SAMPE Journal - January/February 2021 - 2

FROM THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

SAMPE's Position on
Emerging Technologies
DR. SCOTT W. BECKWITH, FSAMPE

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scott@sampe.org | swbeckwith@aol.com

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merging technologies - knowing about them and their applications in the industries we serve, is the backbone of any technical society.
SAMPE has two critical committees that address both the strategic and tactical issues associated with emerging technologies. One com-

mittee, Emerging Technologies, led by Jeff Sloan, Rocky Mountain Chapter, has the research responsibility to identify and follow upcoming
technologies which appear to be drawing attention to future advances or appear to be mentioned as upcoming growth areas within advancing materials or process engineering areas where SAMPE's missions are critically important. Emerging Technology is where we might have
previously located " Nanotechnology " or " Graphene Materials " when they first were mentioned. Or in terms of today's automation, areas
associated with " Factory of the Future 4.0 " or " Internet of Things " which are now top-of-mind for SAMPE members who are applying these
ideas right now, on their factory floors.
SAMPE's other committee, Technical Excellence,

led by Robert Brushaber, South Texas Chapter, is

venues and featured speakers that can address emerging technologies and distributing such information readily to those eager for this information.

the tactical committee that works with our spon-

Currently, SAMPE's Technical Excellence Committee and conferences are hit-

soring chapters and committees to put on technical

ting several " tactical technologies " very hard with strong interest from event at-

conferences, workshops, seminars, and leadership

tendees. Additive manufacturing, still a rapidly growing technology, Industry 4.0,

summits, all to expand educational opportunities to

sometimes termed Composites Factory of the Future 4.0, thermoplastic compos-

SAMPE's members, non-members and the materials

ites, particularly across numerous industries in addition to aerospace, multi-func-

and process engineering community globally. Both

tional materials (Nanomaterials, Graphene, Hybrid Fiber Composites), bonding

committees are extremely important to satisfying

and joining dissimilar materials, and high temperature/extreme temperature ma-

SAMPE's overall mission of educating its membership

terials, especially hypersonic applications - are all high-level interest areas being

on emerging technology development and its expan-

addressed through SAMPE-sponsored events.

sion to real-world applications in relatively short pe-

However, emerging technologies are certainly upcoming areas where the focus
is increasing toward moving information, as it rapidly develops, to the forefront.

riods of time.
Over time, SAMPE has addressed the expansion

As readers see some of these technologies mention in the news, in various trade

of " Nanotechnology " from initial understanding of

magazines, or in programs solicited or awarded in government publications, sev-

the technology of the various materials and subcate-

eral areas currently are not only on the leading edge but are also being pursued for

gories themselves, to actually being able to produce,

discussion at conferences (whether on-site or virtual). For example, one is seeing

prepare, and then process actual products that utilize

much more of the following topic areas:

nanomaterials to enhance the maker's desired performance. If one looks at our current technology programs, specifically the SAMPE Spring and CAMX Fall

* Automated Manufacturing Processes * Electric Vehicles (Ground, Rail, Air, etc.)
* Energy Storage Technology

* Factory of the Future 4.0
(numerous industries)

conference events, plus our SAMPE Regional confer-

* Hydrogen Technology Applications

ences (China, Europe, Japan) - one quickly observes

* Hypersonics

numerous technological advances in key subject ar-

* Modeling & Simulation Technologies * Multifunctional Materials

eas where emerging technology is being covered. In
addition, SAMPE is developing timely online (virtual)

* Internet of Things/Machine Learning

* Recycling Applications

* Sustainability

* Thermoplastic Market Expansions

* Urban Air Mobility
Continued on page 4

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SAMPE Journal - January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAMPE Journal - January/February 2021
