TOP STORY

CCM Celebrates Jack Vinson and 30 Years

When Jack Vinson put forth his vision to create a “mecca” for composite materials research and education” at the University of Delaware in 1974, he never dreamed that he would be celebrating the 30th anniversary of that “mecca” with a symposium that also honored his 40 years of service to UD. But that’s exactly what happened on July 6, 2004, when 85 representatives of academia, industry, and government converged on Clayton Hall for the Jack R. Vinson Research Symposium.

But anyone who knows Vinson was not surprised at the Center’s decision to commemorate its three decades of history with an event honoring Jack. Vinson’s contributions are so numerous and varied that even forty years seems insufficient for him to have accomplished all that he has: seven seminal texts on composites authored or edited, hundreds of papers written, some 60 graduate students advised, thousands of students taught in the classroom. Consultant to over 40 corporations, expert witness for 94 law firms, and ASME/AIAA/ASC/ICCM session organizer par excellence.

The list goes on, but Vinson’s “career descriptors” were perhaps best enumerated by former CCM colleague R. Byron Pipes at the symposium: “vision, enthusiasm, cheerleader for composites, global reach, longevity, and legacy.” Vinson pioneered research in areas ranging from laminated plates and shells to adhesive joints, high strain rate effects, and sandwich construction. One of his colleagues, in fact, refers to him as “the Earl of Sandwich.”

The Symposium agenda comprised 13 technical talks by recognized experts in the field of composites from academia and government agencies including NASA, ONR, and AFRL (see sidebar). The program reads like a current “Who’s Who” of the composites world. Many of these distinguished speakers contributed not only papers but also tributes to Vinson, including such accolades as role model, inspiration, heart and soul of the department, beloved teacher, and prolific scholar.

In his opening remarks, ME Department Chair Tom Buchanan referred to Vinson as a “professor in the best sense of the word.” The foreword to the proceedings was written by four of Vinson’s students who earned their doctoral degrees in the early 1970s. The four mentioned Vinson’s legacies, thanked him for his “teaching, mentoring, guidance, and friendship,” and noted how fortunate they were to have been part of his life.

Without Vinson’s vision and dedication, it is doubtful that the Composites Center would have been established. However, the Center not only got off the ground but also thrived to celebrate three decades of research, education, and service to the composites industry. In welcoming attendees to the symposium, University Provost Daniel Rich referred to the Center as “a model—by design, not accident—for interdisciplinary research at UD. Its success has paralleled that of University research.”

So, a commemoration of the longevity of a man with vision and that of the Center he helped found brought together individuals with a wealth of knowledge about the ever-evolving field of advanced composites. Attendees heard about the latest research on topics ranging from fatigue, failure, and mechanics to advanced processing techniques and new engineered materials. And they also celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of one very special pioneer in the field.

OTHER NEWS

International Conference on Flow Processes Hosted by CCM is First in the U. S.

Sponsored by

From July 7–9, 2004, the Seventh International Conference on Flow Processes in Composite Materials (FPCM) took place at the University’s Clayton Hall. First held in 1988, the FPCM Conference is devoted to the manufacturing and processing of polymer-matrix composites.

According to Conference Chair Suresh Advani, Associate Director of CCM, “FPCM has met every two to three years to attract high-quality research papers and provide a forum for discussion among academics and industrialists.” The first five meetings were held in Europe, and the sixth was in New Zealand. FPCM-7 was the first to be held in the United States.

As an international center of excellence in composites, CCM was certainly an appropriate host for this global meeting. International Advisory Board members represented countries throughout the world, including New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Ireland, and Canada.

“We were very pleased to host this meeting and to have our Associate Director serve as the Chair,” said CCM Director Jack Gillespie. “Suresh Advani is a well-recognized expert in the area of liquid molding processing and an excellent choice to lead the conference.”

The three-day dual-session meeting featured 84 papers on themes ranging from traditional topics such as thermoplastic processing, short-fiber composites processing, and resin transfer molding to such emerging technologies as processing of nanocomposites, biodegradable and “green” processing, and flow in multifunctional composites.

Sponsored by the Boeing Company, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the conference attracted some 170 attendees from 23 countries and 93 organizations. Speakers provided a range of perspectives from government agencies and academic institutions to large and small companies.

“We were very pleased to have this major meeting take place at the University of Delaware,” said Advani. “The talks covered the entire gamut of issues in this field, and it was exciting to hear the latest findings in some emerging areas. New processes that can enhance flow and impregnation are enabling the manufacture of parts without the size and geometric limitations of earlier processes. Advances in flow control are helping to eliminate undesirable variabilities in the final product. And flow and cure simulations continue to be important in process design, optimization, and control.”

“While the reputation of our Center helped us to attract participants and attendees,” he concluded, “we couldn’t have done it without the help of the scientific advisory board and the local organizing committee.

“In addition, the authors of the conference papers are all well-known and respected members of the composites community. I believe that their combined work, in the form of the conference proceedings, will enhance our understanding of manufacturing science in composite materials and will form the foundation for further improvement and discoveries in advanced materials.”

The proceedings from the symposium can be purchased for $100 by contacting Corinne Hamed.

Catalysis Award Goes to Professor Chen
Jingguang Chen, one of CCM's affiliated faculty, received the 2004 Catalysis Club of Philadelphia Award on May 20. Chen, a professor of chemical engineering, has been involved in Composite Materials Technology projects on fuel cells and carbide coatings. The catalysis award was given to Professor Chen in recognition of his current research, which focuses on the physical and chemical properties of bimetallic and metal carbide surfaces and their applications to technologies ranging from catalysts to fuel cells. The award also recognized Chen’s impact on catalysis research at UD’s Center for Catalytic Science and Technology (CCST), where he has served as Director since 2000.

Wide Recognition for CCM Students
Several awards, in addition to those presented by CCM on Honors Day, have been given to CCM students recently. These awards show the breadth of recognition for CCM students.

Exceptional Dissertation
The 2004 Allan P. Colburn Prize was awarded to Erik Thostenson, a CCM graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. The Allan P. Colburn Prize in Engineering and Mathematical Sciences is awarded each year to a doctoral student named by a faculty selection committee as the recipient of this outstanding dissertation award. The award was announced by Mary Martin, Assistant Provost of Graduate Studies, at the hooding ceremony in May. As a PhD student under the guidance of Tsu-Wei Chou, Erik made pioneering contributions to the development of nanocomposite materials. He received national and international recognition for his research efforts to synthesize, characterize and model aligned nanotube arrays for nanoscale devices and composites at the Center for Composite Materials. In 2002, Erik was the recipient of the SAMPE Outstanding Graduate Student Award taking first place in the Ph.D. Student Symposium.

Outstanding Senior
The University Alumni Association presented their esteemed Alexander J. Taylor Sr. Award for Outstanding Senior to Charles Collins-Chase this year. As a research intern under Dr. Richard Wool at The Center for Composite Materials, Chuck wrote his thesis on synthesizing polymers from renewable resources, such as soybean oil, as an alternative to polymers derived from petroleum. Nominees for the Taylor award must demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Chuck received a monetary award of $2,000, was invited to lead the alumni delegates’ procession at the U. D. Commencement, and was honored at a luncheon with President Roselle.

Two SAMPE-UD Students Win Prizes in Student Symposium
Xiao Gao, a PhD candidate working at CCM, took first place in the Ph.D. portion of the SAMPE Graduate/Senior Student Award and Symposium Competition in Long Beach, CA. Gao's participation began with the local competition through the Baltimore/Washington chapter of SAMPE in February. As a result, Gao was selected as a finalist in the national student symposium, and SAMPE sponsored her trip to participate in the 49th International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition in California.

Each finalist submitted a technical paper for the final stage of the competition. Gao’s paper, "New Surface Modification Technique for Improvement of Composite Impact Performance," was judged on technical content, originality, significance of the research, and presentation. As the winner, Gao will receive a society-sponsored trip to Paris in April of 2005 to present her research at the SAMPE-Europe 26th International Conference and Forums.

Jack Gillespie is Xiao Gao's advisor in research on interface mechanics including the microdroplet and other tests. Gao served as the president of the SAMPE-UD student chapter for 2003-2004.
Also at the 49th International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, Matthew Smith won a SAMPE Undergraduate Award and a check for $1,000. In this national competition, students are asked to fill out an application, submit a reference from their Research Advisor and provide official transcripts for their entire college education. Matt worked as a research assistant at CCM for Shridhar Yarlagadda. He worked on several projects including a Fire Research Materials Project which involved the testing and analysis of fire-damaged AS4/3501-6 carbon fiber composite panels from the wings of aircraft. Matt also worked with Thermal Lamination – a project that involves the use of thermal and infrared radiation to bond layers of carbon composite fibers, glass fibers, and polymer sheets to yield a rapidly produced and high strength panel.
Recognition for “Brilliance in Research”
The Combustion Institute awarded its prestigious Bernard Lewis Gold Medal Award to CCM’s Dan Norton and four other recipients. The Institute is an educational non-profit, scientific society whose purpose is to promote and disseminate research in combustion science. The Medal is given "for brilliant research in the field of combustion". Dan was competing with researchers from all over the world as there are 28 countries involved with the Institute. The Award was presented at the 30th International Symposium of the Combustion Institute held at the University of Illinois at Chicago from July 25 to 30, 2004.

Dan Norton is a chemical engineering graduate student working on a Composite Materials Technology project on fabrication and testing of lightweight catalytic micropower generators. Associate Professor Dionisios Vlachos, CCM-affiliated faculty, and Dr. Eric Wetzel of the Army Research Lab lead this effort.

JOB OPENINGS

As one of the services CCM provides to consortium members and government sponsors, job openings are announced in our newsletter and posted on our website at www.ccm.udel.edu/opportunities/index.html. Jobs posted this month include

Cytec Engineered Materials
• Technical Service Engineer (Anaheim, CA)
• Applications Development/Research Engineer or Sr. Research Engineer (Anaheim, CA)
• Application Engineers – NAPR PRIM (Tempe, AZ or Anaheim, CA or Greenville,TX)
• Product Manager – NAPR PRIM (North America/Pacific Rim- Preform & Resin Infusion Materials) Location: (Tempe,
AZ or Anaheim, CA)

Gentex Corporation
• Composites Engineer (Carbondale, PA)

CONSORTIUM NEWS

Thanks to all partners, represented by the logos shown below, who support CCM. We’d like to send a special thanks to our newest members, Gordon Composites, Inc of Montrose, CA, and DIAB Inc. of DeSoto, TX, and also to Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. and Composite Sourcing Solutions for renewing their membership in June and July. To find out more about this program and the various benefits offered to participants, please go to www.ccm.udel.edu/Consortium/

PUBLICATIONS

Recent Publications in Journals
Tierney, J., J. W. Gillespie, Jr., Crystallization kinetics behavior of PEEK based composites exposed to high heating and cooling rates, Composites Part (A), Elsevier Publishing, 35, pp. 547-558, 2004.

Recent Publications in Conference Proceedings
Heider, D., A. Dominauskas, Z. Yu, M. K .Yoon, K. Black, E. Udd, W. Schulz, S. Kreger, M. Kunzler, Embedded sensor based process and health monitoring system of a composite bridge deck, 11th European Conference on Composite Materials, Rhodes, Greece, May 31 – June 3, 2004.

Wool, R. P., J. Lu, E. Can, W. Thielemans, L. Zhu, L. Bonnaillie, J. LaScala, C. Hong, M. Dweib, I. McAninch, A. Kulbick, B. Hu, H. W. Shenton III, Bio-based composites, 11th European Conference on Composite Materials, Rhodes, Greece, May 31 – June 3, 2004.

Obaid, A. A., M. E. Foley, A. Chatterjee and J. W. Gillespie Jr., Tailored interphase properties of glass/epoxy composites, SAMPE International Symposium, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, May 16 – 20, 2004.

Obaid, A. A., J. G. Sloan, M. A. Lamontia, A. Paesano, S. Khan, J. W. Gillespie, Jr., Test method development to quantify the in situ elastic and plastic behavior of 62%Sn-36%Pb-2%Ag solder ball arrays in commercial area array packages at -40°C, 23°C, and 125°C, SAMPE International Symposium, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, May 16 – 20, 2004.

Obaid, A. A. , J. G. Sloan, M. A. Lamontia, A. Paesano, S. Khan, J. W. Gillespie, Jr., Experimental in situ characterization and creep modeling of tin-based solder joints on commercial area array packages at -40°C, 23°C, and 125°C, SAMPE International Symposium, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, May 16 – 20, 2004.

Yoon, M. K., D. Heider, J. W. Gillespie, Jr., C. P. Ratcliffe, R. M. Crane, Damage detection in large-scale composite structures via vibration technique using MEMS accelerometers, 49th International SAMPE Symposium/Exhibition, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, May 18 – 20, 2004.

Yarlagadda, S., A. A. Obaid, M. K. Yoon, N. Hager, R. Domszy, An automated technique for measuring crack propagation during Mode 1 DCB testing, SEM X International Congress & Exposition, Hilton Costa Mesa, June 7 – 10, 2004.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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