Future of Materials Conference 2021
IOM3 Student & Early Career Group held its biennial Future of Materials Conference on 13 December at University of Birmingham, focusing on disseminating knowledge among early career materials, minerals and mining scientists and present their research.
Researchers from around the UK joined together to present their talks ranging from bio-based plastics, metamaterials to organic metal frameworks and sustainable aluminum.
One of our keynote speakers Dr James Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, caught up with us after the event, ‘I really enjoyed the conference. It's a group of professionals who in my view represent the best of academia. Friendly, approachable, personable, keen to share their work and always looking beyond their individual discipline. I believe if we can strive to collaborate more between schools and academia there could be some fantastic outcomes. It was heartening to discuss teaching as a career with a few of the delegates and maybe some of those fantastic, enthusiastic scientists might think about shifting into teaching and inspire the next generation of early career researchers.’
IOM3 presented an award to the best talk presented by Dr Ilija Rasovic MIMMM, Conference Chair, who said, ‘The winning presentation spoke clearly, confidently and made us want to listen. Her presentation made a convincing story with solid science.’
Congratulations to Anna Tholen from Loughborough University, UK, for her talk on ‘Understanding local microstructural evolution in tool steel processed by laser powder bed infusion additive manufacturing.’ Anna said, ‘I had a fantastic time at the IOM3 Future Materials Conference. Having the opportunity to present some of my most exciting research, as well as meeting lots of interesting and passionate researchers, really made for a great day. To have received the prize for best presentation was a pleasant surprise, and for that I would like to thank my supervisors at Loughborough University and my industrial collaborators at Renishaw Plc for their continuing support throughout my PhD. I am looking forward to attending more IOM3 events in the future.’
With thanks to Rolls-Royce plc, Henry Royce Institute and Midas for their sponsorship at the event.
