May 24, 2007 

NYIT Energy Conference Explores Climate Change and Green Technologies

Old Westbury, N.Y., May 24, 2007: New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) will bring together policy makers, business leaders, and scientists at a conference focusing on the critical impact of global warming and energy consumption. The one-day symposium, Energy Shock, Climate Change, and the Role of Technology, will feature a keynote address by internationally renown biologist Thomas Lovejoy, as well as the presentation of NYIT’s first Leadership in Sustainable Technology Award to scientist Stanford Ovshinsky, who holds more than 300 U.S. patents.

The conference, sponsored by NYIT’s Center for Energy, Environment, and Economics, will be held at NYIT’s de Seversky Center on the Old Westbury, N.Y., campus on Friday, June 1, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide is a dangerous experiment, since we have only one fragile planet,” says Professor Robert N. Amundsen, Ph.D., director of NYIT’s energy management graduate program. “The conference will evaluate the implications of global warming and rising energy costs, while exploring alternative and renewable energy solutions to these unprecedented challenges.”

Lovejoy, who is president of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, and the founder of the public television series Nature, will discuss “Climate Change: Upsetting the Balance of Nature.”

Congressman Steve Israel will present the technology award to Ovshinsky, co-founder and president, Energy Conversion Devices Ovonics. Ovshinsky pioneered the field of amorphous materials (those that lack a definite crystalline structure), and his research led to the revolutionary development of thin-film solar cells, semiconductors, fuel cells, electric cars, and the nickel metal hydride batteries that power hybrid vehicles, computers, and cell phones. The materials are also used in photocopy and fax machines, and liquid crystal displays. His inventions include rewritable CDs and DVDs, and hydrogen storage systems. In 1999, Time magazine honored Ovshinsky as a “Hero for the Planet” in recognition of his pioneering work in sustainable energy technology.

In addition, NYIT alumnus Joseph Ambrosio (B.S. ’93), co-founder and executive vice president, Odyne Corporation, which develops plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, will address alternate and clean energy transportation solutions. A panel presentation, featuring industry leaders Duke Dufresne, sector vice president, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems; Kevin Law, chairman, Long Island Power Authority; and a representative from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will focus on “Policy and Technology Action Agenda to Mitigate Climate Change.”

To register, view the conference schedule, or get more information, visit www.energyshock.org, call 516.686.7928, or e-mail energyshock@nyit.edu. Conference registration fees are $65 prior to May 29; $75 thereafter. Special discounted rates are available for not-for-profit agencies and NYIT faculty and staff members ($50); and for students with photo I.D. ($35). Registrations will be accepted at the door. A continental breakfast and buffet luncheon are included.

About NYIT

NYIT is the college of choice for more than 14,000 students enrolled in more than 100 specialized courses of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in academic areas such as architecture and design; arts and sciences; education and professional services; engineering and computing sciences; health professions, behavioral, and life sciences; management; and osteopathic medicine. As a private, nonprofit, independent institution of higher learning, NYIT embraces an educational philosophy of career-oriented professional education for all qualified students and supports applications-oriented research to benefit the greater global community. Students attend classes at NYIT’s campuses in Manhattan and Long Island, as well as online and in a number of programs throughout the world. To date, more than 69,000 alumni have earned degrees at NYIT. For more information, visit www.nyit.edu.