Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 21st World Nanotechnology Congress Dubai, UAE .

Submit your Abstract
or e-mail to

events@conferenceseries.com
rohit.casper@memeetings.net
nanotechcongress@memeetings.net

Scientific Program Day 1
Scientific Program Day 2
Scientific Program Day 3

Day 1 :

Keynote Forum

Omar Chaalal

Abu Dhabi University, UAE

Keynote: Innovation in oil: A smart green solution to enhance oil recovery

Time : 10:30-11:30

Conference Series Nanotechnology Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Omar Chaalal photo
Biography:

Omar Chaalal, PhD from New Castel upon Tyne England and M.S. Eng. from Stevens Institute of technology NJ USA, is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Abu Dhabi University ADU in the United Arab Emirates. Chaalal is an internationally renowned expert in the separation technologies. He is the inventor of the EnPro Process that deals with the sequestration of carbon dioxide and global warming reduction. He was the Chief Scientist of Enpro As, Norway. He has received a number of honorary degrees, recently August 2017, he has been honored with prestigious IAAM Scientist Medal of the year 2017 for notable and outstanding research in the advanced Material Science & Technology during the award ceremony held in Stockholm August 23rd, 2017. He has authored 60 refereed publications,3 European patents and over 300 presentations.

Abstract:

Satisfying worldwide energy demand in the 21st century is the most challenging problematic. New kinds of energy sources along with the new technological breakthroughs to maintain enough oil and gas supply are intensely needed to meet the incredible rise in world’s energy demand. Recent dramatic fall in oil prices has accentuated the problem. Now, the challenge is to fill out the increasing gap between energy demand and supply with more cost effective techniques. Recently, Abu Dhabi University has filed a patent application (US–Patent Application No 15/342,664) reporting the invention of Dr. Omar Chaalal that fulfi lls practically all criteria discussed above. In this paper, a “green substitute” to chemical flooding is proposed. Th e new technology proposed uses two types of plant extracts that increases the total oil recovery to 96% of initial
oil in place (IOIP) during the tertiary recovery mode. While water flood recovered around 50% of the IOIP, 0.5% wt of the natural plant extract recovered 77% in the secondary recovery mode. The additives were extracted from two plants available in the United Arab Emirates (Product A and Product B). Th ese natural extracts proved to be very eff ective in formations containing water with a salinity range of 70,000 to 180,000 ppm with temperature going up to 100o C.

Keynote Forum

Richard E Palmer

Swansea University, UK

Keynote: The route to nanomaterials manufacturing incorporating nanoparticle beam deposition
Conference Series Nanotechnology Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Richard E Palmer photo
Biography:

Richard E Palmer is a Senior Research Fellow in the College of Engineering, Swansea University and Professor at Nanjing University’s School of Physics. His research is focused on nanomaterials, including scale-up and atomic structure/dynamics. He has received awards which include the IOP Boys Medal, an Honorary Doctorate from Hasselt University, the BVC Yarwood Medal and an EPSRC Senior Fellowship. He is a Fellow of the IOP, RSC and LSW. He has published ~400 papers and about 20 families of patent applications. He is Editor-in-Chief of Advances in Physics: X and Editor of the Elsevier Book Series ‘Frontiers of Nanoscience’.

Abstract:

If we imagine a factory of the future in which nanoparticle beams are integrated into the production of advanced materials or devices, then a set of critical research challenges emerge for Cluster Beam Deposition (CBD). These include control of nanoparticle composition, size, quantity (scale-up), interaction with the support, response to the environment and performance validation. Th e prize is a set of applications ranging from water treatment and theranostics to catalysis and memristors. The cluster beam approach is green; it involves no solvents and no effluents; particles can be size-selected and challenging combinations of metals (nanoalloys) can readily be produced. Here we discuss four of these research challenges: Environment (temperature), scale-up, formulation engineering and Validation :(1) Environment: aberration-corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) is used to investigate the behavior of deposited clusters at elevated temperatures, including structural transformations and (core and surface) melting. (2) Scale-up: Industrial catalysis R&D typically requires a gram of catalyst or 10 mg of clusters at 1% loading on a suitable catalyst support. Th e Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS) is based on ion beam sputtering of a rare gas matrix into which metal atoms are pre-loaded. A scaleup of five orders of magnitude in cluster intensity has been achieved to date. (3) Formulation Engineering: We will discuss
several means by which size-controlled clusters may be presented in a form matching the desired functional application, e.g., catalysis and theranostics. Th ese examples of formulation engineering on the nanoscale include direct deposition of metal cluster beams onto powders. (4) Validation: Finally will illustrate the validation challenge to show that cluster-based functional materials are superior to more traditional advanced materials. We will focus on the hydrogenation (both gas and liquid phases) of organic molecules over or applications in the fine chemicals sector and on water splitting.

  • Nanotechnology and Environment | Nanomedicine | Nanotechnology|Nanoscience and Technology|Molecular Nanotechnology
Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
Speaker

Chair

Ncholu Manyala

University of Pretoria, South Africa

Session Introduction

Ahmed Abushomi

University of Oxford, UK

Title: Engagement strategy to transform nanotechnology based product from theories to the factory floor in the Middle East

Time : 13:45 - 14:15

Speaker
Biography:

Ahmed Abushomi pursing his Postgraduate studies in Nanotechnology at the University of Oxford and is also the Postgraduate Student Representative of
Nanotechnology at the University of Oxford. He has completed his Bachelor of Engineering from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the
University of Nottingham holding multiple professional certifi cates in innovation and leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was awarded a
professional certifi cate in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies from Stanford University

Abstract:

This study is to present a case commonly seen across industries, where there are several innovative ideas represented that are never reached successfully to the market. There are key factors contributing to this case, a relevant analysis is conducted and then strategic recommendations are given based on the results observed. The aim is to enable investors, governments and decision makers in major companies to visualize the full potential of nanotechnology and understand the missing key in industries that inhibit such transformation. The challenges start by recruiting the right talents to work towards nanotechnology
innovations, this begin from education at higher institutes, schools and organizations and touch on various factors beyond that. In the Middle East, there are multiple nanotechnology patents, few companies have established commercialization of nanotechnology products, the toxicity and regulations of nanomaterials is still uncertainty and R&D spending low. However, some examples are seen but are not yet to be successfully commercialized. Therefore, developing commercialization plan of products, monitoring of regulations and international standards, fostering R&D at academic and industrial level and developing the public engagement strategy are required. Th ese steps are essential which will allow industries to engage in the development
of nanotechnology product’s life cycle and provide effi cient solutions using this technology that will be presented to the market.In conclusion, there are real reasons for successful products that failed to reach the market. These will be encapsulated by giving recommendations which is adapted to demonstrate success in launching nanotechnology integrated products.

Junyuan Xu

International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Portugal

Title: Earth-abundant nano-catalysts for clean hydrogen fuel generation through water splitting

Time : 14:15 - 14:45

Speaker
Biography:

Junyuan Xu has completed his PhD degree from University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) in January 2014 with a thesis entitled “High performance oxygen evolution reaction catalyst in acid for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis”. During his PhD study, he has worked as a Scientifi c Visitor at Technical University of Denmark (DTU) for one year. In March 2014, he became a Post-doctorate Fellow at the Catalysis and Materials Division (CMD) of the Institute of Metal Research (IMR), Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the supervision of Professor Dangsheng Su, where his research focused on electrocatalytic mechanisms of carbon dioxide conversion using heteroatom doped nanocarbon electro-catalysts. He has joined Dr. Lifeng Liu’s group at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and is currently working as a Research Fellow on a Horizon 2020 project (CritCat) focusing on developing non-precious earth-abundant electro-catalysts for hydrogen/oxygen evolution reactions.

Abstract:

Hydrogen (H2) has been proposed to be a clean and carbon-neutral energy carrier that can be used as next-generation fuel to fulfill both stationary and transportation needs. Compared to steam reforming, electro-catalytic water splitting represents a greener and more sustainable way for H2 generation and has been intensively investigated in recent years. The Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) has been a bottleneck to improve water splitting effi ciency. It involves four concerted proton-coupled electron transfer steps and is both thermodynamically and kinetically demanding. Without a catalyst, the OER
usually takes place at a high over-potential leading to a large energy loss. Compared to the OER, the H2 Evolution Reaction (HER) can be accomplished comparatively easily, but efficient electro-catalysts are still needed to reduce the over-potential for HER and enable the reaction to take place at a practically high rate. Lately, earth-abundant transition metal based electrocatalysts
have been demonstrated to be highly active for both HER and OER and are proposed to be promising alternatives to Platinum Group Metal (PGM) catalysts for use in water electrolysers. In this study, we showed our recent efforts to developing efficient and durable transition metal based electrocatalysts, including transition metal phosphides obtained by wet chemical reduction followed by post-phosphorization treatment and cobalt ultrafi ne clusters prepared by cluster beam deposition. We have demonstrated that all these catalysts show electro-catalytic performance favorably compared to PGM based electrocatalysts for HER or OER and therefore hold substantial promise for use as low-cost catalysts in water electrolysers.

Yaw Opoku Damoah

The University of Queensland, Australia

Title: Nanotheranostic lipoprotein-inspired zinc oxide-bound paclitaxel for enhanced anticancer photochemotherapy

Time : 14:45- 15:15

Speaker
Biography:

Yaw Opoku Damoah has completed his BSc from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He is a Graduate of the China Pharmaceutical University where he has pursued Postgraduate studies in Pharmaceutics. As part of his national service, he has worked with the Import and Export Control Department of the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana. His research is focused on nanotechnology, drug delivery and theranostics. He is specifically interested in the use of nano-theranostics for site-specific delivery and diagnosis. He is currently a PhD (Pharmaceutics) candidate at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbance, Queensland, Australia.

 

Abstract:

With the emergence of nanotechnology, there is a pressing need for novel bio-friendly drug delivery systems which are capable of eliminating all the constraints related to traditional treatment regimens. Driven by this need, this work encompasses drug targeting via reconstituted High-Density Lipoproteins (rHDL), chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and in vitro nano-inspired theranostics. Herein, we successfully fabricated zinc oxide-bound paclitaxel (ZnO/PTX) and packaged the photo-chemotherapeutic formulation into rHDLs via one-pot synthesis. The final rHDL mediated ZnO/PTX nanomedicine (rHDL/ZnO/PTX) shared a characteristic near-spherical shape and FTIR analysis proved that ZnO was successfully bound to PTX via hydrogen bonding. The PTX and ZnO drug release pattern was analyzed by HPLC and ICP-OES analysis, respectively. The results suggested that ZnO could remain intact in neutral medium but could gradually dissolve in acidic media to trigger the collapse of the nanoparticle. The in vitro antitumor efficacy on A549 cells was evaluated by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The final nanoparticle irradiated with UV light proved to be the most efficient treatment group. This was further confirmed by the quantitative and qualitative detection of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which indicates the apoptotic ability. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to detect the presence of ROS and the resulting images suggested that rHDL/ZnO/PTX could produce significant quantities of ROS. Flow cytometry analysis was employed to confirm that the fluorescence was more conspicuous in cells that were irradiated with UV light as compared to those without UV irradiation. We further employed flow cytometry to evaluate the existence of apoptotic and necrotic cells after a period of treatment. Moreover, ZnO fluorescence was adapted to track intracellular trafficking, suggesting that rHDL/ZnO/PTX could be harnessed for UV light-mediated photo-chemotherapy while apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) could help facilitate the shuttling of drugs into cancer cells via SR-BI receptors. In addition, we demonstrated that ZnO could be used as a potential in vitro theranostic moiety which could mediate photodynamic therapy and pH-responsive drug delivery.

 

Yahia Fayiz Makableh

Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Title: Substrate and annealing temperature effects on GaAs PN junction solar cells

Time : 15:15 - 15:45

Speaker
Biography:

Yahia Fayiz Makableh has completed his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2015. Currently he is an Assistant Professor and the Supervisor of the central labs in the Institute of Nanotechnology at Jordan University of Science and Technology. His research is focused on investigating nobel optical nanomaterials for high efficiency solar cells and energy harvesting. He also works on self-cleaning surfaces and light weight and high strength nanocomposites. He has published several papers in the field of solar cells and optical nanomaterials.

 

Abstract:

High efficiency solar cells are of a wide interest worldwide due to the higher demand on renewable energy resources. Optimizing the design and fabrication of any type of solar cells is a vital process to minimize any loses due to fabrication limitations and errors. In this work the effect of the optimization of the annealing process was studied. Two scenarios were experimentally investigated in the first scenario the substrate temperature was help at elevated temperature than room temperature without post annealing. In the second scenario a post annealing process was performed by using RTA technique. As a result, the substrate heating during metal contact deposition by using E-beam evaporation enhanced single junction GaAs solar cells power conversion efficiency by up to 25% compared to the case of post annealing. This result is obtained by the J-V characterization of different single junction GaAs solar cells for both annealing processes.

 

 

Shree Laxmi Prashant

Manipal Institute of Technology, India

Title: Nano materials for densifying the concrete microstructure and improving strength and durability

Time : 15:45- 16:15

Speaker
Biography:

Shree Laxmi Prashant has her expertise in the fields of concrete technology. She has a passion in trying out new and innovative methods of designing the concrete to optimize the performance of concrete. She has been working on High Volume flyash concrete, Geopolymer concrete and use of industrial, plastic and C&D waste as filler materials for concrete. Presently guiding one Phd Student (under QIP scheme), one Mtech and 6 Btech students for their project on the theme of Sustainable development in concrete using various non biodegradable waste including ewaste. Developing geopolymer concrete in order to minimize the use of cement in concrete to reduce the carbon foot print. The paper entitled “Effect of partial replacement of coarse aggregates by E waste on strength properties of Concrete” has been awarded as Best Technical paper at International Conference on Sustainable construction and building materials at NITK Surathkal June 18-22 2018.

 

Abstract:

Microstructure plays a vital role in defining the strength and durability performance of concrete. The study of mechanism taking place at a nanoscale especially the hydrated cement paste helps to engineer the concrete in a well-defined and systematic way. This helps in improving the microstructural properties of concrete in the interfacial transitional zone. Nanoparticles also densify the concrete by occupying the spaces between the cement particles. This reduces the porosity of the cement paste. Nanoparticles are usually added in small amounts about 1-2% of the cement content in concrete. The shape and amount of nanoparticles can be tailored in order to optimize the performance of concrete to suit various projects. This paper reports the state of the art in use of nanoparticles in concrete.