An international conference that places Hong Kong at the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology is being held at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), bringing together world-renowned academicians and experts in the field to explore how the technology can benefit mankind.

Opened today (4 January) by Professor Bai Chunli, Executive Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, the five-day IEEE International NanoElectronics Conference 2010 exemplifies CityU’s commitment to advancing science and technology for the betterment of Hong Kong and the wider global community.

More than 40 prominent scientists from around the world, including Professor Bai, an academician of CAS, Professor Sir Harold Kroto, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor Paul Alivisatos, Larry and Diane Bock Professor of Nanotechnology, University of California, Berkeley, and Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, US, and Professor Charles Lieber, leading nanoscientist at Harvard University, US, will discuss the extensive research and profound implications of nanoscience and nanotechnology to the health, electronics, biomedical and photonics fields.

In addition, 16 academicians from CAS, Chinese Academy of Engineering and Academia Sinica will participate during the conference in a special one-day symposium on nanoscience and nanotechnology in China to foster further scientific exchange between scientists from Greater China and other parts of the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Kuo said, “CityU is well-placed to host this prestigious conference as we endeavour to create applicable knowledge that supports the social and economic advancement of society. We are also honoured to have so many distinguished speakers share their experience with us at CityU.”

Professor Bai said CityU and other universities in Hong Kong have made impressive progress in nanotechnology research and development and that this conference would further propel such advances.

“Nanoscience and nanotechnology will bring us revolutionary changes and promise to make a profound impact on all aspects of our daily life and social and economic development,” he said. Professor Bai added that new discoveries could lead to the emergence of new industries and help power economic development.

Professor Paul Chu Kim-ho, from the Department of Physics and Material Sciences of CityU and General Chair of the conference, said the event had received very enthusiastic responses, with more than 900 presentations from 35 countries and special administrative regions.

“The conference provides a forum for international academics, researchers, practitioners, and students to discuss new developments, concepts and practices, and to identify future research needs that will bring nano-research closer to its immense potential,” Professor Chu said.

The IEEE International NanoElectronics Conference 2010 will be held from 4-8 January at CityU. More details of the conference can be found at www.pd4n48r.xyz/ieeeinec.