The University of Illinois Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) participated at the nanotech 2012 conference and exhibition in Tokyo, Japan from Feb 15-17.  The booth was organized and supported by the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Trade Office in Tokyo, which also featured several Illinois Nanotech companies including NanoSi Advanced Technologies, Inc., a University of Illinois startup with laboratories located at the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign.

"While CNST had sent promotional materials to these conferences for a number of years, this was the first time the CNST/University of Illinois was represented by its Executive Director Dr. Irfan Ahmad, who is also research faculty with the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and acting Assistant Dean for Research at the College of Engineering.

"Dr. Ahmad was invited to represent the State of Illinois and the University of Illinois due to his understanding of nano@illinois spanning more than 10 years at the CNST", said Dr. Terrence LaRocca, Senior International Trade Representative for Asia/Pacific at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Dr. Ahmad's presence, along with that of Dr. Munir Nayfeh, founder and CTO of NanoSi, and a professor of Physics at the University of Illinois, generated more traffic at the booth, comprising of company representatives and academic institutions, and University of Illinois alumni," added Dr. LaRocca.

Drs Ahmad and Nayfeh also made invited presentations at Tsukuba University and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and discussed research partnerships with the National Institute of Materials Science.  Ahmad also made a panel presentation at nanotech 2012.

"We feel that Dr. Ahmad was very effective in seeking partnerships. We were glad to be of assistance to the University of Illinois and startups from Illinois," said Motoshi Yamada, Manager, State of Illinois Tokyo Office.

The University of Illinois Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) participated at the nanotech 2012 conference and exhibition in Tokyo, Japan from Feb 15-17.