Nov_Dec_AMP_Digital

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 | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 3 8 iTSSe TSS iTSSe TSS 2 PROMOTING EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC U ndoubtedly, we are living in difficult times. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are passing through the big- gest global crisis experienced since WWII. And at this time, the pandemic is deeply affecting everybody on the plan- et, regardless of geographic location. In our thermal spray community, OEMs, equipment and feedstock suppliers, aswell as thermal spray service centers had to improvise and adapt to keep business flowing. A similar approach was also applied in universities and government R&D settings. The majority, if not all of the face-to-face thermal spray events planned for 2020 had to be cancelled. It has been very challenging, to say the least. However, in the wake of this disaster, humanity showed once again some of its most important characteristics, those being perseverance, creativity, and ingenuity. We utilized the tools available to us and very quickly adjusted. Suddenly, professional networking links and communication platforms, which were out there but not fully explored, became house- hold names within a fewmonths. And from those communica- tion tools—whichhavebecome thegreat equalizer inproviding accessibility to virtual content globally—some amazing initia- tives have flourished. For example, the Thermal Spray Society (TSS) organized its very first virtual event on June 18 (ITSC 2021 Preview: Coat- ings for Anti-Virus, Bacteria, and Fungus Applications). The free virtual session drewapproximately 350 attendees fromall over the world. Following that success, on October 26-28, ASM held IMAT — The Virtual Edition, during which a keynote presenta- tion was given by one of the most prominent members of our TSS community, Distinguished Professor Chris Berndt, FASM, TSS-HoF (Swinburne University of Technology - Australia). Also, as part of IMAT — The Virtual Edition, a special TSS ses- sion was held featuring some excellent thermal spray papers. This IMAT virtual conference was free for ASMmembers, NACE members, and students. In addition, other compelling events from various indi- viduals and institutions have popped up. For instance, Prof. Bertrand Jodoin (University of Ottawa – Canada) organized the uOttawa Cold Spray Lab Carte Blanche series, in which members of the ther- mal spray community were invited to give informal presentations and inter- act with his students via webinars. This format aims to “break the ice” between experienced professionals and the next generation of thermal sprayers. Another fantastic example is coming from Stony Brook University (USA), where Ph.D. stu- dent Edward Gildersleeve organized a similar type of webinar-based, informal chat session between the current and upcoming generation of Stony Brook thermal sprayers. This initiative is very special because it is a grass roots effort, rather than being top down, which means that lead- ership is flourishing among our young population. The ARC- SEAM (Australia) is also inviting accomplished thermal spray professionals from different parts of the world to present free webinars. The recorded videos are subsequently postedon the ARC-SEAMwebsite. These initiatives are very encouraging. Inspired by these amazing developments, we are proud to announce the TSS Open Mic Series. Based on Prof. Bertrand Jodoin’s initiative, Charles Kay, FASM, (ASB Industries – USA) realized the amazing opportunity and suggested incorporating it as a TSS program. These virtual sessions are geared toward thermal spray students, post-docs, and emerging profession- als. Via an open, informal format, it will allow participants to “meet” experts, potential employers, or customers, and ex- change knowledge. Of course, these web-based interactions will never re- place face-to-face events, which we are all eagerly planning and preparing to return to. However, in the meantime, they can help us to address one of the most important social issues we have today i.e., spreading equal opportunities to all. Rogerio S. Lima ASM Thermal Spray Society Vice President EDITORIAL Lima COVID-19: ASM International has beenmonitoring the development of COVID-19 and assessing its possible impacts to our society’s activities. As the situation evolves, we continuouslymonitor updates and followprotocols established by all local, state, and federal health officials. For up-to-date information, visit itscevent.org or contact events@asminternational.org .