IANS

New York, Jun 13: A host of new generation technologies that may help the world get out of recession will be discussed by two international groups of scientists at the Columbia University here June 14-19.

The triennial 13th International Conference on Surface and Colloid Science originating from the International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists will occur jointly with the annual 83rd Colloid and Surface Science Symposium originating from the American Chemical Society.

This confluence will bring together top researchers and technologists spanning the wide range of topics that come under the umbrella of colloid and surface science.

These include behaviours in particulate systems and at interfaces, and the application of this knowledge to a host of industrial technologies such as biomedical, material science, nano-engineering, water treatment, oil recovery, mineral processing, papermaking, and energy and environmental stewardship.

Conference General chairman Prof. P "Som" Somasundaran of Columbia University said: "This is the Olympics in Surface Science, the largest conference event in colloids and surfaces since two major societies have joined together to organize the conference in the greatest city, i.e. New York, in an academic environment of Columbia University."

"We were planning for 600-800 attendees. We already have 1200 delegates from 40 countries already registered and expect to have another 200 delegates from out side who have already signed in," Somasundaran added. The current recession has not made any dent into this conference.

"That is a good sign for the economy since we will be discussing many emerging science and technologies at this conference and hopefully we could get out of this recession through new generation technologies," Somasundaran continued.

"We have papers on a variety of topics in colloids and surfaces," said

Raymond Farinato, conference chair.

"We have not only academic researchers, but high calibre scientists from the chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, materials, green engineering, microelectronics, mineral processing and nano-technology industries," he added.