Conference looks at polymers in defense.

Polymers in Defense & Aerospace Applications 2007, sponsored by Rapra Technology, a Smithers Group Company, will be held September 18-19 at the Holiday Inn Airport in Toulouse, France.

Session 1 on composites will include the following presentations: "Recent research activities in high performance polymers and composites for defense applications," Dan Kells, BAE Systems Advanced Technology Center, U.K.; and "Quickstep curing technology: An out-of-autoclave technology for prepregs and dry fiber reinforced laminates," Jens Schlimbach, A. Ogale, D. Brosius and N. Noble, Quickstep GmbH, Germany.

Session 2 on nanocomposites will include the following presentations: "Nylon-12 nanocomposite thin films as protective barriers," Cecilia Stevens, M. Gnatowski and S. Duncan, Polymer Engineering Ltd., Canada; "Thermal conductivity of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/carbon nanofiller blends," Sayata Ghose, K.A. Watson, D.C. Working, J.W. Connell, J.G. Smith, Y. Lin and Y.E Sun, National Institute of Aerospace; "Nanoscopically controlled polymer containing gadolinium atoms for shielding against radiation," Joseph D. Lichtenhan, J.P. Spratt, S. Aghara, P.A. Wheeler and R. Leadon, Hybrid Plastics; "Conducting polymer nanofibers obtained by electrospinning," Lucie Robitaille and A. Laforgue, National Research Council, Canada; and "Influence of space radiation on nano adhesive bonding of high performance polymers," Shantanu Bhowmik, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands.

Session 3 on novel polymer systems will include the following presentations: "Electrically conductive shape memory polymer with anisotropic electro-thermo-mechanical properties," W.M. Huang, N. Liu. S.Y. Phoo and C.S. Chan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; "Development of new, conductive and microwaveable materials involving conductive polymer coatings," Jamshid Avloni, Eeonyx, and A. Henn, Marktek; and "Incorporating functional fillers into silicone elastomer systems," Kyle Rhodes, B. Riegler and S. Bruner, NuSil Technology Europe.

Session 4 on elastomers and rubbers will include the following presentations: "Elastomeric solutions to seal jet oils at high temperature with fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomers," Jean-Luc Matoux, E.W. Thomas and R.W. Schnell, DuPont Performance Elastomers, Switzerland; "Novel nylon/halogenated butyl rubber blends in protection against warfare agents," Marek Gnatowski, J.D. Van Dyke and A. Burczyk, Polymer Engineering Ltd., Canada; and "Development of wider performance range rubber seal materials and the utility of FEA modeling," Robert Keller, Freudenberg-NOK.

Session 5 on other materials will include the following presentations: "New PEEK products and process technology developments for lightweight aerospace components," Didier Pady, John Walling and Alan Wood, Victrex plc, France; "Polymerization, compound and elastomeric modified ETFE in aerospace and defense applications," Phil Spencer, AGC Chemicals Europe, U.K.; and "Lifetime prediction and assessment of metal-polymer laminates," Julie Etheridge, AWE plc, U.K.

Session 6 on polymer processes and applications will include the following presentations: "Sonochemical surface modification for advanced electronic materials," Andrew Cobley and T. Mason, Coventry University, U.K.; "Polymers for exo-atmospheric supersonic vehicles: A tough life," Duncan Broughton, AWE plc, U.K.; "The role of polymeric materials for effective structural damping," John R. House, QinetiQ, U.K.; and "Liquid crystal polymer: The ultimate solution for low-cost RF flexible electronics and antennae," Rushi Vyas, A. Rida, S. Bhattacharya and M.M. Tentzeris, Georgia Institute of Technology.

Further information on this conference is available from Sharon Garrington, tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone]; www.polymerconferences.com.