TECHNICAL SESSIONS

Technical sessions will begin on Monday, March 15, 2004 and end on Thursday, March 18, 2004. Technical sessions will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center.

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

Technical sessions will begin on Monday, March 15, 2004 and end on Thursday, March 18, 2004. The Complete Final Program (paper titles, authors, abstracts) is available for download in portable document format and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat. Posted on February 18, 2004, the final techical program is available as a complete document (~4.81 Mb) or in single-day increments (Monday [~2.88 Mb], Tuesday [~2.87 Mb], Wednesday [~2.80 Mb], or Thursday [~2.26 Mb]).

The Technical Program may also be viewed on-line through the TMS Personal Conference Scheduler. This site allows users to flexibly create and modify a completely personalized itinerary for society-sponsored conferences. Individuals interested in more information should visit pcs.tms.org for a hands-on experience.

An updated version of the program (reflective of schedule and presentation changes) will be posted to this site in late February.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The complete Calendar of Events is available for download in portable document format (and can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat). The Calendar of Events features the times, dates, and locations of administrative, technical committee, and other meetings.

Users may also create a fully-customized Calendar of Events by using the TMS Personal Conference Scheduler. This site allows users to flexibly create and modify a completely personalized itinerary for society-sponsored conferences. Individuals interested in more information should visit pcs.tms.org for a hands-on experience.

MATERIALS ANALYSIS: UNDERSTANDING THE COLUMBIA DISASTER

A Hot-Topic Track – Sponsored by the TMS

Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Charlotte Convention Center
Ballroom B

Materials Analysis: Understanding the Columbia Disaster–Building upon an article in the February 2004 issue of JOM, “Materials Analysis: A Key to Unlocking the Mystery of the Columbia Tragedy,” by Brian M. Mayeaux et al., the authors describe their materials investigation of the Columbia remains. The authors/presenters are members of the Materials and Processes team assembled by NASA to identify the cause of the shuttle’s disintegration.

MATERIALS EDUCATION TO REVITALIZE THE WORKFORCE

A part of the Hot-Topic Track – Building MSE Synergies
Sponsored by the TMS Public and Governmental Affairs Committee and the TMS Education Committee

Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Charlotte Convention Center
Room: 217D

This symposium will feature invited presentations that focus on building synergies in education and outreach to attract the best and brightest to future careers in Materials Science and Engineering. We recognize that the “graying” workforce in Materials Science and Engineering should be revitalized with a fresh crop of highly capable and motivated professionals that can face the new challenges for materials in the future. The presentations will include a series of model educational efforts at all academic levels that are targeted at increasing awareness about and enrollment in materials-related fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as in continuing education programs. It is hoped that a concentrated interchange of beneficial ideas and practices in materials science and engineering education among professional educators and policy makers can stimulate more coordinated action at the K-12 and college/university levels. The goals are for several groups involved in materials education to learn about the possibilities for parallel activities and collaboration. Professional educators will become aware of potential sources of support. Funding organizations and policy makers will become acquainted with the needs and opportunities in materials education.

A poster session will be linked with an open reception for all participants and attendees to facilitate extended discussions and to allow more examples of projects in this area to be exhibited.

MATERIALS ISSUES IN FUEL CELLS: State-of-the-Art

A TMS Hot Topic Symposium…

Monday, March 15, 2004
Charlotte Convention Center
Room: 207 B/C

8:30 AM Keynote
Topic: The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities of Materials and Nanomaterials to Address Some Grand Challenges
Presenter: M.S. Dresselhaus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This symposium will address the current state of materials research and development for one of the most viable forms of energy conversion devices. Energy can be harnessed in fuel cells for applications in many commercial sectors. Both government and industry have made a concerted commitment to make a profound impact on energy management. Many types of fuel cell devices are being developed globally. For fuel cells to potentially deliver the economic alternative that is envisioned, signifi cant material challenges must be overcome in the near future.

This symposium will consist of a morning and afternoon session featuring both invited and contributed presentations on the most current issues and opportunities in fuel cell technology. A keynote address will open each session.

GENERAL ABSTRACTS

In an effort to present a more comprehensive view of current work being carried on in materials science research and industry, particularly new and emerging technologies and techniques, TMS is offering general abstract sessions.

GENERAL POSTER SESSION

A technical, noncommercial poster session will be held in conjunction with the TMS 2004 Annual Meeting. Presentations will be displayed on 4x8-foot poster boards. The Poster Session begins Monday, March 15 and remains in place through Wednesday, March 17 at the Charlotte Convention Center in the Ballroom Prefunction Area.