Overview
It is impossible to imagine today’s world without the application of chemistry. But what are going to be the biggest areas of innovation over the next 10 years in which chemical technology is going to play an important role in meeting the needs of the next generation?
As the global leader in decorative and industrial coatings and a leading specialty chemicals company, AkzoNobel is constantly seeking the answers to such questions. We invite you to help us come up with some answers.
The aim of the competition is to stimulate young researchers into thinking about the role that chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science might play in driving sustainable innovations that will meet the needs of society, the environment and consumers over the next 5 to 10 years.
Prizes will be awarded for the best ideas which show the greatest insight into future trends and provide imaginative and realistic ideas in response to the following questions:
What are going to be the biggest trends and challenges for the development of our society over the next 10 years in which chemistry will have a decisive role to play?
What new scientific and technological developments will we need to make in the areas of the chemical sciences to realize the trends?
What are going to be the most important new applications for novel products and process developments which will improve the lives of citizens and what sciences will underpin them?
Specific ideas and insights should be prepared and competition entries should be submitted in PowerPoint format (max. 10 slides) with your name and e-mail address via the entry form on this website no later than June 30, 2012.
All three questions highlighted above should be considered and addressed in the submission.
More information:
Background information
The world is changing rapidly and dramatically. As our society becomes wealthier, we are demanding new and better products. At the same time, we are beginning to realize that our global environment is fragile and that the natural resources that we depend upon are becoming increasingly scarce. We are facing the dilemma of “wanting more, but doing more with less”.
Much of the change we are experiencing is being made possible by scientific discoveries and technological innovations. These innovations are providing new and better products for all of us, improving the way we use precious resources and enabling us to develop better and sustainable ways of making and using them.
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Eligibility
The competition is open to young researchers in the Netherlands who are studying for a post-graduate Masters or PhD degree or conducting post-doctoral research in any of the Chemical Sciences and Technologies, with a focus on chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science.
The competition is open to individuals or to small teams of no more than three persons.
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How to Enter the Competition
Specific ideas and insights in response to the competition’s theme should be prepared and entries should be created as a PowerPoint presentation and submitted in a PDF format in English (max. 10 slides) with your name and e-mail address no later than June 30, 2012.
Read the competition rules before submission of your poster.
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Key Dates
March 15 to June 30, 2012: Submission of Entries
July 1 to September 6, 2012: First Round Review/Selection
September 7, 2012: Announcement of Finalists
September 10 to October 25, 2012: Preparation for Final Competition
- The five finalists (teams/individuals) will convert their PowerPoint submissions into A1-sized posters for presentation at the AkzoNobel Science Award Event that will take place in November.
- Posters will be sent to AkzoNobel as PDF files on or before October 25. The company will arrange the printing of the posters (A1 sized).
November 2012: Final
- The five finalists (teams/individuals) will be invited to the AkzoNobel Science Award Event to showcase and present their posters to an audience of leading academics, business executives and key technology and business press in the Netherlands. (AkzoNobel will pay reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the finalists in attending the event.)
- A winning poster will be selected by a panel including the Laureate of the 2012 Dutch AkzoNobel Science Award.
- The name of the winner (team/individual) will be announced on the competition website.
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Prizes
There will be souvenirs for participants and prizes for winners.
All entrants (team/individual) will receive an AkzoNobel T-shirt as a souvenir.
The five finalists (individuals/teams) will be invited to the AkzoNobel Science Award Event that will be held in November 2012 and a drinks reception after the event. They will also have the opportunity to meet the CEO of AkzoNobel and a number of industry leaders.
The final winner (team/individual) will be awarded a prize of € 1.000, work experience in an AkzoNobel R&D laboratory, and a commemorative certificate.
The runners up will each receive a prize and a certificate AkzoNobel signed by Dr Graeme Armstrong, Member of AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee with responsibility for Research, Development & Innovation.
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Criteria
The judges will evaluate initial submissions and entries on their:
Relevance to emerging global trends
Potential value to societal needs
Relevance to chemical industries
Scope for global application
Achievability and practicality
Sustainability
Novelty
In addition, the judges will evaluate the posters of the five finalists on:
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