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Nanotechnology Colloquium
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Colloquium Date: Monday, June 16, 2008
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A bi-weekly event to present and discuss issues related to developments, applications and commercialization of nanotechnology.
"Applications of Photocatalysis"
Dr. J. Anthony (Tony) Byrne
University of Ulster
Ireland
(VIDEO CONFERENCED FROM NORTHEN IRELAND)
Abstract:
Semiconductor photoelectrochemistry, when applied to the decontamination of water, air and surfaces is usually referred to as photocatalysis. As the name implies, the rate of a thermodynamically favourable reaction is increased in the presence of light and a catalyst e.g. the oxidation of organic pollutants. The most common photocatalyst material employed for air and water remediation is titanium dioxide (TiO2) because it is photocatalytically active, photochemically stable, chemically stable, non-toxic and inexpensive. However, TiO2 is a wide band semiconductor and requires UV light for excitation. This somewhat limits the solar efficiency but around 5% of the solar spectrum is UV. The Photocatalysis Research Group at the University of Ulster has been researching a number of different applications of photocatalysis which involves the use of nanostructured TiO2 mostly employed as immobilised films. Applications include the decontamination of water containing priority pollutants e.g. endocrine disrupting chemicals, disinfection of water containing pathogenic microorganisms, decontamination of medical devices and surfaces. In addition, the group has an active research programme toward the development of novel nanomaterials e.g. titania nanotubes, for photocatalytic and photosynthetic applications.
Bio: J. Anthony (Tony) Byrne BSc DPhil MRSC
Dr Byrne was appointed as Lecturer in Nanotechnology in 2005 in the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) and is a core member of the Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Research Institute (UoA 29). He took over from Dr Brian Eggins as Head of the Photocatalysis Research Group at Ulster when Brian retired back in 2002. Byrne obtained a 1st Class Hons Degree in Applied Biochemical Sciences from Ulster in 2003 and went on to study for his PhD in Chemistry at Ulster under the supervision of Dr Eggins, graduating in 1997. Since then he has worked on a range of projects involving the photocatalytic treatment and purification of water, photoelectrolytic water splitting using solar energy, and the decontamination of surfaces. He teaches Nanotechnology to undergraduate and postgraduate Engineers. Dr Byrne is Secretary to the Royal Society of Chemistry Northern Ireland Section Trust and a Committee member of the RSC Photochemistry Special Interest Group. He is also a member of the Department of Health (UK) Decontamination Working Group and a member of the EPSRC funded UK Photocatalysis Network.
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VENUE: You may attend the presentation from any
one of these law offices of Winstead PC or from UT Dallas
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AUSTIN: Winstead PC
401 Congress Av., Ste 2100
Austin, TX 78701
512-370-2800
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COLLEGE STATION: Texas A&M University
Wisenbaker Building (WERC), Room #049,
College Station, TX 77843;
979-845-8912
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DALLAS: Winstead PC
5400 Renaissance Tower, 1201 Elm Street
Dallas, TX 75270; 214-745-5400
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HOUSTON: Winstead PC
1100 JPMorgan Chase Tower
600 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
713-650-8400
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SAN ANTONIO: Winstead PC
700 N. St Mary St., Ste 1900
San Antonio, TX 78205
210-277-6800
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THE WOODLANDS: Winstead PC
600 Town Center One
1450 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
281-681-5900
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Program begins at 11:30am with a complimentary lunch provided by Winstead PC.
Presentation begins at 12:00pm.
Event Coordinators:
Richard Fink 512-339-5020x130 dfink@appliednanotech.net
Max Roundhill 512-339-5020x120 roundhill@appliednanotech.net
Chairman: Dr. Zvi Yaniv
Registration deadline is Friday, June 13 at 5:00 PM Central.
To register, please send an email to Deepika Misra
dmisra@winstead.com with your preferred attendance location.
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NANOMATERIALS APPLICATION CENTER
Walt Trybula, Ph.D.
Director
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX
(512) 245-6062
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DVDs of selected presentations from previous
speakers are available for a small fee (contact
Max Roundhill mroundhill@appliednanotech.net)
NanoExpress, a monthly email newsletter, is
devoted to providing information on technological
advances, applications, and business news to
nanotechnology professionals. To subscribe, go to
the web link
http://www.txstate.edu/nac/nanoexpress.htmlx
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