2016 TAPPI International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials

Nano2016 Snapshot:

The 2016 International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials, was held in Grenoble, France.   Now in its 11th year, Nano2016 had 304 delegates from 31 countries, setting a record attendance for the conference.   There was a Buzz of Activities:  3-Keynote talks, 1-lunch sponsorship talk, Tour of Tec21 and Institute Carnot PolyNat, 2-workshops, 5-table top displays, 2-NanoDivision Awards, panel discussions, application roundtable discussion and product sample showcase, poster session with student poster competition, welcome reception,  Young Professional Mixer, conference dinner, and a technical program that highlighted over 110 technical presentations on production, characterization, applications and functionalization of renewable nanomaterials.

The "bubbles" of Grenoble

Nano2016 Highlights:

• Opening Keynote: The paper industry and the bioeconomy: shifting towards the post-petroleum economy.   Mr. de Galembert gave an insightful talk addressing the “bioeconomy” and its future role in the economy in regards to climate change, crisis recovery, de-industrialization and decreasing competitiveness of the Northern hemisphere developed economies.
• Keynote: Functional materials made with cellulose nanocrystals: Prof. Chris Weder gave an inspiring talk on how cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are not only attracting growing interest as low-cost filler to reinforce polymers, but also how these nanoparticles permit the design of advanced materials that offer new functions.
• Keynote: Regulation of Nanoscale Chemical Substances in the United States: Dr. Maria Doa reviewed the comprehensive regulatory approach being pursued by the US EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act to ensure that nanoscale forms of chemical substances are manufactured and used in a manner that protects against unreasonable risks to human health and the environment.
• Keynote: Four Funerals and a Wedding: The Story of FiberLean Technologies.  This was a sponsored Keynote talk by FiberLean who were the Gold Sponsor of Nano2016.  Mr. Paris Kyriacopoulos, CEO, FiberLean Technologies, gave an insightful talk about issues and challenges of the development of FiberLean and expanding this technology to commercial production.  
• 3-track program: For the first time the NANO conference included a three track program throughout the event.
• Tours of Tec 21 and Institute Carnot PolyNat: A sold out event, in which 80 conference attendees toured both:  The Tec 21 research community a group of 7 research laboratories/centers specializing in mechanical and process engineering, and the Institute Carnot PolyNat is dedicated to the eco-production of high-added-value functional biosourced materials.
• NanoDivision Gala Event:  A sold out event, in which 120 conference attendees braved the “bubbles” of Grenoble and were taken into the air from the center of the town up to the Bastille fortress for a fabulous night of panoramic views, group photos, the NanoDivision Awards Ceremony, socializing and networking over dinner at restaurant Le Téléférique. 

Nano2016 Workshops:

• Fundamentals of Cellulose:  presented by Yoshiharu Nishiyama, CERMAV, Grenoble.  This workshop covered the chronological evolution on understanding of cellulose structure.
• Leveraging International Public-Private Partnerships:   This workshop addressed issues and processes required to advance the commercial production and use of cellulosic nanomaterial and how public-private partnerships can help develop pre-competitive or, in some instances, competitive underlying science, enabling technology, and other information to support this advancement.
• .

NanoDivison Award Recipients: [link]

• Technical Award & FiberLean^® Technologies Prize:  Presented to Alain Dufresne, Professor, Grenoble Institute of Technology
• Leadership & Service Award: Presented to Theodore H. Wegner, Assistance Director, USDA Forest Service, Forest Product Laboratory.

Nano2016 Documents:

• Conference Brochure