Recipient Organization
GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCES, INC
512 LIBERTY LN
WEST KINGSTON,RI 02892-1502
Performing Department
Biol. & Environ. Engineering
Non Technical Summary
Nanotechnology has become a significant focus for federal investment in research and development. Given that discoveries in nanotechnology are leading to significant advances in agricultural sciences, engineering and food sciences, the initiation of a Gordon Research Conference is very timely and, in fact, has been accepted for the a GRC in this area on June 7-12, 2015 at Bentley University. Such advances have the potential to revolutionize our agriculture and food systems in many facets, including safety, productivity, food processing, livestock management, crop/soil management, health and nutrition, and bioenegry. Along with technical advances, questions regarding environmental effects, human, and animal toxicology, consumer acceptance, impact on structure of agriculture and regulatory concerns remain largely unaddressed. Recognizing that research and development in this area is only ten years young, it is an exceedingly opportune time to bring scientists and engineers, postdocs and graduate students together to discuss advances and future directions.Objectives of GRC:1) To bring together experts in the field to discuss cutting edge research and for scientists/engineers to meet to discuss advances and future directions and needs in the field of nanotechnology for food and agriculture.2) To identify cutting-edge, unpublished research in the field of nanotechnology likely to advance agriculture and food systems.3) To identify the greatest opportunities for funding in this area.4) To identify emerging opportunities in the area of nanotechnology that will have the greatest impact in addressing global challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, food safety and agricultural productivity.Some examples with a focus in nanotechnology include: "re-engineering" of crops, animals and microbes at the genetic and cellular level; nano-biosensors for identification of pathogens, toxins and bacteria in foods; identification systems for tracking animal and plant materials from origination to consumption; development of nanotechnology-based foods with lower calories and with less fat, salt and sugar while retaining flavor and texture; integrated systems for sensing, monitoring and active response intervention for plant and animal production; "smart field systems" to detect, locate, report and direct application of water; precision and controlled release of fertilizers and pesticides; development of plants that exhibit drought resistance and tolerance to salt and excess moisture; and nanoscale films for food packaging and contact materials that extend shelf life, retain quality and reduce cooling requirements. One cannot overemphasize the challenge of the intellectual effort to meet the challenges and needs of the approximate 9 billion humans for food, water and energy within a sustainable environment in the future.
Animal Health Component
10%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
70%
Applied
10%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
The goal of this Gordon Research Conference is to establish a scientific forum for researchers of Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems to present and discuss cutting edge, unpublished research with other experts in the field. Further, the goal of the GRC is to foster discussion about needs and opportunities for research directions and areas, as well as funding in the future. Advancing work in nanotechnology for agriculture and food systems will have significant impact in addressing global challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, food safety and agricultural productivity.Objectives of GRC:1) To bring together experts in the field to discuss cutting-edge research and for scientists/engineers to meet to discuss advances and future directions and needs in the field of nanotechnology for agriculture and food.2) To identify cutting-edge, unpunlished research in the field of nanotechnology likely to advance agriculture and food systems.3) To identify the greatest opportunities for funding in this area.4) To identify emerging opportunities in the area of nanotechnology that will have the greatest impact in addressing global challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, food safety and agricutural productivity.
Project Methods
Since the original USDA Workshop on Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food Systems in November 2002 in Washington DC (Scott and Chen, 2003) there have been 631 applications submitted to the USAD/NIFA grants program in nanotechnology from FY 2004 to FY 2014, Thus, even with some duplicate applications over these 13 years there is a very robust list of persons interested in the subject, which forms a strong group to invite to the GRC. Lists of project reviewers that have served on the NIFA review panels over the past decade form a specific target sub-group. Also, an additional list of 300 persons has been identified with interests in nanotechnology for agriculture and food. There is some overlap across these lists but clearly the list to invite is large. It is anticipated that the GRC will be able to attract approximately 150 attendees.A key national/international announcement of this GRC was in the February 20, 2015 issue of Science. In addition to the GRC website, the program has been be posted on the SNO (Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization) website and in their newsletter, and submitted for posting on the USDA, NSF, NIH, EPA and NNCO (National Nanotechnology Coordinating Office) websites. An email with the finalized program was sent to the APLU (Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities) for posting on their website and a message sent to the member universities.In addition the GRC site has an extensive list of diversity resources with identified contacts which support easy access.. These have been contacted individually and include groups and societies representing: Hispanics, African Americans, graduate women in science, Mexican Americans, Native American Indians, national postdoctoral association, minorities in engineering, black physicists, black engineers and women in science.