By Emily Hubbell

Above: Sergio Ulloa, Eric Stinaff, Art Smith and Horacio Castillo watch as a colleague presents his research. The retreat consisted of research discussions, larger business talks and social activities.

The hills of Pomeroy have never seen so much nanoscience.

NQPI members gathered this weekend for the institute’s 4th annual retreat, held at the Carpenter Inn in Pomeroy.  During their overnight, the scientists discussed their research, the present state of NQPI and possible future directions for the institute.

In previous years, the retreat was held at Burr Oak State Park in Glouster.  This year, Mala Braslavsky, the retreat coordinator and NQPI special events and outreach coordinator, decided on the Carpenter Inn, a conference center and resort nestled in the hills of Pomeroy.  Members took advantage of the natural landscape during a group walk and stayed in the center’s cabins Friday night.

Activities began Friday evening and lasted through Saturday afternoon. Director Art Smith led discussions on GERB funding, grant policies and the institute’s progress over the past year. Members brainstormed ideas for future conferences and discussed the possibility of a shared instrument facility. There was also talk about the new helium liquefier that NQPI has purchased and should receive by fall 2009.  

Seven members presented their research to their colleagues in brief technical sessions. These talks emphasized the interdisciplinary potential of nanoscience, connecting the field to research in chemistry, physics, electrical engineering and plant biology.  Presenters included Jeffrey Rack, Gang Chen, Allan Showalter, Horacio Castillo, Ralph Whaley, Eric Stinaff and Saw-Wai Hla.

Technical sessions and business discussions were supplemented by good food, good weather and ample social time. During free time, members from different college departments had the chance to meet each other. Many planted the seeds for collaboration with other members on future research.

Roxanne Male-Brune, director of grant development and projects, Joseph Shields, department chair of physics and astronomy and James Rankin, associate dean of research for graduate studies and planning, also attended the retreat.

For more pictures, visit the 'NanoGalley' portion of this Web site.