Presented by: Mr Dale Hume, President, Thermtest

Showcase Description: TPS Slab Anisotropic Module, a recent development to the transient plane source (TPS, ISO 22007-2) method allows anisotropic measurement of thin sheets (0.3 to 10 mm) for axial and radial thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and volumetric specific heat. Compared to the usual TPS Anisotropic method, the inclusion of user-entered volumetric specific heat is no longer necessary, making the testing of anisotropic materials more accessible.

Presented by:  Dr. John Sosa, CEO and Co-Founder, MIPAR Software

Presentation Description: Pioneering the next wave of innovation in materials micrograph analysis, MIPAR introduces Spotlight, a cutting-edge extension that harnesses zero-shot learning to redefine feature detection. Since 2017, we’ve led innovation in this space, and Spotlight continues this tradition by combining zero-shot learning, deep learning, and conventional image processing. This integration not only simplifies micrograph analysis but also enhances its power, eliminating the need for time-consuming labeling processes. Spotlight’s zero-shot model, trained on a diverse dataset, accurately identifies and classifies novel features, opening new avenues for material behavior discovery. This breakthrough signifies a monumental step in applying AI to demystify material complexities, offering an indispensable tool for researchers and industry professionals. Join us in exploring the potential of Spotlight to catalyze breakthroughs in materials science and engineering.

Presented by: Dr. Carol Hirschmugl, CEO, Conovate

Showcase Description: COnovate’s patented eCOphite™ technology delivers a domestic, sustainable solution for battery manufacturers that addresses supply chain anxiety and delivers enhanced performance and safety. Over 90% of the incumbent anode material, graphite, originates from China which is now implementing severe export restrictions. It is a matter of national security interest to find domestic sources for battery materials that remove dependencies on foreign high-risk geographies.

We will outline the breath of possible bio-feedstocks that have been demonstrated and how this will ultimately enable local, reliable supply of anode material to battery manufacturers. With physical attributes similar to graphite, this material enables seamless adoption with current manufacturing infrastructure and battery designs allowing accelerated adoption of our material.

Product development efficiency software tools, powered by AI, are transforming how performance material companies work. These tools take care of repetitive tasks like data collection and analysis, they improve teamwork by keeping data and insights in one place, and enable access to broader insights which may have otherwise been missed. With the right infrastructure in place, researchers can then use AI to sift through huge datasets to predict how materials will perform, and zero in on the best options quickly. Uncountable will demonstrate with their software, how companies can experiment and iterate more efficiently while using their own experimental data for AI and machine learning.

Presented by: Christopher Melnyk, Director of Business Development, California Nanotechnologies

Showcase Description: This presentation explores the advantages of combining advanced cryogenic milling and Field-Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST), also known as Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). These processes offer a revolutionary approach to synthesizing novel materials, particularly High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) and high-temperature ceramic composites. Cryogenic milling, performed below -150°C, creates powders with controlled microstructures and particle sizes ranging from conventional to nano-scale. FAST SPS diffusion bonds solids and rapidly consolidates powdered materials into dense, high-performance components using pressure and pulsed direct current, resulting in several advantages. These integrations reduce processing time and allow for rapidly exploring various compositions and structures. The developed materials exhibit superior mechanical, thermal, and corrosion properties, making them ideal for arrays of emerging technologies including Hypersonics, Fusion, and Green Energy. This approach facilitates the rapid resolution of material property challenges and enables the direct production of bulk materials and complex geometry components from novel material solutions.

Presented by: Dr. Alexander O’Brien, CEO and Co-Founder, Atome

Showcase Description: With advancements in technology over the last several years, additive manufacturing has reached a level of maturity that allows researchers to look outside of geometric design and consider how the unique mechanisms involved can result in powerful, never-before-seen alloy compositions. Metal matrix composites, in which small quantities of ceramics are added as strengthening agents and property modifiers, are among the most developed of these new types of compositions, but the room for exploration and improvement is still vast. In this talk, we will explore how new startup company AtoMe Inc is developing metal matrix composites to address advanced technology challenges such as nuclear fusion, as well as how the technology can be applied across the 3D printing industry to improve quality and printability and access new applications with high quality materials.