EAST LANSING — The sixth annual Michigan Green Chemistry Awards and “GreenUp” conference will be held Nov. 11 and 12 at Michigan State University’s Kellogg Center in East Lansing.
This year’s theme is “Cultivating Next Generation Solutions.” Green chemistry and engineering seek to design, innovate and manufacture less hazardous, more sustainablle materials, processes, and products. Green chemistry and engineering can help businesses create new markets, reduce costs, increase safety, and gain a competitive edge.
For chemists, engineers, industry executives, educators, students, entrepreneurs, decisionmakers, policymakers, and anyone interested in innovation and sustainability in Michigan,
this conference is the opportunity to hear from leading experts and share solutions to “green up” Michigan through green chemistry and engineering.
The conference aims to provide a comprehensive approach in content — from introductory to expert — and format — both lecutres and case studies — on the value, future, and issues surrounding green chemistry and engineering in Michigan.
Also, the event aims to identify tools, resources and content that drive green chemistry and engineering concepts into research, academia, industry and advocacy.
To sign up for GreenUp conference alerts go to www.michigan.gov/greenchemistry
The deadline for presentations and posters is July 11. Oral and poster presentations may focus on the following areas:
* Cutting Edge Research, highlighting new fundamental research breakthroughs for advancing one (or more) of the 12 principles of green chemistry and engineering and discuss the next steps needed to develop the emerging technologies. A key sub focus will be on synthesis of alternative routes, methods, and compounds. Examples may include bio-economic development, identification and scale up of novel, more sustainable chemicals and materials, connecting universities and businesses, green energy and fuels for the future.
* Educating for a Sustainable Future: This focus area seeks updates on what schools and universities are doing to promote inter-disciplinary programs that focus on the benefits of green chemistry and engineering to students from science, engineering, business, law, policy, education, and public health perspectives. Example presentation topics might include green chemistry in higher education or green chemistry in K-12 education.
*The Business Case for Green Chemistry and Engineering: This area may include case studies where companies have explored green markets and opportunities for innovation and business growth by minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, reducing raw material needs, cutting waste and disposal costs, and reducing energy costs to meet corporate sustainability goals. What tools, such as alternatives assessment and life-cycle analysis, inform decision making? This area may also include initiatives such as minimizing environmental impact through materials selection,
including renewable feedstock and bio-based materials; solvents; paints and coatings; minimization of waste through reuse and recycling; and supply chain inclusion and communication. Example presentation topics might include placing green chemistry in the big picture of corporate sustainability; applications in manufacturing; connecting supply chains for cooperative innovation; disclosure, transparency, and certification; advances in life cycle analysis; best practices to create an organizational green chemistry initiative; or technical assistance approaches.
* Public Health: This area will focus on identifying the existing links between green chemistry and human and environmental
health, toxicology, and environmental epigenomics. Example presentation topics might include Great Lakes science; identifying green chemistry opportunities; developing understanding of legacy and emerging contaminants; or creating partnerships for a proactive approach.
Policy Updates: This area will focus on changes in regulations or policies (at both state and federal levels) that are providing financial incentives that enhance the attractiveness of green chemistry and engineering and stimulate economic growth.
Proposals will be evaluated for relevance (meeting conference objectives and if possible relating to the theme of “Cultivating Next Generation Solutions”); applying principles of green chemistry and green engineering; technical quality; current or cutting-edge technologies; and providing solutions and tools for takeaways.
Preference will be given to Michigan organizations. Presentations must be strictly educational, providing fair, full disclosure and equitable balance of all aspects of a topic being presented. No
endorsement, commercialism or selling will be permitted. All program materials must be free from promotional influence and marketing content.
For oral presentations, breakout session presentations may be offered in 20 or 45 minute time slots with possible Q&A or panel discussion in both the morning and afternoon sessions. The conference steering committee reserves the right to develop these sessions using a combination of proposals or invited presenters. As a benefit to approved speakers, conference registration fees will be waived.
Due to budget constraints, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has limited funds available for other expense reimbursement. Please note any reimbursement requirements you may need as part of your proposal.
Poster displays will help deliver and demonstrate tools, resources, and content that drives green chemistry and engineering concepts into research, academics, industry, and advocacy arenas. Maximum size for posters is 46 by 46 inches and will be mounted to poster boards with either push pins or Velcro. Poster presenters will still be expected to register for the conference and pay the full registration fee. Students will have a discounted registration fee and are eligible to participate in a student poster competition the day of the conference. More information about the conference registration, schedule for the day, and student poster competition will be given upon acceptance.
Submission deadline for poster presentations is Oct. 8
Please go to www.michigan.gov/greenchemistry to complete the online forms for speakers and posters. Accepted speakers will be notified in July and August. Accepted posters will be notified
after review of proposal.
If you have questions about the submission process, contact Chris Affeldt at affeldtc@michigan.gov or Ned Jackson at jackson@chemistry.msu.edu. If you have questions
about poster proposals, please contact Sudhakar Reddy at redv@umich.edu or (734) 763-4615.