9th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

15 May, 2020

Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, Hon Dr Megan Woods, opens AMN9

We held our 9th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, 10 – 14 February 2019.

The AMN conference series is interdisciplinary and covers a broad variety of topics in nanotechnology and materials science. It brings together material scientists, chemists, physicists, biologists and engineers resulting in stimulating discussions that bridge the range from building electronic devices to the study of protein structures.

The biennial AMN conferences are becoming increasingly international. The majority of the nearly 400 delegates travelled to Wellington from overseas, including Australia, South Korea, the United States, Taiwan and Germany.

AMN9 - much more than a typical Materials Science conference

Dr Michelle Dickinson and Professor Cather Simpson gave a public lecture to a packed-out theatre about their work and being women in science.
50 mothers and daughters attended the Nanogirl-led ‘Kitchen Science’ workshop.
School visits by 600 children from low and mid-decile schools (ages 8-14) attended the Nanogirl Live! Show.
Over 100 people attended a screening of Dancing with Atoms, a biography of our founding Director, Sir Paul Callaghan, with a gold coin koha raising money for the Cancer Society.
An evening talk by Harvard University Professor, Dan Nocera, on transitioning to a solar-based society, was attended by in excess of 150 people.
A ‘Women in Science Breakfast’, attended by over 100 NZIC members and conference delegates, to celebrate the progress made by women in STEM in New Zealand. Speakers included Associate Professor Nicola Gaston and Dr Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, and – by video, Professor Juliet Gerrard and Julie Maxton (CEO of the Royal Society London).
Associate Professor Martin Allen ran his SunSmart programme for 80 school children at a Wellington school.
A ‘Science media savvy’ day, in collaboration with the Science Media Centre, to upskill investigators on their science communication.