February AMP_Digital

HIGHL IGHTS A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 9 6 9 IMAT 2020 UPDATE Special JTST Issue on Biomaterials: Thermal Spray Processes and Applications The December 2018 issue of the Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (JTST) is a special issue on “Biomaterials: Thermal Spray Processes and Applications.” The 16 articles in this issue represent the current state of the art con- cerning the thermal spray of bio- materials, and concentrate on the materials science and engineering of coatings intended for implant applications. In the case of components for biomedical implants, the nature of the surface is vital for clinical success. Whilemany of the papers focus on the material hydroxyapa- tite, on which active coatings for implants are often based, this special issue covers a broad spectrum of interests, i.e., applications, reviews, thermal spray processing, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Bioengineering is an important discipline in today’s world. There is an ever-increasing demand for implants to last longer with minimal rejection rates and faster recovery rates. As an implant interfaces with and mimics the prop- erties and characteristics of bone, it is important to under- stand the nature of bone so that appropriate engineering criteria can be formulated. Additionally, a primary issue for all implants concerns their interaction with the host tissue, which is most commonly measured with respect to biocompatibility. The tissue-implant interaction controls the success or failure of the bioengineered system between the host and prosthesis. Thus, comprehending the surface science of prostheses is critical in achieving good medical outcomes. It follows that modification of the prosthesis/ appliance surface is a promising route to achieving positive patient outcomes. This special issue was organized by Andrew Ang and Christopher C. Berndt, FASM, TSS-HoF, Swinburne Univer- sity of Technology, Australia, and Rehan Ahmed, Herriot Watt University, U.K. The co-editors strongly believe that this JTST special edition will be resourced as a spring- board for future advancements in this fascinating area of applied science and technology that directly benefits our quality of life. IMAT 2020 Update James D. Cotton, FASM, and Luc Pouliot—IMAT 2020 Co-chairs Planning for the new Interna- tional Materials & Applications Con- ference (IMAT 2020), to take place in Cleveland next year, is well underway. IMAT represents the evolution of ASM International’s annual event from a shared conference to a focused inter- national event representing both tra- ditional and emerging materials topics that are well aligned with the interests of ASM’s membership base. Traditional symposia topics will include: alloy development, phase diagrams and equilibria, heat treat- ment, surface treatment, failure anal- ysis, and characterization methods. New and world-trending tracks will include: medical and biomaterials, functional materials, additive materials and manufacturing, digital materials definition and informat- ics, materials for renewable energy, materials sustainability challenges, and materials enabling robotic and automated processes. The technical advisory board for IMAT incorporates all of ASM’s affiliate societies (EDFAS, FAS, HTS, IMS, SMST, and TSS), NACE, Ceramics Industry, and ASM’s materials data- base partner, Granta Design Ltd., as well as the AeroMat, ASM Programming, and Women in Engineering committees. This evolution will see a focus on critical materials and process technologies affecting global industries and create a forum to share stories of how these barriers are being sur- mounted to solve global materials challenges. Collabora- tion between academia, government, and industrial teams as well as researchers and technology implementers will be key to successful progress on these fronts, and is likewise the goal of this conference. Cleveland is a historic center of industry and manufac- turing, as well as the birthplace of ASM International, mak- ing it the ideal location to kick off this exciting new event. We hope to see you there! Cotton Pouliot