Media Advisory 04-30

September 23, 2004

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

Arlington, VA --From tiny robo-spies designed to prowl unseen through hostile territory, to wireless networks of chemical sniffers monitoring pollution in the wilderness, ultra-high-tech sensors have begun to link the cyberspace of bits and bytes with the analog world we actually live in. And in the process, these devices are transforming the way we understand and manage that world.

On September 30, 2004, interested reporters are invited to "Sensors: Buildings, Battlefields, and Beyond": a media briefing that will explore the implications and potential of the new sensor technology--complete with hands-on demonstrations and an opportunity to make your own sensors. The briefing will be hosted by the National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with the American Chemical Society, the Materials Information Society, and the National Academies, and will run from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 110 of the NSF building, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.

That same evening, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on September 30, the hosts invite reporters and members of the general public to a reception, an informal discussion, and exhibits on sensor technology at the Keck Center of the National Academies, 500 Fifth St. NW, Washington, DC.

Who:	Curt Suplee, NSF - Moderator Dr. Amy Duwel, MIT Draper Laboratories Dr. Nate Lewis, Professor of Chemistry, Caltech Dr. Kathleen Hickman, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
What:	Media Briefing: "Sensors: Buildings, Battlefields, and Beyond" — Afternoon Media Briefing & Evening Reception
When:	Thursday, September 30, 2004 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Where:	National Science Foundation 4201 Wilson Blvd. Room 110 Arlington, VA 22230 (Ballston Metro stop) Media visitors can go directly to room 110; there is no need to check in at the security desk. Mult box provided for broadcast journalists

Who:	Curt Suplee, NSF - Moderator Dr. Amy Duwel, MIT Draper Laboratories Dr. Nate Lewis, Professor of Chemistry, Caltech Dr. Kathleen Hickman, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Exhibitors: 1. Next Dimension Technologies (Build your own sensors!) 2. Boston University (Sensors in emergency medical care) 3. Sionex Corporation (Miniaturized MEMS spectrometer chips) 4. Purdue University (Miniature mass spectrometer)
What:	Reception, Informal Discussion, and Exhibits
When:	Thursday, September 30, 2004 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where:	The Keck Center of the National Academies 500 Fifth St. NW Washington, DC 20001

-NSF-

 

Please RSVP to sensors@nsf.gov, and tell us whether you're coming to the afternoon session, the evening session, or both.

---

Media Contacts
M. Mitchell Waldrop, NSF, (703) 292-7752, email: mwaldrop@nsf.gov

Related Websites
NSF Special Report - The Sensor Revolution: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sensor/index.jsp

---

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

 Get News Updates by Email 

Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/

Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov