From the 21 to 23 August, it was time for the annual Community Building Activity organized by the Nano Area of Advance. The days consisted of lectures, workshops and an excursion, but also of networking, community building and inspiration.
During three days, about 150 people participated with both senior and junior researchers linked to the Nano Area of Advance. During the days, several researchers presented and lectured about ongoing research related to Nanoscience at Chalmers. Arne Sjögren's prize, which is awarded to the best doctoral thesis in nano research, was given to Òskar B Helgason who is now a postdoc in Photonics. Posters were also presented and the prizes for the three best poster presentations were awarded to Athanasios Theodoridis (Physics), Pantea Dara (Physics) and Ludovico Tesser (MC2).
An external guest speaker was also invited. Professor Herre van der Zant, from Delft University and a member of the Advisory Committee of Nano, held a lecture about "Long-range charge transport in cable bacteria" that brought together almost the entire range of topics that nanoscience consists of. However, it was not only lectures and research that were on the schedule. An excursion to either Vitlycke rock carvings or Tjurpannan nature reserve was appreciated by the participants.
Every time I am here, I am struck by how many different activities and how much technical and scientific expertise there is within our community.
Since 2013, the Nano Area of Advance has organized a Community Building Activity for its researchers. Christoph Langhammer, Co-Director of the Nano Area of Advance and organiser of the event, points out that the days help to create an awareness of the various activities and research going on at Chalmers within the different departments linked to the Area of Advance.
"Every time I am here, I am struck by how many different activities and how much technical and scientific expertise there is within our community. At the same time, participants can also get inspiration for their research, dare to apply for prestigious funding and realise their own research ideas. It is also about finding new partners for research projects and common denominators for your own research."
Appreciated by both junior and senior researchers
One of the participants is Doctoral Student Jonatan Gastaldi from the Department of Space, Earth and Environment. This is his first Community Building Activity and conference.
"I'm here to meet other people working on similar research as me, but in other departments, and to make new contacts. I also hope to see other projects. I was particularly looking forward to listening to the lecture series on start-ups from Nano and getting inspiration for the future.”
One person who has attended more Community Building Activities is Dag Winkler, Professor in Quantum Device Physics. He has attended every Community Building Activity since the beginning.
"Here you get the opportunity to meet your colleagues from other departments and network in a relaxed atmosphere. The days have offered good discussions and the opportunity to learn more about science outside your field of research. I particularly enjoyed Professor Herre van der Zant's lecture.”
"I hope we can appreciate each other's work and get to know each other better these days. I also hope that the event contributes to everyone going back to work with new energy, new ideas and feeling that the days have been educational and rewarding, but also relaxing and maybe even a bit funny" concludes Christoph.