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2012 General

  • Nanocamp
    Mon, 16/01/2012 - 10:00pm - Sat, 21/01/2012 - 6:00am

    NanoCamp 2012

    NanoCamp 2012 is currently running - hosted by Victoria University of Wellington.

    Latest NanoCamp News

    NanoCamp 2011

    The 3rd annual NanoCamp was held at Massey University during the week January 17-21, 2011. Around 200 applications were received from Year 12 students, and we offered places to 10 students from around New Zealand as well as two from the Palmerston North area. All 12 students accepted this invitation.

    The camp featured eight three-hour science sessions where students explored various aspects of nanotechnology under the guidance of Massey academic staff and postgraduate students. Most of these academic staff members were either MacDiarmid PI’s or AI’s. The science sessions focussed on:
     

    1. Fabrication of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)
    2. Synthesis and properties of conducting polymers
    3. Theoretical aspects of nanoscience
    4. Synthesis of quantum dots
    5. Optical tweezers
    6. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
    7. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
    8. Nanoparticles and devices.


    An evening social programme complemented the science sessions. The students went bowling, go- karting, swimming, watched DVDs (including the Alan MacDiarmid documentary ‘Super Plastics Man’) etc. The students stayed on-site in the halls of residence (except those coming from the local area).

    The students were given a brief survey towards then end of the week and the feedback was uniformly positive. The event was covered in the media following a press release from Massey University.

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  • Discovery Awards 2012
    Fri, 27/01/2012 - 11:23am

    Discovery Awards 2011

    The Discovery Awards Welcome event saw 7 students from around New Zealand including Christchurch, Nelson and the Wellington region attend a 2 day introduction.

    During the 2 day event they were involved with interactive science sessions with Howard Lukefahr and Elf (James) Eldridge and also met their lab supervisors for the 2 week lab experience.  This year supervisors were seeing double as identical twins Isaiah & Tre Ratahi were joined by Nadine Houia-Ashwell (also a twin!) and Hoani Hotene from the Wellington region along with schoolmates Sophie Barron and Kristie-Lee Thomas from Christchurch and Rere Pope from Nelson.

    The students are currently spending 2 weeks in laboratories at Victoria University of Wellington, University of Auckland and Otago University exploring Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials .

    Discovery Awards 2010

    The Institute received 29 applications for 8 positions. 3 pupils were hosted at Victoria by Shaun Hendy, Paul Callaghan & Justin Hodgkiss; 2 pupils were hosted at Auckland by David Williams with 3 pupils hosted at Canterbury by Richard Blaikie & Vladimir Golovko. Pupils came from Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Hastings, Auckland, Greymouth, Nelson & Kawhia.

    Over two days, 2 and 3 December 2010, pupils were hosted by Victoria University, starting with a “Meet and Greet” reception and lunch for the whole group plus their support person. Three successful Awhina members also shared their experiences of university life and working in science. Lab sessions for that afternoon and the following morning were kindly provided by Howard Lukefahr, Elf Eldridge and Michael Miller. In the evening they participated in the 100 years of Physics event; and after dinner they visited the Gifford Observatory where the pupils were able to observe the night sky.

    Two weeks from 10-21 January were spent in laboratories at Auckland, Victoria and Canterbury, getting an insight into life as a researcher. Reports from the pupils reflected the positive impact of the programme and the influence it will have on the decisions they make for further education.

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  • Commercialisation Showcase
    Thu, 05/04/2012 - 9:30am - 12:30pm

    Inspiration for the future will be provided by visiting expert, serendipity engineer and pragmatic optimist Mark Stevenson, followed by tales from the leading edge from scientists and entrepreneurs who are there and doing it - commercialising MacDiarmid research and innovation.

    Refreshments are provided. For catering purposes, please RSVP to Rebecca Hill (rebecca.hill@creativehq.co.nz) by Monday 2nd April.

    Programme

    Introduction from Stephanie Pietkiewicz

    (Founder : TrueStory)

    Mark Stevenson (Author : “An Optimist’s Tour of the Future”)

    An Optimistic Futurists’ View of the New Frontiers of Technology: what will help us and the planet survive? How important is it for you to get your ideas out there?

    Nick Gerritsen (Venture Catalyst and serial Entrepreneur : CrispStart)

    An investment and investor perspective on commercialisation: emergent trends, the new power brokers, technologies of interest.

    Andrew Coy (CEO : Magritek)

    The lessons learned in founding a high-tech business: where we began, where we are focused now and the outlook for the future.

    Jim Johnston (IP Originator/Founder : Wetox, Aulana, Noble Bond)

    Commercialisation from a Scientist’s perspective: Generating IP with a commercial orientation, the importance of market, the fickleness of industry.

    For MacDiarmid Students:

    Interested in participating in the MacDiarmid Commercialisation Fellowship scheme or looking for more information?  Alan Groves (Wellington-based Mentor for the Fellowship program) will be available on the day to answer all your questions.

     

     

     

    Links:
    MacDiarmid Institute and Creative HQ on quest for new high-tech companies
    Commercialisation of Institute Research

    Creative HQ

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  • Lifting our Horizon
    Tue, 05/06/2012 (All day) - Fri, 08/06/2012 (All day)

    2012 Transit of Venus Forum - Lifting our Horizon

    Join delegates from the science, business, iwi and government communities at the Transit of Venus Forum to hear some of New Zealand’s leading thinkers advance Sir Paul Callaghan’s vision for New Zealand – a place where talent wants to live – a community that is prosperous and inclusive. Attendance at the forum is by invitation, or you can register directly for the open places (these are limited so don’t delay).

    Objectives for the Forum

    • To inspire younger people to play a role in our future.
    • To give people across all sectors a scientific, and therefore apolitical, evidence-based summary of New Zealand’s current realities, risks and opportunities.
    • To introduce iwi investors and leaders to the science community and broaden their thinking about investment opportunities.
    • To inspire thinking about what we could do to make a living that is not asset- depleting or harmful to our environment or people.
    • To support small communities and provincial centres with sustainable development plans.

    For more information, visit the Forum webiste.

    Register now for this extrordinary event.  Limited places remain.
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