[Image above] Attendees check-in at Electronic Materials and Applications 2017 with ACerS staffers Marilyn Stoltz and Greg Geiger. Credit: ACerS
Greetings from the Electronic Materials and Applications 2017 conference!
The meeting, jointly organized by ACerS Basic Science Division and Electronics Division, welcomed a record 391 attendees to Orlando, Florida, for the eighth edition of this conference.
Plenary speakers lived up to EMA standards for excellence—good solid science told in the context of the “big picture” of applications.
Sossina Haile from Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.) presented her work using thermolysis to produce hydrogen gas, the obvious vital component to implementing a hydrogen economy.
Neil Alford from Imperial College London in the United Kingdom talked about his work on masers—microwave amplification by stimulation emission of radiation. According to Alford, “Economic growth is dependent on microwave communications,” and these complex materials systems will be needed to advance communications technologies.
The poster session on Wednesday night was one of the most lively that I’ve witnessed. It may have helped that the Electronics Division leaders decided to judge all posters for their Best Poster award, which gave everyone a chance to tell their story.
Student participation here has been especially strong, with several professors bringing their groups with them. In addition, ACerS and ECerS partnered again this year to hold the second Winter Workshop.
Winter Workshop’s 24 attendees will stay after the conference for a day-long program tailored to career development and a tour of Kennedy Space Center. In addition, the Basic Science Division continued its tradition of orienting students with a tutorial, this year on the topic of ceramic microstructure evolution.
Enjoy these images from the meeting, and be sure to read the ACerS Bulletin next month for more from Florida!
For most, EMA begins with a close inspection of the symposia sessions and talks. Credit: ACerS
Sossina Haile gave Wednesday’s plenary lecture on her research using thermolysis to produce hydrogen for alternative energy. Haile is professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Credit: ACerS
Thursday’s plenary speaker, Neil Alford from Imperial College London, talked about research into masers (microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). Advances in this area will lead to advances in microwave communications. Credit: ACerS
Students and researchers presented their work informally at the poster session Wednesday night. Student posters were judged, and awards for the best three were presented at the conference dinner Thursday. Credit: ACerS
Eva Smith of Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) gives her talk at the lunchtime student presentation session. Credit: ACerS
Who says a poster has to be made of paper? Organizers invited several attendees to try out an “interactive poster” concept with slides, video, and visual aids. Credit: ACerS
A poolside reception for young professionals and students gave the field’s rising researchers a chance to network and make friends. Credit: ACerS