Abstract
Sustainability is defined as the "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" according to the Brundtland Commission, 1983. Sustainability includes all aspects of the society, such as civil infrastructural systems, energy, environment, health, safety, life-cycle analyses, etc. There are many challenges and barriers for sustainability. In addition new technologies such as nano and bio engineering play a key role in achieving sustainability.
According to the late Nobel laureate Rick Smalley, one of the most challenging problems is the integration and interface between wet (biological) and dry (structural) materials. Nano and bio science and engineering is one of the frontiers in transformative and translational research. Nano technology is a very efficient way in the creation of new materials, devices and systems at the molecular level, to achieve desirable macroscopic properties. The transcendent technologies include nanotechnology, microelectronics, information technology and biotechnology as well as the enabling and supporting mechanical and civil infrastructure systems and smart materials. These technologies are the primary drivers of the new economy in a modern society as well as achieving optimal sustainability.
Nano science and engineering has many useful applications in all aspects of our lives, improving the qualities and sustainability of everyday life. In 2008, Mike Roco et al estimated that in the U.S. alone, based on the 1.5B Federal R&D funding combined with the 1.9B from industry, it will translate to 70B in products, 140,000 new jobs and 14B in taxes. Bio sensing, drug delivery systems, modeling and simulation, environmental and health concerns are also some of the challenging areas. The translational research on sustainability and impact of nano and bio science and engineering on a modern society will be presented and discussed.
About the Speaker
Prof Ken P. Chong, P.E. has been the Engineering Advisor and Director of Mechanics and Materials for the past 21 years at the National Science Foundation [NSF]. Currently he is associated with NIST and the George Washington University. In addition to managing 130 university research projects in mechanics/materials at NSF, he has been involved in the development of model-based simulation, durability and accelerated tests, life-cycle engineering, nano science and engineering, and other initiatives; and established the NSF Summer Institute on Nano Mechanics/Materials at Northwestern University. He earned his PhD in Mechanics from Princeton University. He specializes in solid-mechanics/materials, nano-mechanics, and structural mechanics.
Prior to joining NSF, he was a professor for 18 years during which he pioneered the R&D of architectural sandwich-panels; developed new semi-circular fracture specimens for brittle materials. His experimental research on sweet spots in the 70’s changed the design of tennis rackets. He has given more than 50 keynote lectures, received awards including the fellow of AAM, ASME, SEM, USACM and ASCE; Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award; Honorary Doctorate, Shanghai University; Distinguished Member, ASCE; NCKU Distinguished Alumnus Award; and the NSF highest Distinguished Service Award. He has been a visiting professor at MIT, University of Washington at Seattle, University of Houston; honorary professor at HKU, HKPU, Dalian U of Technology and others.
|
