TODAY’S PROGRAM
Greg Spragg, Sam's Club: The economy now and the future: a retail perspective

LAST WEEK's PROGRAM:
Rick McLeod, President, led the club in the singing of “America” and the “Pledge of Allegiance”. The invocation was given by Dick Daniel. Joe Mills led the club in singing "Clemintine".

Dr. Greg Salamo of the University of Arkansas Center for Nano scale Materials and Devices spoke about Nano scale materials and research at the University of Arkansas. They are in the process of building a new center for Nano Technology as well as fund raising to support the center.

Arkansas is the number one supplier of Nano scale materials used in research throughout the world, supplying research materials to top Universities as Stanford, Duke, etc.

Nano particles are not visible to the naked eye. A nanometer equals 1 billionth of a meter. Dr. Salamo said that if you divide a hair 100 million times, then you get an idea of the size of a nanometer.

The exciting thing about nanotechnology and Nano-size particles is that as the size of the particles is reduced, the properties of those particles changes dramatically. He gave the example that gold changes to red or green instead of yellow, depending on how small you make it. It's hardness, melting point, electrical and mechanical properties also change. A Nano particle can be up to several thousand atoms grouped together.

The research has determined that the reason the properties change is that when Nano particles are in contact with different surfaces (instead of being in contact with similar materials) that the particles behave differently. Gold atoms alone behave very different than a piece of gold.

Dr. Salamo emphasized that the exciting part of Nanotechnology is that there is endless potential for creating new materials for many new uses. Areas that it may impact could include: more efficient solar collectors, longer lasting batteries, drug and pharmaceutical applications, cleaner water thru filtering at a Nano scale level, developing a white light source, faster & lower power memory cells, lowering friction in mechanical systems, converting wasted heat (up to 80%) to electricity with competitive efficiency, and reducing energy consumption in general.

Special equipment in use at the Center includes: a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STEM) to take pictures of the Nano particles; Molecular Beam Epitary (MBE) that makes materials with one layer of Nano materials at a time; and High Vacuum Chambers to grow PURE Nano materials. The presence of impurities will effect the behavior of Nano particles so it it critical that they be developed in highly controlled, sterile, pure conditions.

For more information, contact Dr. Salamo at: salamo@uark.edu  or see www.uark.edu/depts/physics/

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Hal Savage announced that the club currently has 130 members.

• Michael Gower announced upcoming Rotary event on September 27 to start at 4pm: A Rogers' Community Pride Night. BBQ & lots of fun for all. Need commercial grills and laborers to cook burgers. Bankers with grills to loan, please contact Michael asap. All funds raised go to support the Booster Clubs for the High Schools. More info to follow.

• Beth Stephens announced the upcoming Small Business Conference: September 12, 8:00am - 4:30pm, at the Hammons Center. Contact the Chamber or see their web site for more info.

• Bob Hamilton asked members to submit names of high school seniors that would be candidates to be students of the month. Remember to consider Rotarian children, grandchildren, relatives, neighbors, or any students you would like to recommend. Contact Bob directly.

• Marge Wolf thanked members for their volunteer efforts this year for a great Frisco Fest. She also thanked members for their support of Main Street over her eight year tenure. She will be taking a new position with the Ozark Food Bank.

• Nathan Cash encouraged members to attend the upcoming program by the American Red Cross: Lt. General Honore', U.S. Army Retired, speaking at the Springdale Holiday Inn, on Thursday, September 11, 6:00-7:30pm, on "Creating a Culture of Preparedness: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina". Admission is free, though a donation is suggested to the NWA Disaster Relief Fund. Honore' was the leadership that stepped in to lead effective emergency services following the initial chaos of Katrina in New Orleans.

• Congratulations to David Thrasher on the article about him in the current issue of "Citiscapes". Well deserved recognition!

VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS:
Tina Winham made the introductions:
There were no visiting Rotarians.

Dick Trammel introduced Stuart Epley
Chuck Easterling introduced Mark Beasley
Bert Kell introduced Nathan Willis
August Rusher introduced Patrick Woodruff
Buddy Rogers introduced Sharon Moeckel
Charles Hudson introduced Tony Guerra

IN THE NEWS: None this week

ATTA BOYS & GIRLS (Make-ups):

Biff Averitt
Nathan Cash
Judene Kuszak

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

Sept 16 Barbara Youree, Author from Rogers
Sept 23 Don Soderquist, Retired Chief Operating Officer of Wal-Mart
Sept 30 Michael McClelland, Champion Bass Fisherman
Oct 7 Candice Franks, State Bank Commissioner
Oct 14 Robin Green, Speaking on Meth Awareness Month
Oct 21 David Faulkner, Manager, Pinnacle Hills Promenade
Oct 28 Dr. Dave Gearhart, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas