11th International Conference on Porous Metals and Metallic Foams (MetFoam 2019)

August 20–23, 2019 • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel • Dearborn, Michigan, USA

Technical Program

The purpose of MetFoam conference series is to provide a state-of-the-art review on lightweight porous metals and metallic foams and a forum for discussions and networking opportunities for scientists working in this field. Topics planned for MetFoam 2019 include:

• Fabrication by conventional and novel methods including additive manufacturing
• Characterization
• Properties of compressed and un-compressed foam
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Other Properties
• Design of porous metals, metallic foams, and lattice structures
• Fluid, heat, and mass transfer
• Porous biomaterials
• Nanoporous metals
• Industrial applications of porous metals and metallic foams

A metal foam is a cellular structure consisting of a solid metal with pores making up a large portion of the volume. A defining characteristic of metal foams is their high porosity typically on 5–25% of the volume is the base metal, making these ultralight materials with applications including energy (e.g., catalysis, fuel cells), biomaterials (e.g., bone implants), and transportation (e.g., sound dampening, energy absorption).

Abstract Submissions

The deadline to submit an abstract for an oral presentation has passed. However a limited number of late abstracts may be considered as posters. Please send your 150-word abstract to TMS Programming Staff.

If you have any questions regarding abstract submission, send an e-mail to TMS Programming Staff.

View the websites from past conferences for examples of technical topics presented as a part of the MetFoam program:

• MetFoam 2017
• MetFoam 2015

Plenary Speakers

Kamel Hooman
Associate Professor, The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia

Presenting: "Metal Foam Research Direction: Simplicity versus Accuracy"

View Abstract

Abstract
This presentation summarizes our recent work on metal foams mainly as heat exchangers in different industrial applications. Challenges that we face along the commercialization path will be touched on while some peculiar behaviors observed in different experiments, specific to metal foams, will be discussed. Numerical, experimental and theoretical techniques that we have developed or are under development will be presented along with approaches to lower the cost of the foams for application in lighting industry, fuel cells, condensers, waste heat recovery, heat pipes and thermal storage systems.

About the Speaker

Haydn N.G. Wadley
University Professor; Edgar Starke, Jr Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA, USA

Presenting: "Multifunctional Nano to Macro Metallic Lattice Materials and Structures"

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Abstract
Numerous applications are emerging for metallic cellular materials made from alloys whose compositions and microstructures have been tailored to provide compelling combinations of material properties. Structures that are required to support high bending loads are often optimized by sandwich panels. These are best made from high specific strength metals using open cell lattices with strut widths in the millimeter range; other applications such as multifunctional heat plate structures made from high temperature metals with high thermal conductivity also exploit open cell topologies, but with strut widths in the micrometer range to promote liquid permeation and maximize working fluid evaporation rates. Closed cell systems offer the opportunity to reach the theoretical limits of stiffness both, for anisotropic and isotropic systems, and are therefore best fabricated from high specific stiffness metals. These closed cell systems also offer thermal insulation, acoustic damping and impulsive load mitigation opportunities; expanding the types of metal that maximize their performance. As lattice strut or web thicknesses decrease into the nanometer regime, new functionalities may emerge including the opportunity to manipulate phonon transport, control chemical reaction rates, and, perhaps exploit defect starvation concepts to increase lattice strength. However, none of these applications can be realized without advances in scalable processes for the affordable manufacture of metallic cellular materials that retain critical properties of the solid metal from which they are made. This presentation will use emerging applications, such as those above, to motivate an assessment of 3D metal additive, new subtractive and metal forming methods for making millimeter to micrometer scale open and closed cell lattices. Preliminary results for a space-holding concept for making nickel nanolattices will also be presented and the challenges of its scale-up discussed.

About the Speaker

Christopher B. Williams
Professor, John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA, USA

Presenting: "Additive Manufacturing of Porous Metallic Structures with Designed Mesostructure"

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Abstract
Taking inspiration from nature, metallic foam processing technologies have afforded the opportunity to fabricate lightweight, porous structures featuring either periodic or stochastic cellular topologies. Additive manufacturing technologies (AM, also referred to as 3D Printing) provide another processing route for metal foams; their layer-wise fabrication approach affords the opportunity to realize metallic structures with designed mesostructure, i.e., where the mesoscale topology is tailored to satisfy multiple design objectives. In this talk, Dr. Williams will present opportunities for leveraging AM to facilitate production of porous metal structures. His talk will highlight both direct printing routes (e.g., binder jetting of porous metal structures) and indirect printing routes, wherein AM is used to print a pattern/mold for traditional processes (e.g.., casting of lightweight metallic truss structures). The opportunities and applications for printing ultra-lightweight structures with hierarchical porosity for graded density and tailored absorption properties will also be discussed.

About the Speaker

Ulrike Wegst
Associate Professor of Engineering, Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH, USA

Presenting: "Porous Metals by Freeze Casting: Challenges and Opportunities"

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Abstract
In contrast to freeze-cast ceramics and polymers, few systematic studies on freeze-cast metals have been reported, to date. Reviewed in this presentation will be challenges and opportunities associated with the freeze casting process and its application to metals, also in comparison to polymers and ceramics. Described will be the different mechanisms that drive self-assembly and structure formation during the processing of water-based solutions and slurries by directional solidification, and how the resulting scaffold architecture and mechanical properties are affected, also by further processing steps such as sintering and infiltration with a second phase. Highlighted will be through case studies on the freeze casting of SS316L and Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds, how sedimentation in the slurry during freezing as well as volume shrinkage during burnout and sintering affect both their microstructure and mechanical performance.

About the Speaker

Keynote Speakers

Kiju Kang, Chonnam National University
Manas Mukherjee, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Peter Quadbeck, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials IFAM
Afsaneh Rabiei, North Carolina State University

Invited Speakers

Norbert Babcsán, Innobay Hungary Ltd.
Karen Chen-Wiegart, Stony Brook University
Dinc Erdeniz, Marquette University
Francisco Garcia-Moreno, Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin Für Matl Und Energie
Thomas Hipke, Fraunhofer-IWU
Louis-Philippe Lefebvre, National Research Council Canada
Simone Mancin, University of Padova
Ashley Paz y Puente, University of Cincinnati
Frédéric Topin, Aix-Marseille University-CNRS, Laboratory IUSTI
Lorenzo Valdevit, University of California, Irvine
Donghui Yang, Hohai University

International Scientific Advisory Board

For More Information

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