Join other leading experts on the minerals, metals, and materials issues impacting the technological progress of the nations of the Americas. Hosted by TMS and made possible through the efforts of nine materials professional societies, the 3rd Pan American Materials Congress highlights the latest science and engineering developments affecting the region’s key industries. Cross-cultural networking activities facilitate the development of new collaborations. A comprehensive technical program and world-class roster of plenary speakers give you access to ideas and information that can benefit your work long after the congress adjourns.

Download Congress Technical Program.

Carolyn M. Hansson

Lecture Title: "Designing Infrastructure Materials for 100-plus Year Service Lives" Speaker: Carolyn M. Hansson, Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada Date: Tuesday, February 28, 8:40 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract Most engineered products have a design life considerably shorter than that of many reinforced concrete structures being built today. Mobile phones and computers are considered obsolete within about 5 years. Even household appliances and cars are not expected to last more than 10 years. In contrast, the Canadian Highway Bridge code currently requires a design life of 75 years and discussions are underway to extend this to 100 years. Similar, or even longer, requirements exist in the USA and Europe. This presentation will describe the issues surrounding the durability of reinforced concrete and the challenges in meeting the specified minimum service lives. About the Presenter Carolyn Hansson is a professor in both the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Departments at the University of Waterloo. She received her B.Sc., A.R.S.M, D.I.C. and Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from Imperial College London. She has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, the USA, Denmark and Canada and has been employed in private sector research (Martin Marietta Research Laboratories and AT&T Bell Laboratories – now Lucent Technologies), a not-for-profit consulting company (the Danish Corrosion Centre) and in academia (Columbia University, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Queen’s University and the University of Waterloo). Hansson’s research has covered many aspects of environmental degradation of materials, particularly the corrosion and erosion of metals and alloys. Over the last 30 years, her major research focus has been the durability of infrastructure materials, particularly the chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing bar and those properties of the concrete and the reinforcing alloys which affect this process. Hansson is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom. She is a member of the Order of Canada, a 1997 TMS Fellow, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences, the United Kingdom Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and the American Concrete Institute. Hansson is the recipient of a number of professional awards.

Carlos Schvezov

Lecture Title: "Production, Properties, and Applications of Titanium Dioxide Films" Speaker: Carlos Schvezov, Professor of Chemical and Natural Sciences, National University of Misones, Argentina, and CONICET Independent Researcher Date: Tuesday, February 28, 9:20 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract The production and characterization of titanium dioxide films will be presented in this lecture. The two main processes considered for film fabrication are; sol-gel deposition and anodic oxidation, mostly on pure and alloyed titanium substrates. Heat treatments applied on the composite material will also be covered. The resulting mechanical, corrosion and biological properties will be analyzed and related to performance for two main uses; as protective and haemocompatible coatings, and as a fotocatalytic surface. The morphology and structure depend on the process and mainly two types of surfaces are desired—haemocompatibility, a smooth surface, or for photocatalityc applications, a nanotubular surface which increases the contact surface. In both cases, the optimal crystal microstructure varies between rutile and anatase. The relevant properties for each application will be discussed. About the Presenter Carlos Schvezov is the director of the Materials Institute of Misiones in Posadas, Argentina (UnaM – CONICET), principal researcher in CONICET and professor in the National University of Misiones. He also holds Category I in the National Research System (SPU). He received a degree in physics from University of Rosario – Argentina, a M.Ap. Sc degree in materials at UBC – Canada, and a Ph.D. in Materials at UBC – Canada. His main research contributions are in the fields of: modeling of crystal growth, pushing, and solidification; experimental research on solidification, pushing and columnar to equiaxed transition; wear of alloys and MMC's; coating and characterization of titanium alloys with TiO2 via sol-gel and anodic oxidation techniques for hemocompatible medical devices. He has published 180 papers in international and national journals and 238 papers in reviewed proceedings, and has chaired many research offices in the university and at the provincial and national levels.

Diran Apelian

Lecture Title: "Circular Economy- A Pathway to Resource Recovery and Recycling" Speaker: Diran Apelian, Alcoa-Howmet Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract The 21st century will witness a major shift in the organization of global value chains. As Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum has stated, "This is the era in which virtual and physical systems of manufacturing will globally cooperate with each other in a flexible way." In brief, this is the era of innovation. This presentation will highlight the context of the paradigm shifts we are witnessing, and propose pathways to move forward. Of particular focus will be the circular economy as the way to create value in waste streams and develop sustainable business models in order for the solutions to be feasible. About the Presenter Diran Apelian received his B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from Drexel University (1968) and his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After graduating from MIT, he joined Bethlehem Steel’s Homer Research Laboratories. He joined Drexel University in 1976 and held various positions at Drexel, including professor, head of the Materials Engineering Department, associate dean of the College of Engineering and eventually Vice-Provost. He joined Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) 1990 as the Institute’s provost, and led the mission of broadening WPI’s academic programs and research agenda. In 1996, he headed the Metal Processing Institute (MPI) at WPI, which is an industry-university alliance dedicated to metals processing with centers in metal casting; heat treating; and resource recovery and recycling. Apelian is credited for pioneering work in molten metal processing and filtration of metals; aluminum foundry engineering; plasma deposition and spray casting/forming; and resource recovery and recycling. Apelian has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a 2006 TMS Fellow, the 2008 TMS President, a recipient of the TMS Bruce Chalmers Award, and a recipient of the Acta Materialia Holloman Award for Materials and Society. In 2010, he was recognized with the National Materials Advancement Award and the British Foundry Medal. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, European Academy of Science, and the Armenian Academy of Sciences. He is also a fellow APMI and of ASM International, and received the ASM Gold Medal in 2016. Apelian has more than 700 publications to his credit, as well as16 patents and 15 books that he has written, edited, or co-edited.

Fernando Rizzo

Lecture Title: "Nano-sized Internal Precipitation during Oxidation of an Fe-Cr Alloy in Wet Environment" Speaker: Fernando Rizzo, General Director of the Brazilian National Institute for Technology (Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia, INT) Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract Formation of nano-sized precipitates immediately under the internal oxide layer in steels and ferrous alloys exposed to oxidizing water vapour atmosphere has been observed by several researchers. In a recent study, the precipitates were identified as lath-shaped Fe-Cr spinel exhibiting a crystallographic orientation relationship with the ferritic matrix. It was proposed that these precipitates could act as a precursor to the formation of the spinel layer observed in the adjacent part of the oxide scale. The occurrence of internal oxidation in Fe–Cr alloys subjected to similar conditions had been previously identified and directly correlated to the presence of water vapor. This presentation gives a review of the subject, covering the experimental techniques employed to characterize the resulting microstructure, as well as the kinetic and thermodynamic analyses so far proposed to explain the phenomena, including the essential role of water vapor for the occurrence of the internal oxidation. About the Presenter Fernando Rizzo is the general director of the Brazilian National Institute for Technology (Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia, INT). He is also a professor at the Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), and has been the director of the Brazilian Center for the Management of Strategic Studies (CGEE) from 2006 to 2014. He earned his undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering from PUC-Rio his M.Sc. in materials science from the Military Institute of Engineering in Rio de Janeiro,,and his Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Florida. He has been a visiting professor at University of California, Los Angeles, at the University of Leeds, and at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Germany. He has published extensively on oxidation and sulfidation of metals, superconducting ceramics and phase transformations, and microstructure stability. Rizzo is an elected member of the Brazilian National Academy of Sciences, the Pan American Engineering Academy, and the Brazilian National Engineering Academy. He is a past president of the Brazilian Association for Mining, Metallurgy and Materials (ABM). He was awarded the Brazilian National Order of Scientific Merit, by the Brazilian president, and the Hubertus Colpaert Silver Medal, by ABM, both in 2002.

Enrique J. Lavernia

Lecture Title: "Recent Progress in High Entropy Alloy Research" Speaker: Enrique J. Lavernia, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, University of California, Irvine Date: Wednesday, March 1, 8:30 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract High-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as an intellectually rich area of research, partly as a result of their exceptional properties and unusual characteristics. HEAs are defined by their multi-principal-element compositions and have been described in terms of "four core effects": high entropy, severe lattice distortion, sluggish diffusion, and the cocktail effect. This lecture will focus on fundamental phenomena inherent to HEAs that have been studied since the inception of this novel material class and how understanding of these phenomena has evolved since. Published results, as well as those obtained by our research group, will be highlighted to provide insight on these phenomena and how they affect key scientific issues regarding HEAs, such as phase formation mechanisms, thermal stability, deformation mechanisms and strengthening mechanisms. Persistent challenges regarding HEAs will be addressed and experimental approaches to investigate each will be described and proposed. About the Presenter Enrique J. Lavernia is provost and executive vice chancellor, Academic Affairs for the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As provost, Lavernia is UCI’s chief academic and operating officer, with primary responsibility for the university’s teaching and research enterprise. Lavernia was previously engineering dean at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. He also served as UC Davis’ provost and executive vice chancellor for two years as the campus transitioned to a new chancellor.. Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2013, Lavernia is also a 2014 TMS Fellow, and a fellow of the Materials Research Society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and ASM International, and received the ASM Gold Medal Award in 2013. Lavernia has published more than 500 journal and 200 conference publications on topics ranging from nano-materials to aluminum alloys. His research interests include the synthesis and behavior of nanostructured and multi-scale materials with particular emphasis on processing fundamentals and physical behavior; thermal spray processing of nanostructured materials; spray atomization and deposition of structural materials; high temperature-high pressure atomization processes; and mathematical modeling of advanced materials and processes. He earned his Ph.D. in materials engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Salvador Valtierra

Lecture Title: "High Temperature Solutions through Materials and Processes for Engines under Heavy Thermal Fatigue Conditions" Speaker: Salvador Valtierra, Chief Technology Process Manager, NEMAK, Mexico Date: Wednesday, March 1, 9:10 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract In addition to reducing vehicle weight and lowering fuel consumption and emissions, current research efforts in the automotive industry have been focused on improving the high temperature performance of key engine components. This presentation will share several solutions for the design engineer to address the current demand of high performance engines and the additive effects of casting process, alloys and heat treatment, specifically in relation to preserving the mechanical and fatigue properties of the cast aluminum alloys used in such components at temperatures of 200°C to 300°C under thermal an mechanical fatigue. Also covered will be evaluation of the effects of casting process, alloy and heat treatment and microstructural variables such as solidification rate, dendrite arm spacing (DAS), level of porosity, eutectic silicon modification, and Fe-rich intermetallic phases. About the Presenter Salvador Valtierra received his undergraduate degree from the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP), and his Ph.D. in metallurgy from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. He is currently the chief technology process manager at NEMAK, and for the last five years was director of Innovation for Latin America Owens Corning. Prior to this, he was manager of Research and Development at NEMAK for 17 years, consulting professor at FIME University Autonoma de Nuevo Leon and professor of engineering at UASLP. He has published more than 80 refereed articles, holds three U.S. patents, and is a National Level III appointed researcher until 2022. He has been recognized on numerous occasions for his professional contributions, both at home and abroad.

Alejandro Toro

Lecture Title: "What Do Snakes Have to Say about Tribology? Biomimetics Applied to Friction and Wear Studies" Speaker: Alejandro Toro, Professor and Senior Researcher at Universidad Nacional de Colombia Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2:00 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract The improvement of tribological performance of engineering components is becoming increasingly relevant in the quest for safer, environmentally friendly, efficient systems for a number of applications, including power generation plants, massive public transportation and military equipment, among others. Besides monitoring the operating conditions and performing timely maintenance tasks, the selection and design of the proper structure (from the mesoscale to the nanoscale) of the surfaces involved plays a crucial role in achieving optimal performance in terms of friction coefficients and wear rates. This presentation will discuss how specific microstructural and topographical features of the surface are responsible for improved tribological response in a number of pairs including Ti6Al4V alloy-UHMWPE for total hip replacements and steel-steel for roller bearings. The modifications performed on the surfaces were based on the textural features of shed skin of python regius and red tail boa snakes, whose microstructure studied by AFM, Instrumented Nanoindentation, SEM, TEM and Raman Spectrometry will be discussed in detail. It will be shown that the friction coefficient of the texturized surfaces is consistently lower than that of conventionally produced surfaces, and that the anisotropy in the tribological response of the deterministic surfaces can be used to predict the friction behavior of the system. About the Presenter Alejandro Toro received his Ph.D. from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at University of São Paulo, Brazil. He then worked at Lehigh University as a postdoctoral associate for one year. Initially, his research focused on high nitrogen steels (HNS) and their applications in off-shore oil extraction, but later he expanded his interests to other tribological problems found in the field including cavitation and slurry erosion, rolling contact fatigue, high-temperature erosion, and thermal fatigue.He founded the Tribology and Surfaces Group of the National University of Colombia in Medellín in 2002 and has been avisiting professor at Lehigh University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and University of São Paulo. He has received a number of awards, including recognition from the National University of Colombia for meritorious research in 2005, 2008 and 2015. He has published more than 55 peer-reviewed journal papers and 80 conference papers, as well as one book chapter. His current interests include the tribological characterization of materials for hot path gas turbine components, manufacturing of bio-inspired, deterministic surfaces for dry or inadequately lubricated sliding applications and improvement of resistance to rolling contact fatigue of wheels and rails in railway systems.

Pedro D. Portella

Lecture Title: "Toward a Federation of American Materials Societies: The European Experience" Speaker: Pedro D. Portella, Department Head, Materials Engineering, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Germany Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Location: Marriott Marquis & Marina, Marina G   Abstract To be announced. About the Presenter Pedro Dolabella Portella is the head of the Department of Materials Engineering at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin, Germany. He earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from IME, the School of Engineering of the Brazilian Army in Rio de Janeiro, and received his Dr.-Ing. degree in Erlangen, Germany. He joined the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Berlin, Germany, in 1987, with one of his concentration areas being failure analysis and prevention. From 2010-2011 he was the President of FEMS, the Federation of European Materials Societies. He is an Honorary Member of FEMS, of SPM, the Portuguese Society of Materials, and of SF2M, the French Society of Metals and Materials. In 2010 he received the August Wöhler Medal of DVM, the German Association for Materials Research and Testing, and the Robert Mitsche Award of ASMET, the Austrian Society for Metallurgy and Materials.

• Argentina: Roberto Arce, Sonia Brühl, Carlos Schvezov
• Brazil: Andre Costa e Silva, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Horacidio Leal
• Canada: Mary Wells, Mihaiela Isac
• Chile: R.V. Mangalaraja, Claudio Aguilar, Marta Lopez, Enrique Miranda Salinas
• Colombia: Henry A. Colorado, Juan Manuel Velez
• Mexico: Armando Salinas-Rodriguez, Marco Ramirez-Argaez, J. Gerardo Cabanas-Moreno
• Peru: Mery Cecilia Gomez Marroquin, Yovanna Gisela Palomares Yallico, Maria Isabel Gomez Marroquin
• USA: Michael Kaufman, Diana Farkas, Olivia Graeve

• Asociación Argentina de Materiales (SAM)
• Associação Brasileira de Metalurgia, Materiais e Mineração (ABM)
• Asociación Peruana de Metalurgia, Materiales Y Minerales (APMMM)
• Colombian Materials Society
• Instituto Ingenieros de Minas de Chile (IIMCh)
• Metallurgy and Materials Society (MetSoc), Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (CIM)
• Sociedad Chilena de Metalurgia y Materiales (SOCHIM)
• Sociedad Mexicana de Materiales (SMM)
• TMS (Host Society)