Military Nanotechnology

The opportunities presented by nanotechnology are far-reaching, novel and unprecedented.

The nano-inspired evolution and transformation of national defence capability has already begun, with the recent conflict in Iraq widely considered the last to be fought without incorporating major benefits from nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Keeping pace with the military applications of nanotechnology research and development is vital if a technological edge is to be maintained in national defence.

Military Nanotechnology – An Opportunity for Defence Evolution, will bring together key government, military and defence industry representatives from the multi-national community. They will be able to discuss and explore how advances in nanotechnology will lead to the military developing smaller, more powerful and more mobile weapons, sensors and surveillance systems that will remain cost-effective and future-proof.

By focusing on the key lines of development in sensors, combatant protection, structures and electronics, Military Nanotechnology will provide a clear and exciting environment, where cutting-edge presentations will address the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionise battlefield surveillance, stealth and the survivability of combatants and equipment.

In addition to this, Military Nanotechnology will enable interaction between top scientists and programme managers from international military research laboratories, academia and the private sector – allowing mutually beneficial dialogue and collaborative arrangements to be formed. Thus ensuring that the potential of nanotechnology to transform the military in ways that were previously unimaginable can be realised and acted upon.

An exceptional speaker line up includes:

• Mark Mezger, Nanotechnology Programme Co-ordinator, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Centre (ARDEC),  US Army
• Dr Douglas Imeson, Technical Advisor for Nanotechnology, dstl, Ministry of Defence, UK
• Dr Xavier Grison, Head of Department, Technical Expertise Directorate, Materials and Components Division, Delegation Generale pour l'Armement (DGA)
• Dr Steven Savage, Deputy Research Director, Functional Materials, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
• Professor John Ryan, Director, Interdisciplinary Research Collarboration (IRC) in Bionanotechnology, University of Oxford
• Professor Mark Welland, Director, Interdisciplinary Research Collarboration (IRC) in Nanotechnology, University of Cambridge
• Professor Andrew Briggs, Director, Interdisciplinary Research Collarboration (IRC) in Quantum Information Processing, University of Oxford
• Professor Roland Decuypere, Head of Department, Flight Mechanics, Belgium Royal Military Academy
• Professor Roger Whatmore, Director, Cranfield Nanotechnology Centre, Cranfield University
• Professor John Pethica, Director, and SFI Research Professor of Physics, Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Devices, Trinity College, Dublin
• Dr Carl Picconatto, Lead Scientist, Nanosystems Group, MITRE
• Dr Brian Lowans, Team Leader, Quantum and Micro Photonics, QinetiQ
• Dr Daniel Watts, Executive Director, York Center for Environmental Engineering and Science, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
• Dr Lukas Rohr, Head of EMPA Thun, EMPA, Switzerland
• Philippe Van Nedervelde, Executive Director Europe, Foresight Nanotechnology Institute
• Dr Ayman El-Fatatry, Development Manager, Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC), Advanced Technology Centre, BAE SYSTEMS

The conference will be chaired by:

• Dr David Tolfree, European Vice-President, Micro and Nanotechnology Education Foundation (MANCEF)

Benefits of Attending Military Nanotechnology include:

• EXPAND your knowledge of ongoing nanotechnology research programmes in sensors, surveillance, computation and combatant survivability
• IDENTIFY the key defence areas nanotechnology will impact upon and transform
• ASSESS current and proposed tri-service research initiatives
• MAXIMISE your organisation's ability to keep pace with the approaching defence revolution
• NETWORK and connect with military, academic and industry leaders who are shaping the future of military nanotechnology