Dr Peter Binks - CEO, Nanotechnology Victoria

Dr Peter Binks has been Chief Executive Officer of Nanotechnology Victoria Limited since May 2003.   Nanotechnology Victoria is focussed on the commercialisation of industrial nanotechnologies and currently has three major investments of US$1 million each, and a portfolio of over a dozen development activities.  Peter has a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Oxford University.  Peter previously worked with McKinsey & Company, BHP and Telstra Mobile.  Over the last 18 months Peter has been a leader in the development of Australia’s nanotechnology strategy.  He participated in the Prime Ministers Science Engineering and Innovation Council Working Party on Nanotechnology, and designed and helped manage the 2^nd National Nanotechnology Conference in September 2005.  He sits on the Advisory Board for the National Nanotechnology Taskforce, and is a prominent speaker and writer on issues of nanotechnology commercialisation, investment, education, and regulation.

Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd 

www.nanovic.com.au

Nanotechnology Victoria (NanoVic) was formed in 2003 as a A$30 million (US$22m) consortium dedicated to the industrial exploitation of nanotechnology.  NanoVic’s investment was seeded by A$12 million from the State Government of Victoria.  Over the last two years NanoVic has invested over A$3 million in nanotechnology activities, and expects to invest a further A$7 million over the next two years.  NanoVic harnesses the considerable expertise of its members in areas such as materials science, micro- and nano-manufacturing, polymer and molecular sciences, modelling and information processing on important products like biosensors and biologically-functional surfaces.  Nanotechnology Victoria also plays a role in the development of Australia’s national nanotechnology strategy, and has been a key player in the formation of the Australian Nano Business Forum (ANBF).  NanoVic has activities in toxicology assessment, development of regulatory perspectives, and of nanotechnology educational and public awareness materials.