Power-industry group sponsors free online college courses and cash awards for best concept paper

The Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) is making available an e-learning colloquium, PSMA Nano 300, which is being offered exclusively and without charge to college students worldwide. The colloquium is designed to further the education and application of nanotechnology to the power sources industry. Students enrolled in the colloquium are encouraged to write and submit nanotechnology power sources concept papers. Each year, PSMA will award a first prize of $1,500 for the best paper and a $500 second prize. The first round of concept papers must be submitted May 1, 2014.

The target participants of PSMA Nano 300 are students of engineering, science, and business. Covering the latest advances in the science, research, and applications of nanotechnology, the online courses include a review of basic concepts together with a succinct presentation of the chemistry, material sciences, and quantum physics needed to better understand the technology. The course also explores the latest and ongoing research and presents a cross-section of companies actively involved in nanotechnology applications. In addition, the colloquium highlights safety, ethical, and societal issues and concerns associated with the nanoscale.
The PSMA Nano 300 colloquium can be accessed from the Courses tab of the PSMA Nanotechnology Forum or from the Quick Links on the PSMA homepage.  There students can find a syllabus of the colloquium with details the content, as well as instructions for how to submit concept papers for the contest. There is also a discussion board available for students to comment and ask questions.
According to Joe Horzepa, PSMA Executive Director, “PSMA Nano 300 is our flagship education program to raise the awareness of the potential of nanotechnology in many industries and is targeted to students worldwide. The colloquium is designed to augment college course material and the objective is to encourage visionary and practical applications of the technology to the power sources industry.”
Anthony F. Laviano, Ph.D., founder of NANOWorld and Executive Vice President of Northrop Rice Advanced Institute of Technology (NRAIT) provided the content for the colloquium while J. Michael Rice, President of Aerolearn, an e-learning provider, provided the application program.