SAMPE Journal - May/June 2013 - (Page 5)

A Note from the Technical DirecTor Dr. Scott W. Beckwith SAMPE Journal Technical Editor swbeckwith@aol.com SAMPE – Addressing Critical Issues in Materials, Process Engineering and National Interests SAMPE members have always played an active part over the years in conducting valuable research and advancing technology on many fronts critical to materials and process engineering. Why not? As a professional society that is exactly what our mission is and members globally have always risen to the challenge of advancing technology on leading edge numerous fronts. All one has to do is look at the technology papers, keynote presentations, featured lectures, panels and activities associated with SAMPE’s various conference offerings to see how technology needs are being addressed during the year. At the same time SAMPE recognizes that one of the powers of membership numbers and industry position is the fact that the society as a whole has the potential to speak out on various critical national topics due to our strength in leading such technology. In the past a number of critical national and global issues regarding materials technologies have attracted significant attention. Pollution, climate control, greenhouse gases, environmental impact, health and safety issues, and numerous other topics have had a tendency to cycle back to concerns over material sources, types and processes. Internationally a number of countries are looking into “carbon tax” regulation, recycling, process restrictions, and other options to better enhance the environment that we live in. Quite often government agencies rely upon information supplied to them from groups with very specific interests that often are not supported thoroughly with sound engineering and scientific information on related technologies. Consequently, critical issue reports and decisions are left to the government agencies to pursue policies that lack credible foundation or complete factual research details. As a result, decisions are often made that not only hinder reasonable technological advances but may well restrict whole industries significantly. As a premier technical society, SAMPE has the expertise and membership strength to comment on many of these critical technology issues. Some issues are often pertinent to a particular country or region – such as US ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) that control discussion on certain technologies pertaining to materials, process engineering and technology exchange. Other topics such as alternative energy technology (wind, solar, geothermal, nuclear, hydro, etc.) with respect to fossil fuel replacement or supplement are technology topics that reach across all continents and governments. SAMPE has the strength, the position globally and the responsibility technically to participate in addressing critical national and global technology issues. As a society SAMPE will utilize its technical expertise to provide input on critical issues as they arise. SAMPE Journal, Volume 49, No. 3, May/June 2013 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - May/June 2013

SAMPE Journal - May/June 2013
Contents
President’s Message
Technical Director’s Corner
Mechanical Properties of Bio-Fibers for Composite Materials
SAMPE Journal Editorial Calender
Corporate Partners
Materials & Products
Welcome SAMPE’s Newest Members
SAMPE Proceedings
Resin Transfer Moulding of Composite Panels with Bio-Based Resins
Europe News & Views
SAMPE Europe’s SETEC 13 Wuppertal, Germany
Innovative and Sustainable Approaches to Enhance Fire Resistance of Cellulosic Fibers for Green Polymer Composites
Class of 2013-SAMPE Fellows
The SAMPE Foundation
SAMPE Tech 2013|Wichita, KS
SAMPE Tech 2014|Call for Papers
Industry News
Perspectives
SAMPE 2013|Long Beach
SAMPE 2013 Exhibitor Listing
SAMPE 2013 Show Floor
SAMPE 2013 Exhibitor Products & Services
Advertiser’s Index
Resource Center
Industry Events Calendar
Chapter Contacts

SAMPE Journal - May/June 2013