Global Challenges - Opportunities for Nanotechnology

As a key technology of this century, nanotechnology will play a leading role in the development of solutions for the global challenges. The upcoming threatening problems, which in turn pose rewarding research opportunities, will engross the current generation of young scientists. Their interdisciplinary education will allow them to tackle these challenges ahead.

The Swiss Nanoscience Institute in Basel, the ETH Zurich and the Center for NanoScience (CeNS) in Munich have started a joint effort to address this urgent issue by inviting 70 junior scientists to the island of San Servolo in the Laguna of Venice on April 15-18 for an intense workshop entitled “Global challenges- opportunities for nanotechnology”. The group will consist of advanced PhD students and postdoctoral researchers coming from all over the world.

The first goal of this meeting is to foster the awareness for the global challenges by an analysis of the current major problems by this group of junior scientists. Since every change will require internationally consorted efforts, the initiation of a network amongst these scientists, which will sculpture our scientific and technological future, seems to be essential. The formation of such a network of junior scientists will be another goal of this workshop. In a final round the junior researchers will identify key problems where nanotechnology can provide solutions. Our hope is that powerful networks composed of these junior scientists will form to tackle the most urgent projects in the near future.

Download workshop presentation (PDF, 0.5 MB)
Download Report of Global Challenges Workshop 2008 (PDF, 6 MB)

About 70 international PhD students and PostDocs working in the field of nanotechnology. 

1. Identify global challenges
   From gofer’s perspective of the lab to eagle’s view of the world!
2. Identify where nanoscience can contribute to solutions
   Convergence with other technologies with the goal to develop sustainable low-key technologies.
3. Formation of a world-wide junior nanoscientist network
   Direct personal contact will make joint projects possible, which otherwise might be stuck in the mud-holes of bureaucracy.

The conference takes place on the tiny island San Servolo in front of the historic center of Venice.

Traveling by air
Multiple airlines offer flights to Marco Polo International Airport at Venice. There are several services that run from the airport to Venice, but the easiest way is via the Alilaguna waterbus service. Tickets cost €15.00 one-way and can be purchased in the arrival hall of the airport, directly on board (+ 1.00 €) or online at reduced rates. Boats leave hourly. For timetables and further information visit Alilaguna. To reach San Servolo directly from the airport, take the blue line (Linea Blu) to "San Zaccaria" and change to Line No. 20 which leaves from "San Zaccaria Monumento" boat stop. Please consult the timetable available online.

Traveling by train or bus 
To reach San Servolo from the train station and Piazzale Roma (bus station), take vaporetto Route 1, 2, 4.1 or 5.1 (4.1 and 5.1 are faster) and get off at the "San Zaccaria" boat stop. At "San Zaccaria" change to line No. 20 which leaves from "San Zaccaria Monumento" boat stop. ACTV tickets (single ticket €7.00) are available at the boat stop in front of the train station. Please consult the timetables online.  

All participants will be accommodated on the island of San Servolo. We have reserved single and twin rooms. Each room has a private bathroom. The Reception is open from 8.30 am to 8 pm. There is also a night porter on duty from 8 pm to 8.30 am.

Meals will be provided during the workshop.