One scientist is developing breakthrough electronic sutures and medical implants that dissolve when their jobs are done. Another is a pioneer in the field of energy conversion that could lead to development of high-performance solar cells and new types of electronic devices that could integrate into the body.
They are the featured speakers of The Kavli Foundation lectures at the 247th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), which will take place in Dallas from March 16 to 20, 2014. ACS announced today that John A. Rogers, Ph.D., and Emily A. Weiss, Ph.D., will deliver the lectures at the meeting. Thousands of scientists and others are expected for the event, which will include more than 10,000 reports on new discoveries in science and other topics.
Rogers is the Swanlund Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Director of the Seitz Materials Research Laboratory. He will deliver "The Kavli Foundation Innovations in Chemistry Lecture" on Monday, March 17, 2014, at 5:30 p.m., at the Dallas Convention Center.
Rogers is forging new territory in electronics. His team is engineering nanoscale, ultra-thin, sophisticated electronics that are also biodegradable, such as "electroceutical" bacteriocides designed to kill harmful bacteria at surgical sites before they can cause infection. He has published more than 400 papers and is an inventor on more than 80 patents.
Weiss is the Irving M. Klotz Research Professor at Northwestern University. She will deliver "The Kavli Foundation Emerging Leader in Chemistry Lecture" on Monday, March 17, 2014, at 4 p.m., at the Dallas Convention Center.
Weiss studies electronic processes in colloidal, semiconductor and metal nanoparticles, which are so small that thousands could fit in the period at the end of this sentence. Her goal is to understand how energy gets converted from one class to another, for example, from light to heat. This new knowledge could lead to novel nanostructures for new types of solar cells and bio-electronic devices.
The two lectures, which are held at every ACS national meeting, are a result of collaboration between ACS and The Kavli Foundation, an internationally recognized philanthropic organization known for its support of basic scientific innovation.
"The Kavli Foundation Innovations in Chemistry Lecture" series debuted at the Anaheim meeting in March 2011. They address the urgent need for vigorous, new, "outside-the-box" thinking, as scientists tackle many of the world's mounting challenges, like climate change, emerging diseases, and water and energy shortages.
"The Kavli Foundation Emerging Leader in Chemistry Lecture" series recognizes the achievements of outstanding young chemical scientists. These presentations feature exceptional scientists younger than 40 years old and not more than 10 years removed from earning their Ph.D.s when nominated.
"The Foundation is delighted to be partnering with ACS on a program dedicated to young scientists pioneering their fields," said The Kavli Foundation President Robert W. Conn, Ph.D. "Through their work, we are pushing the boundaries of science, which is essential to addressing global challenges and advancing science for the benefit of humanity."
2014 ACS President Thomas Barton, Ph.D., praised The Kavli Foundation for its support of the lectures and leadership on a broad range of other activities in advancing science. "The partnership between The Kavli Foundation and the American Chemical Society is an excellent fit," said Barton. "The Kavli lectures shine a spotlight on the best innovations happening right now in chemistry, and serve as motivation to scientists at all stages of their careers. These lectures have definitely become the highlight of ACS national meetings for me. I always go away inspired."
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