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September 21, 2009
Alberta and Texas combine nanotech expertise to advance clean energy efforts
Memorandum of understanding builds on Premier's work with Texas
Edmonton... Two of North America’s leading nanotechnology research centres are combining their expertise to advance work on clean energy development.
“In both Alberta and Texas energy is our foundation, and technology and innovation are our future,” said Premier Stelmach. “Combining the energy and nanotechnology expertise of teams in Alberta and Texas could help bring about energy technology solutions that haven’t even been considered yet.”
As a follow up to two recent missions to Texas, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Houston’s Rice University aimed at making energy industries greener. The MOU involves William Marsh Rice University’s Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, through nanoAlberta (the province’s coordinating organization for nanotechnology activity).
The agreement encourages collaboration on projects that can:
- enhance sustainable energy development;
- lead to development of clean technologies; and
- improve efficiency in renewable energy technologies and applications of nanoscience.
“The extraordinary scholars and researchers of the Smalley Institute of Rice University are developing advanced nanoscale technologies to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems,” said David Leebron, President of Rice University. “Collaborating with nanoAlberta of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology has great potential to benefit North America and the rest of the world with new solutions to energy and related environmental challenges.”
“The Houston area and the cities of Alberta have much in common, and we believe this relationship will lead to important joint projects and deep research relationships.”
The MOU grows out of Premier Stelmach’s missions to Texas in 2008 and 2009, where he met with Texas Governor, Rick Perry and business leaders, visited Rice University and the Smalley Institute. During these missions, the Premier discussed Alberta’s commitment to clean technologies, like carbon capture and sequestration and the role other technologies, like nanotechnology, can play in the greater energy equation.
Nanotechnology could influence the whole the spectrum of energy recovery and use from reducing energy inputs during production, reducing water use, enhancing tailings remediation, reducing emissions from coal, improving the efficiency of solar energy cells and more.
Alberta and Rice University are currently collaborators in, and supporters of, the International Council on Nanotechnology ‘GoodNanoGuide’ for Occupational Health and Safety best practices.
Backgrounder: Alberta and Texas collaborate in nanotechnology
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Earl McKenzie, Public Affairs Officer,
Advanced Education and Technology
780-415-0891
earl.mckenzie@gov.ab.ca
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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Alberta and Texas collaborate in nanotechnology
Alberta’s strategy for nanotechnology
Alberta’s strategy for nanotechnology is successfully addressing three areas:
- Growing, developing and creating new businesses and entrepreneurs that commercialize nanotechnology solutions.
- Building, attracting and retaining world-class, quality talent.
- Taking advantage of, and enhancing and developing, Alberta’s nanotechnology infrastructure and intellectual capital resources to capture its commercial potential and applications.
The Alberta Nanotechnology Strategy is guiding continued growth in opportunities for Alberta to participate in the global nanotechnology market. Alberta aims to generate $20 billion in nanotechnology commerce by 2020. The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) was established in Alberta in 2001 to build on decades of ground-breaking research in the area of advanced materials.
Key Partners in the Memorandum of Understanding
nanoAlberta
nanoAlberta works with industry, researchers and investors to help build Alberta's nanotechnology industry and apply the benefits of nanotechnology in the energy and environment, health and bioindustry sectors.
The Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology
The world’s first nanotechnology research centre was founded at Rice University by Professor Richard E. Smalley. Its mission is to actively support and promote researchers using nanotechnology to tackle civilization’s grand challenges - energy, water, environment, disease, education.
Rice University
Rice University is one of the America’s leading research universities. The university aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching and contributions to the betterment of our world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Earl McKenzie, Public Affairs Officer,
Advanced Education and Technology
780-415-0891
earl.mckenzie@gov.ab.ca
To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
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