Archive for February, 2016

Water 2.0 Conference: Save the Date – March 22 World Water Day – DC

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today we are excited to announce our next Water 2.0 Conference.

Water-2.0-Digital-Transformation-banner

 

 

 


Water 2.0 Conference: Digital Transformation for the Water Industry

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 (World Water Day)

REGISTER TODAY $250

Conference Location:

Foley & Lardner LLP
3000 K Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20007-5109

 Becky-Vince-Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our conference promotes the development of water technologies through innovation. Event co-sponsors include companies such as GE, Our Water Counts, Duke Energy, Watercura®, Global Water Technologies, ClearCove Systems, NAWC, iTalent and Livingston Securities.

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WATER NEWS

Inside The White House Roundtable On Water Innovation
By Peter Chawaga

Unsafe Lead Levels in Tap Water Not Limited to Flint
The New York Times

White House Declares Water Emergency in Flint, Michigan
By Erik Hromadka
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

The Missing Piece in Social Sector Innovation
By Catherine Griffin
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

White House Issues Call for Water Innovation
By Vincent Caprio
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

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CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

Please join our roster of Corporate Members.  For further information, please contact Vincent Caprio vince@waterinnovationsfoundation.org or 203-733-1949 to discuss.

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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging water technologies to become individual members of the WIAF.  Click here to become a WIAF Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $100.

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Looking forward to seeing you on March 22nd in Washington, DC.

Top 10 Water Resolutions for 2016

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Every year many of us create a new set of resolutions: I will exercise more, change my diet and focus on my health.  But what if we resolved to change our planet?

Water-tap---EarthLet’s add saving water to our list of resolutions.  The topic of water in America has increased during the last 5 years.  Water conservation is “in” due to numerous water crises in the United States:  2 year drought in California, flooding in the Midwest, flooding in South Carolina and North Carolina and various water problems throughout our nation.

Whether you are a municipal water supply professional, part of the water industry, organization or a concerned community member, there are easy resolutions we can make in 2016.  If we each commit to small conservation efforts, then we can have large impacts for the future of our water supply.  This year we have created 10 resolutions to put us one step further towards saving our water.

In 2016:

1.  Become a Water Evangelist

In your community, attempt to raise the consciousness of individuals in regard to America’s water infrastructure issues.  On December 23, 2015 the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) convened the first White House Roundtable on Water Innovation.  Today, it is “cool” and “hip” to discuss water.

2.  I will fix my leaky faucets.

Leaky faucets that drip at 1 drop per second can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water each year.  Make 2016 the year we put that number to better use.

3. I will replace old toilets with newer, updated models.

Older toilets can use three gallons of clean water with every flush, while newer toilets use as little as one gallon.  This small change will help to reduce water waste in your household.  It makes a difference.  My water bill decreased after replacing 3 toilets.

4.  I will shorten the length of my shower.

Reducing your shower time from ten minutes to five minutes could save an average of about six gallons of water a day.  If you lose track of time in the shower, then you can time yourself by how many songs play while you are in there.  Try to get your shower time down to one or two songs.  I have convinced my 18 year old daughter to reduce her shower time from 30 minutes to 20 minutes.  Trust me it was not easy!

5.  I will turn off the tap while I brush my teeth.

Running the tap while you brush your teeth can waste up to 4 gallons of water each day.  In 2016, resolve to turn the faucet off while cleaning your pearly whites.

6.  I will run my washing machine and dishwasher when they are full.

It is easy to get in the habit of starting to clean clothes or dishes when there are only a few items.  By waiting until you have a full load you could save up to 3,400 gallons of water a year.  Holding off until you have a full load also has the added benefit of saving you 25% to 50% of the energy of small loads.

7.  I will not over-water my plants.

A good rule of thumb for watering your lawn or plants is that a lawn needs 1 inch of water a week and perennial plants and shrubs will need from 1 inch to 2 inches a week.  Annuals do not have a specific rule, so follow the plant tag when you water those.

8.  I will reuse water.

Reusing water at home is easier than you might think; all it takes is an awareness of how and when you are using water.  For example, use the water from the dehumidifier to water your house plants.  Consciously ask yourself where water can be used before you pour it down the drain.

9.  Cut back on drinking bottled water

In 2015 bottled water outsold soda in America.  Sadly, 5 out of 6 empty water bottles end up in the landfill.

10.  I will recycle.

One of the best ways to conserve water is to buy recycled goods, as well as, recycling your own goods.  It takes about 100 gallons of water to grow and process a single pound of cotton.  By recycling, we can make that number stretch over multiple items.

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WATER NEWS

White House Declares Water Emergency in Flint, Michigan
By Erik Hromadka
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

The Missing Piece in Social Sector Innovation
By Catherine Griffin
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

White House Issues Call for Water Innovation
By Vincent Caprio
GE – Our Water Counts Blog

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CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

Please join our roster of Corporate Members.  For further information, please contact Vincent Caprio vince@waterinnovationsfoundation.org or 203-733-1949 to discuss.

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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging water technologies to become individual members of the WIAF.  Click here to become a WIAF Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $100.

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Let’s make 2016 the year we change the numbers of our most undervalued resource!

NanoBCA Encourages Your Response to NNCO & OSTP Request

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA) encourages all members of the nanotechnology community to respond to this request from the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).  The following information was presented on the White House blog by Michael Meador, Director of the NNCO at the White House National Science and Technology Council and by Lloyd Whitman, Assistant Director for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at the White House OSTP.

Identifying Commercialization-Success Stories from the National Nanotechnology Initiative
By Michael Meador and Lloyd Whitman
Twitter Facebook Email

Summary: The White House is seeking examples of commercialization-success stories stemming from U.S. Government-funded nanotechnology research and development.

Today, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking examples of commercialization-success stories arising from Federal investments in nanotechnology research & development since the inception of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2001. Under the NNI, the U.S. government has invested more than $22 billion in fundamental and applied research in nanotechnology; the development of world-class user facilities for fabrication, characterization, and modeling/simulation of nanomaterials; and the responsible development of nanotechnology. The purpose of the RFI being released today is to gather information to better understand how these investments and resources have been utilized to successfully transition nanotechnology-based products from the lab to the market.

In his 2014 State of the Union Address, President Obama said, “Federally-funded research helped lead to the ideas and inventions behind Google and smart phones” and can “unleash the next great American discovery – whether it’s vaccines that stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria, or paper-thin material that’s stronger than steel”. Nanotechnology researchers and entrepreneurs are making these innovations—plus many others—a reality. For example, pioneering nanotechnology research by two 2015 National Medal of Science and one National Medal of Technology and Innovation recipients has found its way into multiple commercial products. Quantum dots, developed by Dr. Armand Paul Alivisatos, can now be found in energy-efficient solid-state lighting and high-resolution video displays and televisions. Novel nanofabrication techniques developed by Dr. Joseph DeSimone are being put to work producing highly effective platforms for the controlled delivery of vaccines and therapeutics. Fin-FETs, which are 3D, nanometer-scale transistors co-invented by Dr. Chenming Hu, are used extensively in the latest computer chips. And there are dozens of companies involved in creating products that take advantage of the incredible electrical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene, such as data cables that are up to 70% lighter than traditional copper cables, and fibers that have more than 20 times the specific strength of steel.

While not every nanotechnology lab-to-market success can be recognized by the President, we are sure that there are many exciting examples out there that we have yet to learn about. And we suspect that many of these have been supported or helped along by Federal investments under the NNI. Have you been involved in the successful commercialization of a nanotechnology-enabled product? Was this success aided by Federal funding through a research grant or contract, collaboration with a scientist or engineer at a Federal lab, access to one of the many nanotechnology-user facilities, or based, in some way, on intellectual property arising from Federally-funded R&D? If so, tell us your story by responding to today’s RFI.

CLICK HERE to submit your examples of commercialization-success stories stemming from U.S. Government-funded nanotechnology research and development.

Michael Meador is the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office at the White House National Science and Technology Council.

Lloyd Whitman is Assistant Director for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Learn More:

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NANO NEWS

NNCO Highlights a Suite of Educational Activities

As highlighted in the White House blog today, the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with NBC Learn, has launched Nanotechnology: Super Small Sciencea series of videos for middle and high school students.

Can Nanotechnology Lead To Advanced Weapons?
By Jim Phillips – NanoMech

PEN Inc. Announces 1-for-180 Reverse Stock Split
Market Wired

Inside The White House Roundtable On Water Innovation
By Peter Chawaga

Role of Nanomanufacturing in Wearable Sensor Technologies
National Nanomanufacturing Network

mPhase Technologies Says Its New Drug Delivery System Could Prove Very Useful for Diabetics
Public.

2016 USA Science & Engineering Festival
FREE: Expo April 16 & 17
Washington, DC

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CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

Please join our roster of Corporate Members.  For further information, please contact Vincent Caprio vincentcaprio@nynanobusiness.org or 203-733-1949 to discuss.

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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging technologies to become Individual Members of the NanoBCA.  Individual Membership includes participation on our monthly conference call. Our next call is on Thursday, February 18th at 2PM ET.  Click here to become a NanoBCA Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $150.

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Once again, we encourage all of you to CLICK HERE to submit your examples of commercialization-success stories stemming from U.S. Government-funded nanotechnology research and development.

NanoBCA announces NIST Issues Notice of Intent to Fund New Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

Posted on February 23rd, 2016 in Uncategorized | No Comments »

This important announcement from NIST was released on December 22nd.

NIST Issues Notice of Intent to Fund New Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today it has issued a Notice of Intent to fund up to two institutes as part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). For its first institutes, the Commerce Department will provide up to a total of $70 million per institute over five to seven years. Commerce funding must be matched by private and other non-federal sources. The institutes are expected to become self-sustainable within the time period of the award.  

“Today marks a major milestone for the future of American innovation,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. “The collaborative, cutting-edge technologies being designed, developed and commercialized at our NNMI institutes are essential to America’s long-term economic growth, competitiveness and job creation. Our new institutes will build on the success of the existing seven, and for the first time, the topic areas have not been chosen in advance but will depend on industry interests and input. Together, our growing network of institutes will ensure America remains on the leading edge of the 21st century economy.”  

“Each institute serves as a regional hub of manufacturing excellence, providing the innovation infrastructure to reinforce the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector as a whole,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director Willie E. May. “NIST is pleased to support this national effort to build critical capacity in important technology areas, in support of U.S. manufacturing.”

This will be the first NNMI solicitation in which the funding agency has not predetermined an institute’s area of focus. NIST is open to receiving proposals in any topic of interest to industry, particularly those relevant to manufacturing robotics and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These two subject areas were identified by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) Advanced Manufacturing Partnership as technology areas critical to supporting national needs.

A collaborative manufacturing robotics institute would focus on developing advanced robotic systems that can safely operate in collaboration with humans or other robots, be tasked and re-tasked easily, and be integrated into the rest of an enterprise seamlessly and quickly.

A biopharmaceutical manufacturing institute would center on “biologic” therapies that are manufactured using living cells instead of conventional chemistry. The institute would aim to stimulate innovation in manufacturing that will enable new, more cost effective treatment of disease and solidify the domestic competitiveness of the U.S. biopharma industry.

Background:

The NNMI Institutes bring together manufacturers, universities, community colleges, federal agencies and state organizations with the goal of bridging the gap between basic research and product development. They aim to accelerate innovation by focusing investment in industrially relevant, pre-competitive manufacturing technologies with broad applications. The institutes also give manufacturers access to shared assets such as cutting-edge equipment and provide opportunities for workforce training.

Seven institutes are already operating across the country, with two more under formation, funded primarily by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy. All of the institutes collaborate through the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, which was established at NIST in 2012 to support the NNMI.

NIST plans to issue a solicitation for up to two new institutes in January 2016. The date and location of a Proposer’s Day will be announced on grants.gov and at manufacturing.gov.

As a non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department, NIST promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. To learn more about NIST, visit www.nist.gov

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NANO NEWS

NanoMech Featured at Energy Makers Show
Jim Phillips and Ajay Malshe share stories about success in the oil and gas sector as well as the automobile industry.

Forbes Revisits D-Wave Article on Top List of 2015
Harris & Harris Group

Cambrios Powering Past Competitors in High-Volume Touchscreen Production
Nanotechnology Now

mPhase Receives Notice of Allowance for Smart Drug Delivery System Patent
PRWeb

Northeastern faculty spark a sea change in the nanomedicine field
iNSolution

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CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

Please join our roster of Corporate Members.  For further information, please contact Vincent Caprio vincent@nanobca.org or 203-733-1949 to discuss.

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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

We encourage individuals interested in continuing our efforts to provide information in regard to emerging technologies to become Individual Members of the NanoBCA.  Individual Membership includes participation on our monthly conference call. Our next call is on Thursday, January 21st at 2PM ET.  Click here to become a NanoBCA Individual Member.  The annual Individual Membership fee is $150.

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Please take the time to review this important announcement from NIST that impacts our Nanotechnology Community.