World Leading Experts to Speak at International Nanoscience Conference at TC

Posted on: 25 June 2008

World leading researchers gathered at the 14th International Conference on the Solid Films and Surfaces (ICSFS-14) hosted by the  Centre for Research on Adaptive  Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN) at  Trinity College Dublin, on June 29- July 4, 2008.

ICSFS-14 will brought together top class researchers in the area of thin films and surfaces, materials whose properties are responsible for the operation of everyday devices, ranging from computer chips, to iPods, to the lasers found in DVDs and the supermarket checkout.

Commenting on the significance of the forum, the conference chair and TCD’s CRANN Director, Professor John J. Boland said: “This meeting brings together leading experts at a time when there are so many exciting advances in material and device concepts. Moreover, it provides a wonderful platform to showcase the very significant levels of research and innovation at Irish universities”.

The conference featured presentations from leading international scientists who described – new materials and devices. The experts include:

Dr. Stanley Williams from HP Quantum Science Research, one of the most internationally renowned nanotechnologists described recent advances that have the potential of creating a paradigm shift in how computers are made and how they operate.

Professor Andre Geim spoke about graphene – a revolutionary material comprised of just a single atom thick sheet of graphite – the material found in common pencil lead.

Dr Stuart Parkin from the IBM Almaden Research Center discussed recent breakthroughs in magnetic recording which have made possible popular devices such as the Apple iPod, not to mention the disk drives found in all computers and laptops.

This conference was made possible by the generous support of Science Foundation Ireland, together with a broad consortium of industry sponsors.