We don't always stop to think about which materials are around us. And yet a great many materials have been extensively considered. The theme of this year's Materials trade fair in Veldhoven is: The role of materials in the success of a product.
Materials are the building blocks of everything around us. It seems so obvious, but where are our cars, machines and smartphones without a good, strong foundation? We almost forget how special materials are and the challenges involved in the selection, creation, design and production process.
The sixth edition of Materials, trade fair and congress, on 30 and 31 May in Veldhoven, aims to inspire visitors about solutions for corrosion, wear, bonding, lightweight, fatigue and reuse, among others. Special focus this year is on product design, circular economy and smart materials. During Materials, visitors will discover what role materials play in the success of their product. He will gain insights into the choice of materials and related techniques for the (re)development of your product(s). Again this year, Materials presents an all-in concept based on the four building blocks:
- (new) Materials
- Material analysis
- Joining techniques
- Surface techniques.
Each with its own zone on the exhibition floor and an appealing conference programme.
Lecture track 'Smart Materials
The conference programme offers over 40 lectures, divided over the four building blocks. On 31 May, the special lecture track 'Smart Materials' will take place in cooperation with PI Benelux, ASML and TUD/Holst Centre. During the four lectures in this track, speakers will share the latest research and application trends of smart materials. There will also be a Smart Materials pavilion at Materials where some examples will be exhibited.
Parallel to the lecture programme, special attention is paid to the theme of circular economy. On 31 May, for instance, Holland Chemistry is hosting a free workshop including four plenary sessions focusing on the recycling and reuse of plastics and composites. This workshop is co-organised by NRK and TI COAST.
Materials doctors
Materials 2018 is the place to find immediate solutions to materials challenges. People can present their challenge to one of the Material Doctors, to be found on the exhibition floor both days. These Material Doctors will help make the right diagnosis and provide free treatment advice.
Matchmaking
During Materials 2018, Mikrocentrum is organising a B2B Matchmaking in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and the Enterprise Europe Network. This Meet & Match brings together materials specialists, product developers, product designers, engineers, researchers, SMEs, OEMs, suppliers and intermediaries, facilitating the establishment of new contacts in a low-threshold way. Participants choose in advance which people they want to meet during the 30-minute sessions. For more information, click here.
Product design in the spotlights
The sixth edition puts (product) design in the spotlights. This is underlined by the cooperation with BNO (Association of Dutch Designers). Topics that Materials puts in the spotlight are: design, choice of materials, software, reuse, circular economy and biomimicry. In doing so, Materials demonstrates the importance of thinking about material choice and associated techniques such as surface treatments and connections early in the design process.
With 75 exhibitors on the exhibition floor covering the broad materials field and over 40 lectures in the conference programme, Materials provides new insights into the entire materials science spectrum. Attendance is free of charge.
Photo: Mikrocentrum/Materials 2017.
