N.C.'s 'Nanocosm' Draws Major Confab Aug. 28-31

Small things are coming to Greensboro in a big package later this month

Known as COMS 2011, the 16th annual Commercialization of Micro-Nano Systems international conference is an opportunity for people involved in nanotechnology commercialization to share ideas and make important connections.

The event runs Sunday, August 28 through Thursday, August 31 at Greensboro’s Grandover Resort.

The Center of Innovation for NanoBiotechnology (COIN) recruited the conference to North Carolina because the state is increasingly recognized as a hotbed of nano activity.

Greensboro's a natural for this global nano convention

Greensboro has become a nanotech focal point as the home of the newly opened $65 million Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, a unique graduate-level research and educational collaboration of two the University of North Carolina-system schools:  the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University. The campus is in the Gateway University Research Park, not far from the COMS gathering.  

North Carolina has 35 nanotech university research centers and more than 80 nanobiotechnology and nanotechnology companies, such as Advanced Liquid Logic, Semiconductor Research Corporation, Coventor, RF Micro Devices and MEMSCAP.

COIN, a product of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Center of Innovation program, has reported that no other region in the world compares to North Carolina as a highly concentrated hub of so-called micro-nano technology action.

COIN has created a partnering session for entrepreneurs attending the conference. Called NanoMatchGlobal, the session provides access to VIPs from at least 20 major companies such as Cisco, Novo Nordisk, GlaxoSmithKline, PPD, the North Carolina  Aerospace Alliance, Liquidia, STI, TIMCO, RTI International, Pappas Ventures and many more.

Speakers will include national and international leaders in the field, from business, academia, and federal and state governments.  Conference topics include venture capital, technology transfer and uses of nano and MEMS in biotech, energy, transportation, microelectronics and other industries.

COMS linked to 250 jobs at Semprius factory in Vance County

One direct benefit from last year’s conference is solar energy company Semprius’ recent announcement that it’s building a factory that will create more than 250 jobs in Vance County.

The technology behind Semprius' solar panels was presented at the 2010 COMS Conference by keynote speaker John Rodgers, Ph.D., from the University of Illinois. Since then, the technology has led to a $500,000 McArthur genius grant for Rodgers, a strategic investment in Semprius by Siemens and a $25 million round of venture capital, which includes Intersouth Partners of Durham.

"This is a very friendly conference with many receptions, a golf tournament, a pre-conference entrepreneur workshop and a low-cost chance to meet global leaders in your industry that are coming to your backyard," said Jim Roberts, COIN's director of business development.

"We invite you to join us and ask you to invite your industry friends to come to Greensboro to enjoy a great international business-development opportunity --  with a little fun on the side."