Ray Kurzweil Keynote: Nanotechnology and Change; Foresight Institute Conference Focuses on Dramatic Impact of Nanotechnology.

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Ray Kurzweil, Winner of the National Medal of Technology and author of The Age of Spiritual Machines, will present his projections on coming changes in communication, computation, and human knowledge in general, and how nanotechnology will accelerate these transformations at the 1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology: Research, Applications, and Policy, October 22-24, 2004 at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel, Washington DC area.

"Molecular nanotechnology is going to be revolutionary. The big question is when will this revolution occur?" said Christine Peterson, vice president and founder of Foresight Institute. "Ray Kurzweil has systematically explored what changes to expect and will explain why these changes are coming sooner than expected."

Produced by Foresight Institute, each day of the 1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology is dedicated to in-depth exploration and discussion of a critical area driving molecular manufacturing: research status, disruptive applications, and policy issues. Kurzweil's keynote, An Exponentially Expanding Future from Exponentially Shrinking Technology, will be held on Friday, October 22, 2004, which is the kick-off session for the research day of the conference. His talk will describe how fast we are moving toward incorporating nanotechnology in our daily lives, and give estimated dates of arrival for these fundamental changes.

The 1st Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology: Research, Applications, and Policy is important for those interested in the Feynman goal for nanotechnology -- building with atomic-level precision -- including researchers, technologists, public policy professionals, public interest representatives, professional association representatives, investors, the media, students, the general public, and those seeking a career in the field. The Conference will provide a stimulating multi-disciplinary environment enabling broad exploration of diverse field.

Day One: 1st Symposium on Molecular Machine Systems, chaired by William A. Goddard III (Caltech) and Ralph Merkle (Georgia Tech), will focus on advanced nanotechnology research. Researchers and technologists are encouraged to attend.

Day Two: Disruptive Nanotech Applications, chaired by Patrick Parker (Naval Postgraduate School) and Brad Templeton (Electronic Frontier Foundation), will explore applications and uses of nanotechnology -- from medicine to the environment to clean water for the developing world. This day is tailored for strategic planners, public policy professionals, public interest representatives, professional association representatives, investors, researchers, technologists, the media, students and the general public.

Day Three: Nanotechnology Policy, chaired by Glenn Reynolds (U. Tenn.) and Howard Lovy (NanoBot), will focus on what policies and funding will enable nanotechnology to deliver its revolutionary benefits to the U.S. and abroad. This day is tailored for strategic planners, public policy professionals, public interest representatives, professional association representatives, the media, students and the general public.

Further information: http://www.mnt2004.org

About Foresight Institute

Foresight Institute is the leading think tank and public interest organization focused on nanotechnology. Formed in 1986 by K. Eric Drexler and Christine Peterson, Foresight dedicates itself to providing education, policy development, and networking to maximize benefits and minimize downsides of molecular manufacturing.