The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is hosting a conference and live webcast, "How 'green' Is Green Nanotechnology? A Corporate Perspective," on Wednesday, April 19th at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Nanotechnology, according to the project, has the potential to be doubly "green." It promises to give companies the ability to design new products that are made from more environmentally-friendly materials, and that use less energy and generate less waste throughout the production lifecycle. Green nanotechnology could also earn businesses hefty profits.

Already, lighter, stronger materials enabled by nanotechnology are making a difference in fuel and material use. Electronic data storage has been increased thousands of times because of nanomaterials, and lighting is more efficient because of nanoscaled materials.

As part of its GreenNano initiative to advance the application of green chemistry and green engineering principles to nanotechnology, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies will host a program focused on corporate perspectives of green nanotechnology. The session will explore industry's role in preventing negative environmental impacts from nanotechnologies, the economics of being green, and whether green nanotechnology offers companies a competitive advantage. It also will look at market and regulatory obstacles and incentives.

Speakers will include Dr. John Carberry, director of Environmental Technology for DuPont, and Sean Murdock, executive director of the NanoBusiness Alliance. The program will be led by Dr. Barbara Karn, on detail to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development.

The conference will take place at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5th Floor Conference Room, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC. But even if you're not in the nation's capitol, you can join in the live webcast.