UAlbany NanoCollege hosts 150 leaders and executives in clean energy for launch of 'Entrepreneurial Boot Camp' series

(Nanowerk News) In response to the national call to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and companies outlined most recently by President Obama during his State of the Union address, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany today launched a new initiative designed to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the growing renewable energy market.
More than 150 entrepreneurs and executives from renewable energy companies and organizations throughout New York were on hand for the initial installment of the inaugural "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp," a six-part series presented by CNSE's Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center ("E2TAC"). The initiative is part of CNSE's Incubators for Collaborating & Leveraging Energy and Nanotechnology, or iCLEAN, incubator supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ("NYSERDA"), with additional support for the series from the National Science Foundation's Partnerships for Innovation program.
Energy storage was the topic of discussion at the initial forum, including leading-edge technologies to increase storage capabilities and to enable efficient and targeted energy distribution, while meeting peak consumer demands. Future sessions focus on some of the hottest areas in clean energy, including photovoltaics, energy efficiency, cleantech start-ups, legal and policy issues for cleantech businesses, and cyber-security for smart grid.
"We are delighted to kick off the Entrepreneurial Boot Camp series as a means of supporting and growing New York's clean energy economy," said Dr. Pradeep Haldar, CNSE Professor and Head of Nanoengineering and Director of CNSE's E2TAC. "With the support of NYSERDA and the National Science Foundation, we look forward to providing vital information and resources that will further underscore New York's commitment to building a dynamic green energy economy."
"We're proud to partner with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to help encourage New York's next generation of clean-energy entrepreneurs," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "These young, energetic business leaders are exactly what this state needs to help grow its clean-energy economy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels."
Panelists for the initial "Entrepreneurial Boot Camp" included Mark McGough, President and CEO of Ioxus, Inc.; James Groelinger , Executive Director, Clean Energy Alliance; Glen Merfeld, Platform Leader, Energy Storage Technologies, GE Global Research; Karim Zaghib, Administrator, Energy Storage and Conversion, Hydro-Québec Research Institute ("IREQ"); Shaun Johnson, Manager of Energy Markets, New York Independent System Operator ("NYISO"); and Unnikrishnan, CNSE Assistant Professor of Nanoeconomics.
About CNSE
The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world. With over $7 billion in high-tech investments, the 800,000-square-foot complex attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site, from companies including IBM, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Toshiba, Samsung, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML, Novellus Systems, Vistec Lithography and Atotech. An expansion currently in the planning stages is projected to increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex to over 1,250,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure housing over 105,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms and more than 3,750 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.
About E2TAC
The Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) was created in 1998. It was established as an active expansion of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering to work with companies in the rapidly emerging energy and environmental industries. E2TAC provides a critical platform for CNSE to leverage its intellectual power base and state-of-the-art infrastructure to provide an applications-targeted resource supporting technology development, leading to the integration of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology in advanced energy and environmental applications. For more information, visit http://www.e2tac.org.
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.
Source: CNSE