Preface
Welcome to MicroTAS2012 in Okinawa, Japan
MicroTAS is a conference series initiated in the Netherlands in 1994, started off a new scientific field on miniaturized systems for chemistry and life sciences. After the successful conferences in Jeju (2009), Groningen (2010), and Seattle (2011), it is my great honor to bring this conference to the beautiful islands of Okinawa in 2012.
As the field is growing so rapidly, the scope of the conference is expanding from microscale to nanoscale physics and chemistry, from molecules to cell and tissues, and from fundamental theories to devices and systems. And the areas of application also spread from clinical diagnostics to energy and environmental applications. Reflecting the growth of the research community, this year we received more than 1200 abstracts, from which 89 oral and 600 poster presentations were selected. In addition to these regular presentations, we invite 6 excellent plenary speakers, and organized 1 special session with the focused topic on ocean-related applications. And here I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the members of the Executive Technical Program Committee and Technical Program Committee for their hard work to make this happen. I believe we will enjoy very much each of these presentations that forms the essential part of the conference.
Finally on behalf of all the members of CBMS (Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society) board, CHEMINAS (Chemistry and Micro Nano Systems Society) board, and Local Organizing Committee, and the staff members, who are involved in this organization, I would like to thank you all for coming to Okinawa for MicroTAS2012, and for your active participation in this wonderful event.
Teruo Fujii
Chair, MicroTAS2012