TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEW TOOLS STREAMLINE ANNUAL MEETING PLANNING
Daily Newsletter and Personal Conference Scheduler Keep Attendees on Track

LEAD-FREE TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP . . .
. . . Kicks Off 2006 TMS Annual Meeting

FROM OUR SPONSOR: THERMO-CALC SOFTWARE--A LEADING DEVELOPER OF THERMODYNAMIC AND DIFFUSION CONTROLLED SIMULATION SOFTWARE
Computational Tools to Reduce Costs/Increase Innovation/Save Time

TMS ADDS TWO NEW GLOBAL PARTNERS . . .
. . . From Australia and South Africa

HOW TO . . .
. . . Take Advantage of Affiliate Membership Programs

FROM OUR SPONSOR: PROCESS GAS HANDLING AND FUGITIVE EMISSION CONTROL FOR METALLURGICAL PLANTS--SINGAPORE 2006
Speakers Include Paykan Safe—WorleyParsons GCT, Noel Luera—Nucor Texas, and Peter Lee—Inco Technical Services

WASHINGTON NEWS FROM THE FEDERATION OF MATERIALS SOCIETIES
President's Initiative Welcomed--With Caveats--on the Hill

SUPPORT FEDERAL FUNDING OF R&D . . .
. . . At 2006 Congressional Visits Days in March

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS ADDED TO TMS PROGRAM
New Division Awards Recognize Outstanding Service and Excellence

JOM SURVEYS READERS . . .
. . . On Technical Content and Utility

Daily Newsletter and Personal Conference Scheduler Keep Attendees on Track

Both prior to and during the 2006 TMS Annual Meeting, attendees can stay up-to-date on meeting activities and plan their schedules accordingly using the on-line TMS Personal Conference Scheduler and the new at-meeting newsletter Today: TMS 2006, which will be distributed daily to meeting attendees.

The TMS Personal Conference Scheduler (PCS), which allows attendees to formulate a meeting schedule based on technical program offerings, committee meetings, and special conference events, has recently been updated to allow users to schedule activities not included in the TMS calendar of events. Attendees can now use PCS to schedule both technical presentations and lunch with a client or coffee with a colleague.

At the meeting, the Today: TMS 2006 newsletter will update attendees on changes to the conference program and scheduled activities and provide a daily look at meeting highlights and news. The 2006 TMS Annual Meeting will run March 12–16 in San Antonio, Texas.

. . . Kicks Off 2006 TMS Annual Meeting

Before the bulk of the 2006 TMS Annual Meeting programming begins, the TMS Electronic Packaging and Interconnection Materials Committee will present a one-day workshop on lead-free solder technology open to all meeting attendees. The Lead-Free Technology Workshop will be held on Sunday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Salon I at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. There is no additional charge to attend this workshop for meeting attendees.

A total of ten presentations are planned, divided into two sections on lead-free implementation issues and solutions and new lead-free technologies. Invited speakers will discuss experiences, learning, and knowledge on second-level interconnects, including lead-free surface finish and long-term reliability assessment, as well as lead-free flip chip technologies and emerging lead-free technologies for future packaging needs.

Computational Tools to Reduce Costs/Increase Innovation/Save Time

Thermo-Calc Software is a leading developer of software and databases for calculations involving computational thermodynamics and diffusion controlled simulations.

Thermo-Calc:
Thermo-Calc is a powerful tool for performing thermodynamic calculations for multi-component systems involving phase equilibria, meta-stable equilibria, phase transformations, phase diagrams, and various thermodynamic properties.

DICTRA:
DICTRA, coupled with Thermo-Calc, is a powerful tool for simulating a wide variety of scientific and industrial applications involving diffusion in multicomponent alloys. Such applications include:

• Homogenization of alloys.
• Carburizing/decarburizing of steels.
• Micro-segregation during solidification.
• Coarsening of precipitates.

. . . From Australia and South Africa

The TMS network of international affiliates has expanded to include members from Australia and South Africa. Members of Materials Australia (MAUS) and the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) will now have the opportunity to become affiliate members of TMS for a $25 annual fee. Affiliate membership provides members of MAUS and SAIMM with the following benefits:

• An electronic subscription to the TMS member journal JOM
• Access to the TMS members-only web site, including the searchable TMS membership directory and committee home pages
• The opportunity to participate in TMS technical committees

. . . Take Advantage of Affiliate Membership Programs

TMS members can access the technical journals and resources of partner societies in India and the United Kingdom in electronic format for dramatically reduced rates.

For a $30 annual fee, TMS members can become e-partners of the U.K.-based Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining (IOM³), which provides electronic access to the institute's customized electronic newsletter, My Materials World, and to 16 different materials journals covering such topics as earth science, ceramics, corrosion, iron and steel, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, mining technology, plastics, rubber and composites, macromolecular engineering, powder metallurgy, welding and joining, and surface engineering.

For an annual membership fee of $25, TMS members may choose to become international affiliate members of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), which provides an electronic subscription to IIM's bimonthly journal, Metal News, and access to IIM's membership directory and archive documents of the institute's technical and administrative committees. International affiliate members of IIM will also be able to participate in the institute's three technical divisions: Iron & Steel, Nonferrous, and Metal Sciences.

TMS members can sign up for e-partner or affiliate membership benefits during the annual dues renewal process or by filling out the on-line affiliate application for TMS members that is available through the TMS Affiliate Memberships web site. The benefit period runs in accordance with the TMS membership calendar year: January 1 through December 31.

Speakers Include Paykan Safe—WorleyParsons GCT, Noel Luera—Nucor Texas, and Peter Lee—Inco Technical Services

This course covers the practical and fundamental aspects of process gas handling and fugitive emission control systems for metallurgical plants. It will address energy efficient and environmentally acceptable pollution control systems for EAF and smelting furnaces. Several design case studies will be discussed to present the approach to system upgrade and practical concerns in selecting reliable gas handling systems.

Because of its content, Process and Environmental Engineers, Plant Engineers and Operators, Regulatory Authorities involved with design, selection, and operation of gas handling, and fugitive collection system should attend.

Panel Discussion Topics include Environmental Issues for U.S. EAF Industry and Process and Environmental Improvements for Base Metal Industry.

President's Initiative Welcomed--With Caveats--on the Hill

Members of Congress generally welcomed President Bush's American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) but pledged to restore some cuts proposed in the fiscal year 2007 budget, particularly for manufacturing programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and education programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF). At the first comprehensive hearing on the initiative, House Science Committee Chair Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) called it "a time of celebration . . . For a long time, many of us have been calling for a renewed emphasis on research in the physical sciences—a commitment that would be demonstrated not with rhetorical feints, but with genuine investments. In the Executive Branch, our words have been heard and they have been heeded. Now it's our job in Congress to follow through." He also challenged the science and technology community to actively support the effort. (To learn how TMS members can show support, see the Congressional Visits Days article in this issue.)

At the same time members were applauding the ACI's promised long-term doubling of R&D funding through NSF, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the core laboratory programs of NIST, they expressed dismay over the continuing effort to zero out the Advanced Technology Program and severely cut the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) at NIST. An especially vigorous effort is expected to restore the MEP, which provides technical assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers. At NSF, the budget proposed for the Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program also raised concerns, as it follows the downward pattern of the past several years. While these cuts will be addressed in agency-specific appropriations bills, support continues to build for authorization measures addressing the broader picture. The National Innovation Act, introduced by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) in December, now counts over 20 cosponsors, and the three bills which make up the Preserving America's Competitive Edge act are nearing 60 cosponsors.

. . . At 2006 Congressional Visits Days in March

On March 28–29, professional and student members of TMS will have the chance to influence public policy on science and engineering at the 2006 Congressional Visits Days. At this event, scientists and engineers will meet with U.S. Senators, Representatives, and their staff members in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of supporting R&D in materials science and engineering.

Participants will attend a training and information session on Tuesday, March 28, where they will learn about current federal budget priorities, key issues relating to the materials field, and effective ways to speak with legislators during office visits. On Wednesday, March 29, the students and professionals will form teams to visit key members of Congress and discuss the value of materials science and engineering.

A limited number of $300 travel grants are available to student chapters through the Material Advantage Program, along with funding for up to five registrations for those chapters. The registration deadline is March 1. If your chapter is interested, contact Chris McKelvey at mckelvey@tms.org or (724) 776-9000, ext. 259.

New Division Awards Recognize Outstanding Service and Excellence

For 2007, the TMS Electronic, Magnetic & Photonic Materials Division (EMPMD), Extraction & Processing Division (EPD), and Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division (MPMD) have added five new awards to the TMS Honors & Awards Program. The awards are designed to honor members of the materials science and engineering community for service and excellence in these particular fields. The addition of the new awards brings the total number of TMS division-level awards to 16. Nominations for the 2007 awards, which will be presented at the 2007 TMS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, are due March 31, 2006. The newest awards are:

• EMPMD Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award to honor research excellence in the field
• EMPMD Distinguished Service Award to honor continuous service to the division's activities
• EPD Distinguished Service Award to honor long-term service to industries served by the division
• MPMD Distinguished Scientist/Engineer Award to honor long-lasting contributions with significant industrial applications
• MPMD Distinguished Service Award to honor dedication and commitment to the division

. . . On Technical Content and Utility

Think something is missing from JOM? Let us know. Love everything about the journal? By all means, tell us. JOM, the TMS member journal, has issued a 16-question survey, asking readers for input on the journal's technical coverage, special features, and usefulness. A space for comments at the end gives readers a chance to voice ideas, suggestions, constructive criticisms, and lavish praise. (The latter is particularly encouraged.)

Take the survey on-line through the TMS web site today. Or, if you prefer, a hardcopy of the survey was published in the February issue of JOM. The society takes annual survey responses into account when planning upcoming editorial coverage and features.

ABOUT e-NEWS

TMS e-News is a monthly e-mailed newsletter that provides information on The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society's membership, meetings, publications, and other activities of interest.

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News Editor:
Kelly Roncone

EDITORS' CHOICE

The editors of TMS publications select the must-read papers from the latest editions:

FEBRUARY JOM: "Following in Their Footsteps: Tales from Materials Science and Engineering Families" by Kelly Roncone
Through example and encouragement, many professionals within the materials science and engineering community have inspired the young people closest to them to pursue careers in science and engineering: their children. A look at a few of these families reveals that participation did not begin with a forceful push, but with a subtle nudge toward a career that matched their natural abilities. [READ]

FEBRUARY JOM: "Metal Hydrides for Vehicular Applications: The State of the Art" by Dhanesh Chandra, James J. Reilly, and Raja Chellappa
Recent developments in light metal complex hydrides show that there is a potential for hydrogen storage using these hydrides in fuel cells for on-board vehicular and other applications. The search for new alloys promises to have practical significance with the realization that hydrogen as a fuel holds the key to filling energy needs and solving environmental problems. This review presents the U.S. Department of Energy FreedomCAR goals for hydrogen storage, storage capacities of important hydrides, and current developments in light-metal complex hydrides. [READ]

FEBRUARY JOM: "The Multivariable Model-Based Control of the Non-Alumina Electrolyte Variables in Aluminum Smelting Cells" by Fiona J. Stevens McFadden, Barry J. Welch, and Paul C. Austin
This paper investigates the application of multivariable model-based control to improve the regulatory control of electrolyte temperature, aluminum fluoride concentration, liquidus temperature, superheat, and electrolyte height. Also examined are the appropriateness of different control structures and the possible inclusion of recently developed sensors for alumina concentration and individual cell duct flowrate, temperature, and heat loss. For the smelter in this study, the maximum improvement possible with a multivariable model-based controller is predicted to be 30–40% reduction in standard deviation in electrolyte temperature, aluminum fluoride concentration, liquidus temperature, and superheat, and around half this for electrolyte height. Three control structures were found to be appropriate; all are different than the existing control structure, which was found to be suboptimal. Linear Quadratic Gaussian controllers were designed for each control structure and their predicted performance compared. [READ]

FEBRUARY METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS A & B: "Phase Diagram Calculations in Teaching, Research & Industry" by Y. Austin Chang
Both Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A and B feature this paper, the 2003 Edward DeMille Campbell Memorial Lecture. Significant advancements have been made in phase diagram calculations using the Calphad approach since the late 1980s due primarily to the availability of inexpensive computers and robust software. In this article, Chang first presents the use of computational thermodynamics including phase diagram calculation in teaching, next the use of calculated phase diagrams, particularly for multicomponent systems, for materials research/development, and manufacturing, and last describes some current research in advancing this methodology when the phases involve ordering with decreasing temperature. [READ]

FEBRUARY METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS A: "February Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A" by Various Authors
The February issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A contains 20 papers on transformations, transport phenomena, mechanical behavior, welding and joining, surface treatment, materials processing, composite materials, and light metals. [READ]

FEBRUARY METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS B: "February Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B" by Various Authors
The February issue of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B contains 10 papers on pyrometallurgy, transport phenomena, process control, and materials processing. [READ]

Programs, on-line registration, and more:

SOUTH AFRICAN PYROMETALLURGY 2006
Cradle of Humankind, South Africa
March 5–8, 2006

2006 TMS ANNUAL MEETING
San Antonio, TX
March 12-16, 2006

SENSOR-BASED SORTING 2006
Aachen, Germany
March 28–30, 2006

MCWASP 2006
Opio, France
May 28–June 2, 2006

2006 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS CONF.
University Park, PA
June 28-30, 2006

THERMEC 2006
Vancouver, Canada
July 4–8, 2006

2006 SOHN INT'L SYMPOSIUM
San Diego, CA
Aug. 27-31, 2006

6th EURO. CONF. ON SILICON CARBIDE AND RELATED MTL'S
Abstracts Due: May 14, 2006
Newcastle, UK
Aug. 27-31, 2006

COM 2006: CONFERENCE OF METALLURGISTS
Montréal, Canada
October 1–4, 2006

THIRD INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON IRON CONTROL IN HYDROMETALLURGY
Montréal, Canada
October 1–4, 2006

INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON MAGNESIUM TECHNOLOGY IN THE GLOBAL AGE
Montréal, Canada
October 1–4, 2006

INT'l CONF. ON INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
San Sebastian, Spain
October 4-6, 2006

MS&T '06
Abstracts Due: Mar. 15
Cincinnati, OH
Oct. 15-19, 2006

INT'L CONF. ON ADVANCES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Fatehgarh Sahib, India
Dec. 1-3, 2006

2007 TMS ANNUAL MEETING
Orlando, FL
Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 2007

COPPER 2007
Toronto, Canada
Aug. 25-30, 2007

MS&T '07
Detriot, MI
Sept. 16-19, 2007

2008 TMS ANNUAL MEETING
New Orleans, LA
Mar. 9-13, 2008

REWAS 2008
Cancun, Mexico
Oct. 12-15, 2008

NEWSWIRES