The international conference hosted by DUT at the University’s Ritson Campus, which was attended by over 100 delegates from 10 different countries, ended successfully yesterday (Wednesday, December, 4, 2013).

Talk on manufacturing processes, computer aided manufacturing, novel materials optimisation, mechanics of composite and sandwich structures and micromechanics were some of the topics that were discussed at the First International Conference on Composites, Biocomposites and Nanocomposites (ICCBN) conference which was held over three days (02 December – 04 December 2013).

During the conference, research papers and posters presentations were well received by the delegates, with questions raised. The conference was closed, with two plenary presentations delivered by Dr Rajesh Anandjiwala, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Chief Researcher. Dr Anandjiwala’s paper was titled Role of Natural Fibrea in Bio-composite Applications.

The second plenary presentation was delivered by Professor John Dorgan, Colorado School of Mines, United States of America. Prof Dorgan’s paper was on Supramolelecular EcoBioNanocomposites Incorporation Stereocomplexation.

“It was a successful conference. Quality research papers were presented over three days,” said Prof Mervyn Kanny, Head of the Composite Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at DUT. The conference was organised by Prof Kanny.

He added that he hoped that the number of industry representatives would be increased in next year’s conference.

“We had best research papers, best poster presentations but I feel that the number of (attending) industry partners must be increased next year because the work we are doing directly benefits them,” he said.

– Thabo Maile

Pictured: Delegates at the First International Conference on Composites, Biocomposite and Nanocomposites which ended yesterday. Also pictured are DUT students who assisted in organising the conference.