What: Nanotechnology: Small is Beautiful

Non member fees: $10 Advance Reg / $15 Door / $5 Student

Abstract:
Nanoscale materials have a great potential for positive societal impact. For example synthesized nanoscale materials and systems can be used to create innovative applications and technologies that solve problems in the biological, medical sciences. This program will highlight the essentials of nanoscale science, engineering, and technology including its history, societal importance and future implications and will discuss the interplay between nanoscale structures, properties and functions.

Speakers:
Mark A. Radner, PhD., Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry and CoDirector, Initiative for Sustainability and Energy, Northwestern University;
Milan Mrksich, PhD., Henry Wade Rogers Professor, Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University

Discounted parking will be made available at the 222 E. Huron St. garage: Parking Map

What: About Time: Cosmology and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang

Fees: $20 members / $30 non-members / $10 students

Abstract:
Times change, literally, for human culture and the Cosmos as a whole.

According to astrophysicist Adam Frank, specific human conceptions of time don’t last forever and our “modern” version is already in the midst of a radical change. In his new book, About Time, Dr. Frank argues that new ideas in cosmology are pushing the revolution in time to its final stage.

Just as a “clockwork universe” followed the invention of the clock 500 years ago, scientists are now moving beyond the Big Bang to talk about universes built from information pushing time into mind-boggling new territory. Imagine: An eternal “multi-verse” made of infinite, parallel universes with infinite versions of you, lots of little bangs but no big bang beginning, a string theory universe in 10 dimensions of ever-repeating cycles, or a universe where time doesn’t exist at all. It’s impossible to say which of these new ideas will become the foundation for a new time because the science is still in flux. We do know we’re living at the twilight of the Big Bang. It’s the end of time as we know it now and as we live it now.

Speaker:
University of Rochester Professor & Author Adam Frank

Topic Resources

Kirkus Book Review

npr.org Blogs: Adam Frank

History Channel’s Universe show

TEDxRochester talk

Washington Post book synopsis

New Scientist book synopsis

Adam Frank’s faculty page

What: China’s Clean Energy: Current Research, Development & Cooperation

Fees: $10 Advance Reg / $15 Door / $5 Student

Abstract:
Diplomats of the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago will discuss China’s current research and development program to produce energy in an environmentally benign fashion. The discussion will cover Chinese activities in the alternative energy arena including hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, clean coal and other green energy production endeavors. The program will also highlight China’s objectives and efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 2020 as well as China – US intergovernmental cooperation in clean energy production, particular attention paid to collaborative activities in the Greater Chicago area.

Speakers: Mr. Jianye Cao (Consul and Director of Science & Technology Office) and Mr. Qingqing Zhao (Consul) , Chinese Consulate General in Chicago

C2ST programs The Science & Policy of Obesity will be televised on CAN TV:

What: The Science of Obesity

When: Sunday, January 15th 2012 – 12:30am CAN TV channel 21

            Wednesday, January 18th 2012 – 8:00am CAN TV channel 19

            Tuesday, January 24th 2012 – 12:00pm CAN TV channel 21

***CAN TV’s channels are only shown on the three cable systems in the city limits of Chicago. The cable companies are Comcast, RCN and Wide Open West (WOW.)

Click here for more information on the Science of Obesity

Click here for more information on the Policy of Obesity

Mr. Ciezobka joined the Gas Technology Institute in 2010 and is engaged in well completion research across various US and international unconventional plays.  Mr. Ciezobka holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering along with a minor in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.   He began his career as a field engineer with Halliburton Energy Services in South Texas in their pressure pumping services, stimulating and cementing the S. Texas tight sands and shales such as the Vicksburg, Wilcox, Haynesville and Eagle-Ford.  In 5 years with Halliburton, Mr. Ciezobka held various technical positions and progressed to the position of technical advisor to Shell Oil Company in Houston Texas.  Mr. Ciezobka’s current focus is on the Marcellus gas shale research project with emphasis on hydraulic fracturing diagnostics and the impact of natural fractures on gas production.  In the meantime, he has an active role in GTI’s international technical activities.  Mr. Ciezobka’s most recent international project included the execution and optimization of a complex hydraulic stimulation treatment in the Amin tight sands in Oman.

Publications:

Ciezobka, J., 2011. Marcellus Shale Gas Project – A Topical Report: Stimulation and Completion.   Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, < http://rpsea.org/>.

Rodriquez, R., Hall, R., Pawlik, C.M., Ciezobka, J., 2011. Successful Control of Water Production in Slimhole Completions in Tight Gas Sandstone: South Texas Case Study.  SPE 142291.

Ciezobka, J., 2010. New Albany Shale Gas Project – A Topical Report.   Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America, < http://rpsea.org/>.

Presentations:

“Shale hydrofracture technology; lessons learned from different shale gas plays and tight sands”,

PTTC WORKSHOP: RPSEA-GTI Research on the New Albany Shale Gas Project in Indiana and Kentucky

“Marcellus Hydraulic Fracturing”, RPSEA Unconventional Gas Conference 2011: Technological Keys to Unlocking Additional Reserves

Mr. Smith identifies and develops opportunities for businesses, organizations, and governments to collaborate with GTI, providing value through GTI’s Energy Infrastructure R&D expertise.  He is active in global unconventional gas development in the areas of niche technology development, consulting, and training with an objective of increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of natural gas development from shale.  His significant focus is produced water management.  Mr. Smith’s recent accomplishments include:

• Launched a collaborative initiative in Europe to establish Sustainable Operating Practices through environmental road mapping and technology demonstrations.  Currently managing a project for the Polish Operators Association to benchmark best industry practices in the Marcellus Shale for minimizing the environmental impact of developing shale gas resources in Poland.
• Led an int’l joint-industry project of 19 companies, completed in May 2011, which assessed the technologies and economics of shale gas water management over the life cycle of resource development.
• Developed and currently securing commitments for a multi-client Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site and Experiment to be launched in 2013 and a Shale Gas Water Sustainability Program to be launched in 2012.

From 2008-2011, Mr. Smith was Business Development Manager

• Assisted in securing a multi-million dollar, multi-year confidential technology development contract with a major energy service company.
• Developed and negotiated a technology demonstration and deployment joint venture with a major energy service company and a coiled tubing drill rig manufacturer and operator.
• Planned and executed the Global Unconventional Gas conference in Amsterdam in 2010 and in Beijing, China in 2011.
• Created and currently managing the Global Unconventional Gas Group on LinkedIn with 1000+ members and the Gas Technology Institute Network with 400+ members.

Mr. Smith has authored or contributed to the following articles:

• “Unconventional Gas– a Chance for Poland and Europe? Analysis and Recommendations,” The Kosciuszko Institute. July 2011.
• “Synergies that Transform Risk into Opportunity,” Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC). June 2011.
• “Techno-economic Assessment of Water Management Solutions,” GTI, May 2011.
• “Collaboration and Technology Usher in an Era of Global Unconventional Gas,” IGU Magazine. International Gas Union, October 2010.
• “Collaboration key to enabling water management solutions,” E&P Magazine. Hart Energy Publishing, March 2010.

Mr. Smith has a multi-disciplinary background having worked in international trade and economic development for 10 years prior to coming to GTI.  He came to GTI having spent seven years with the Canadian Embassy in Chicago as Trade Commissioner.  Prior to that, Mr. Smith spent 3 years attracting direct capital investment projects for The North of England Investment Agency.  He is also a Returned U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer (Czech Republic, 1994-96).  Mr. Smith holds an International MBA from the University of South Carolina and Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (Vienna, AU), a Bachelor of Urban Planning & Development and a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University (Muncie, IN).

Gerald D. Holder is U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.  He received his BA fro Kalamazoo College and his BSE, MSE and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan.  He has served on the faculties of Columbia University and subsequently the University of Pittsburgh. He has been Dean of the Swanson School since 1996 leading a period of substantial growth in enrollment, student quality, and  faculty research.  He has also had brief periods of employment at Exxon, Gulf Oil and General Motors.

Dr. Holder is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the American Chemical Society (ACS).  He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).  He is a 2008 William Metcalf Awardee and received the Board of Visitors Faculty Award and Meritorious Achievement in Research Award from the University of Pittsburgh.  He currently serves as on the Board of Directors of Catalyst Connection, Oak Ridge Associated Universities(ORAU) and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative.  He has served as a board member on the Three Rivers Connect, the Pittsburgh Applied Research Corporation, and the Council for Chemical Research, and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Pittsburgh Coal Conference.  He has served on the National Academy of Science Review Panel on NSF Fellowships in Engineering, and as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 3rd International Conference on Gas Hydrates in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He is the author of more than 100 journal articles and has raised over $10 million in support of his research.  His research has been in the areas of high pressure thermodynamics and phase behavior, and in various aspects of energy research including synthetic fuels and natural gas hydrates.  He has also served on the ASEE’s Engineering Deans Council Public Policy Committee (EDC PPC), the EDC Data Committee, and the EDC Executive Committee.

The dependence on oil and other fossil fuels for over 80% of our energy and the continued emission of carbon dioxide threatening stable
climate are captured in a single term: sustainability.

Question: What does sustainability mean when it comes to Energy production? Do you think it is possible?

Topic Resources:
Energy = Future
Controlling the Functionality of Materials for Sustainable Energy