Day 1 :
Keynote Forum
Massimo Masserini
University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
Keynote: Nanoparticles for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Time : 10:00-10:30
Biography:
Massimo Masserini is Full Professor of Biochemistry and Moecular Biology at the School of Medicine, University Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy. He is Head of the Nanomedicine Center NANOMIB of the same university. He has published more than 150 articles in journals of Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Nanomedicine. He is CEO of AmypoPharma, a Spin-off Company of the University Milano-Bicocca aiming to carry nanoparticles for treatment of Alzheimer disease to the clinical phase.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide accumulation and deposition in the brain. Aβ alterations are thought to take place decades before the appearance of the first signs of dementia: This preclinical phase is considered the most promising period for successful disease-modifying therapies, which are still lacking. Since negatively charged lipids showed high binding affinity toward Aβ peptide and low-density lipoproteinreceptor was observed at the blood-brain barrier, we previously designed liposomes functionalized with phosphatidic acid and with a modified peptide derived from apolipoprotein-E (mApoE-PA-LIP) potentially able to enter the brain and disaggregate Aβ aggregates both in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated the possibility to use mApoE-PA-LIP for treatment of AD on different Tg rodent models of the disease, namely APP/PS1 or APP23 mice. The data obtained in vivo suggest that mApoE-PA-LIP is able either to promote the decrease of brain Aβ burden and the amelioration of memory impairment in “old” Tg mice upon acute treatment, or to slow down brain Aβ accumulation and memory impairment in “young” upon long term treatment. Together, these data indicate mApoE-PA-LIP as a new nanotechnological device potentially suitable for AD treatment.
Keynote Forum
Alberto Vomiero
Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
Keynote: Tuning nanomaterials’ properties to boost photoconversion efficiency in excitonic solar cells
Time : 10:30-11:00
Biography:
Alberto Vomiero is a chair Professor in Experimental Physics at the Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. He completed his PhD in Electronic Engineering from the University of Trento in 2003 and his Degree in Physics from the University of Padova in 1999. His main interests are in composite nanomaterials (wide bandgap semiconductors, semiconducting nanocrystals and hybrid systems) for gas sensors and excitonic solar cells. He is Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellow of the European Commission, Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK) and of the Institute of Nanotechnology (UK), past chair of the Italian section of the American Nano Society and member of the Global Young Academy. He is member of the editorial board of Scientific Reports (NPG).
Abstract:
In several types of excitonic solar cells, nanomaterials can play a critical role in boosting photoconversion efficiency by ameliorating the processes of charge photogeneration, exciton dissociation and charge transport. Several strategies can be pursued, including broadening of light absorbance to reduce solar light losses, fastening exciton dissociation and charge injection from the photoactive medium to the charge transporting materials, reducing charge recombination during charge transport and collection at the electrodes. In this lecture, a few examples of application of nanomaterials will be thoroughly discussed in 2 specific categories of excitonic solar cells, namely dye- and quantum dot-sensitized solar cells. Emphasis will be given to the investigation of both the photoactive medium (including composite and core-shell quantum dots) and the charge transporting scaffold (including metal oxide hierarchical structures, nanowires, nanorods and carbon-based hybrids) towards a materials-by-design approach.
Keynote Forum
Valeh Shamilov
State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, Republic of Azerbaijan
Keynote: The role of nanosystems in oil and gas production
Time : 11:15-11:45
Biography:
Valeh Shamilov received his PhD degree in Technical Sciences in 1997. He is author of about 50 scientific works, including books, patents, monographs and articles. At present, he is Head of SOCAR’s Department of Nanotechnology. He is an expert in the field of application of nanotechnologies for the oil extraction process aimed on the improving oil recovery. At present he the works on the application of nanotechnology in enhancing oil extraction as well as against many complications existing in oil industry (salt deposition, sand plugs, in drilling, etc.
Abstract:
Today nanotechnology is one of the prospective and rapidly developing areas in the world. Innovative technologies aimed to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the oil and gas industry are also being developed in Azerbaijan. Development, research and application of nanotechnologies from the series of innovative technologies are of topical issues. Prevention of salt and sand deposition, development of hardly extractable residual oil reserves having non-Newtonian properties, protective actions against the corrosion and paraffin deposits particularly in the oil and gas production, are the problems that need to be solved. To study the effects of the developed metal nanoparticle based nanosystems in the hydrocarbon medium, the studies have been carried out on the reservoir-well system simulation model, and the mechanics of motion in three phases- oil, gas and water were studied. Based on conducted extensive analytical research the changes of the rheological properties of oils after nano-effect were confirmed, and the obtained stable and sustainable nanosystems have been revealed. As the use of these technologies enables an increase in recovery factor and carrying out development processes in more effective way, they are applied in the field-industrial scale in the under mentioned areas, and high efficiency is achieved. Areas include: An extraction of residual oil reserves; the prevention of sand flow from the formation to the bottom of the well; and the elimination of salts formation in the collectors, discharge lines of wells and lift pipes. As a result of the application of developed nanosystems, oil production increased by 10-15% according to the directions, the interrepair period of wells increased, repair-related waste of time is limited, additional expenses and labor costs are reduced, and the period of operation of the downhole equipment and transportation systems is extended.