In this interview AZOM talks with presidents from three materials societies—Ronald O’Malley from Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) bottom left, Dana Goski from The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) bottom right, and Ellen Cerreta from The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) top.
Goski: Materials Science & Technology (MS&T) is an annual conference that is organized and hosted by three societies: Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), The American Ceramic Society (ACerS), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS). Its purpose is to bring together subject matter experts from research and industry—scientists, engineers, students, industry suppliers and vendors, and business leaders—to share research and discuss technical solutions for the future of materials science. We use the tagline “Where Materials Innovation Happens” to refer to quality of technical programming. This year’s conference takes place October 17–21, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio.
How long has MS&T been around and what do your attendance numbers look like?
O’Malley: MS&T’s first conference was organized by the Iron and Steel Society (now AIST) and TMS and held in 2003 in Chicago, Illinois with 832 people in attendance. Last year’s conference was held virtually due to the pandemic. In 2019, it was held in Portland, Oregon with more than 3,000 people in attendance.
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What makes MS&T different from other materials conferences?
Cerreta: MS&T is unique in that it combines three society-specific meetings into one conference. The TMS Fall Meeting at MS&T21 features a collection of 30 symposia exploring the intersections of development, synthesis, and application. We also host the TMS Young Professional Tutorial Luncheon Lecture for our early-career professionals. AIST holds its Adolf Martens Steel Lecture as part of the plenary and hosts its Steel Properties & Applications meeting at MS&T. ACerS Edward Orton Jr. Memorial Lecture is also part of the plenary, and ACerS 123rd Annual Meeting at MS&T includes the Annual Business Meeting and the Annual Awards Banquet.
Goski: While each society has its own business meetings, activities, and events, members of all three societies can interact and network with each other through various networking events. Each society has its own member “lounge” where members can stop by and catch up with fellow members. Because many attendees return to the meeting every year, it can sometimes feel like a reunion!
What are some examples of the technical topics and symposia at MS&T?
Cerreta: This year’s program will include 75 symposia in 13 technical tracks. Technical tracks include additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biomaterials, ceramic and glass materials, electronic and magnetic materials, energy, fundamentals and characterization, iron and steel (ferrous alloys), materials-environment interactions, modeling, nanomaterials, processing and manufacturing, and several society-specific special topics.
O’Malley: The symposia and technical presentations represent an extensive array of works in academic research and discovery, which has long been associated with MS&T. As Dana mentioned, the event showcases the latest new directions where materials science is headed. We are currently looking for scientists and researchers to submit an abstract related to any of these technical topics. Abstract submission will be open through March 31, 2021.
What significant activities and events are planned for MS&T this year?
O’Malley: The conference will be anchored by a Tuesday plenary session featuring an award lecturer from each society. Other special events include Women in Materials Science Reception, an all-conference welcome reception, journals editors’ meetings, The ACerS awards banquet, and society business meetings. Special programming features include: award lectures, an honorary symposium recognizing the contributions of George Quinn to the field of structural ceramics and glasses, and the Emerging Professionals Symposium. Last year we held a virtual town hall panel discussion on the topic of diversity in materials science and engineering.
You mentioned that students are also invited to attend MS&T. What types of activities do you have for students?
Goski: Students have an opportunity to display their research in the form of a poster with robust and lively interactive sessions where they can discuss their research. There are prizes for the best undergraduate and graduate poster. Also, MS&T offers student networking mixers, industrial plant or lab tours, a student speaking contest, student awards ceremony, undergraduate speaking contest, career fair, and more. And the disc golf and mug drop contests are always popular.
Attendees to MS&T include industry suppliers. What types of companies attend MS&T?
Cerreta: MS&T attracts companies that are suppliers to the materials industry who are there to demonstrate their latest products and services to attendees. The exhibit floor is open for specified hours over two days and includes an exhibitor networking reception. It’s also a great opportunity for students to learn about the companies and network with business leaders who may be hiring.
Are there any other programs or events for attendees?
Goski: Yes, every year MS&T offers optional short courses at an additional cost that either precede or follow the conference. The short courses, taught by respected members of the organizing societies, have included topics such as sintering of ceramics, metallography for failure analysis, electroceramics, and advanced manufacturing. A course offering a certificate for design for advanced manufacturing for lightweighting has been offered previously.
How can someone submit an abstract for the MS&T21 conference?
O’Malley: They can visit this page to view the topics, and submit an abstract directly through the portal.
For more information:
Interested participants can register to receive updates about calls for abstracts, updated events, schedule, technical program, exhibiting, registration, hotel, travel information, and more about MS&T21.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by The American Ceramic Society.
For more information on this source, please visit The American Ceramic Society.
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