Nanomaterials in Ecosystems: Should we worry?

Today is the second Tuesday of March which can mean only one thing: Periodic Tables!  Periodic Tables is a monthly event that brings interesting speakers "where curious adults can meet in a casual setting to discuss the latest science in plain English."  Periodic Tables is organized by our friends at the Museum of Life and Science.

When: March 9, 2010 | 7:00 P.M.

Where: Broad Street Café in Durham, NC

Who: Dr. Emily Bernhardt, Assistant Professor of Biology at Duke University and Program Leader at the Center for Environmental Implication of NanoTechnology

Nanotechnology has the enormous potential to change our society. New advances in medicine, energy production, environmental cleanup and better access to clean water are just a few of the many possibilities. According to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, the number of products that use nanomaterials has increased almost 380% since 2006. But, is it the same special properties that make nanoscale materials so useful that also pose potential risks to humans and the environment?

Join Dr. Emily Bernhardt from the Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology to discuss the fate of nanomaterials in our environment and why you should care. 

Do you know how to solder?

A few people have expressed interest in learning how to solder at the Maker Faire:NC.  If you or a club you're in know(s) how and you have a few soldering irons I'd love it if you'd submit a Maker application.  It would be great if you could teach anyone who visits your table a quick Intro to Soldering course or schedule a few demonstrations or hands-on activities throughout the day.  Let me know what you have in mind!

Maker Faire:NC Flickr Group

This is the Flickr Group that we set up for sharing photos and videos of your Maker Faire:NC experience.  If you're exhibiting and preparing a project, upload and tag some photos to whet the appetites of our attendees!  The planning team is going to throw a few pics in there as well.

Volunteers Needed

We just added a new volunteer application form and updated the Volunteers Information page.  The Volunteer Director, Drew Nelson, will be receiving applications and delegating jobs for making this year's Maker Faire:NC a success.  We can't do this without you and I encourage you to put your name in the hat to help us out!

Effort to Bring Google Fiber to Durham

Google recently announced that they will be rolling out high-speed and affordable Internet access in selected communities.  Durham is anxious to be one of those communities.  The center of the effort is HiFiber Durham.

Google is planning to build, and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. We'll deliver Internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today with 1 gigabit per second, fiber-to-the-home connections. We'll offer service at a competitive price to at least 50,000, and potentially up to 500,000 people.

You can sign up for their various announcements here: