent approval of $3.7 billion for nanotech research over the next four years has set in motion a new attention to government as a driver of nanotech development. Drawing upon the insights of leading government officials, policy experts, and advisors, this panel considers the continuing role of government in the development of the nanotech industry.

Posted 3^rd March 2004