PODCAST: Nanotech conference highlights

UPDATED: See below for new audio

The Fifth International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AMN-5) opens this week in Wellington.

Image credit: Ojas Mahapatra, U Canterbury

Organised every two years by the MacDiarmid Institute, the conference attracts scientists from over 50 countries to discuss the latest developments in materials science and nanotech.

Speakers include Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Anthony Leggett, awarded for “pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids”. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity. A century on, it remains an area of intensive research.

The Science Media Centre was invited along to record a few highlights from the opening plenary session.

**NEW** Sir Richard Friend’s public talk – “Exploring the creative tensions between science and technology”

Prime Minister John Key’s opening address —

Prof Richard Blaikie (Director of MacDiarmid Institute), Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh (VUW), and Professor Sir Anthony Leggett’s keynote address —

Prof Brian Korgel (UT Austin) on nanowires —

Prof David Williams (U of Auckland) on low-cost air quality sensors —

Prof Gordon Wallace (U Wollongong) on organic bionics – building a nano-scale interface with nerve cells —