Nanotechnologies will take center stage when SAMPE kicks off its 26th annual International Conference and Forums, April 5, at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versaille, in Paris, France. Co-located with the JEC Composites Show, SAMPE's 2005 Conference, entitled "Nanotechnology assists leadership and success of the Composite Technology," features three days of technical sessions, totaling 93 papers and a workshop on automated tape laying (see "SAMPE Europe 2005 at a Glance," at right).

Nanotechnologies will be the topic of two full Sessions at the conference, and an entire Session also will be devoted to the TANGO (Technology Application to the Near-term Business Goals and Objectives of the Aerospace Industry) project, with updates on efforts to design practical all-composite wing and fuselage structures (Thursday, April 7).

The Aerospace Forum, a joint SAMPE/JEC presentation on Wednesday, April 6, explores the theme, "How composites are contributing to cost reduction." Moderated by a SAMPE representative, the Forum will feature six presentations. Notable among the presenters will be Stephen Tsai, professor emeritus of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Dept. at Stanford University, who will discuss the subject "Thin Ply Technology: A New Opportunity For Composites." Jérôme Bertrand and Bruno Desmars, representing EADS Space Transportation (France), will unveil and discuss "Multidirectional/RTM/03S Technology for Heavy Loaded Structures." Daniel Claret Viros, from Airbus Espana SL (Spain) will showcase "The Airbus A380 HTP: The World's Largest Airborne Composite Tanker," and VISTAGY Inc.'s Olivier Guillermin (Waltham, Mass.) will present a paper entitled "The Next Level in Composite Engineering Software - Large Composite Aerostructures." A team from Airbus Nantes (France) will spotlight "The Latest Advances in Machine Milling and Drilling of Composite Materials for the Aeronautical Sector." Joerg Collrep of Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH (Germany) will wrap up the Forum with "NDT on Composite Parts with a Fully Industrialized Shearography Technology."

Of special interest to HPC readers, JEC's Marine Forum will include a presentation by Baard Rosvik of Devold AMT (Langevaag, Norway), who will outline ways in which carbon fiber composites are making the transition from an esoteric material used in high-profile (and high-priced) military vessels and competitive sailing yachts and powerboats to more broad-based applications, such as commercial ferries.

JEC expects more than 800 exhibitors on its show floor this year. An early compilation of who will be there and where you can find them begins on p. 30. Visit the High-Performance Composites staff at stand #Q30.

For more information about the SAMPE Europe Conference, or to register, visit the SAMPE Europe Web site: www.sampe-europe.org. For JEC Composites Show information or registration, contact JEC, +33 158 3615 18; E-mail: visitors@jeccomposites.com; show programs may be downloaded from the JEC Show Web site: www.jecshow.com.

SAMPE Europe 2005 at a glance

Tuesday, April 5

Registration 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

JEC Exhibition 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremony 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Klaus Drechsler, SAMPE Europe President

Keynote Speaker: Tia Benson Tolle

Session 1 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Nano Technology I - Textile Preforming IOffshore Applications

Lunch 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Session 2 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Design I - Liquid Molding I - Joining

Coffee Break 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Session 3 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Components - New Materials I - Testing

Wednesday, April 6

Registration 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

JEC Exhibition 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Session 4 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Nanotechnology II - Automotive I Ballistic Protection

AEROSPACE FORUM 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

(jointly sponsored with JEC)

Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Session 5 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Textile Preforming II - Processing I Land Transportation

Lunch 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Session 6 2:00 p.m. to 3;30 p.m.

Thermoplastics I - Curing - Natural Fibers

Coffee Break 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Session 7 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Aerospace I - Liquid Molding II - New Materials II

SAMPE Europe Dinner 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 7

Registration 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

JEC Exhibition 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Session 8 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Tango - Sandwich I - Thermoplastics II

Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Session 9 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Aerospace II - Sandwich II - Matrix Features

Lunch 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Session 10 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Processing II - Workshop: Automated Tape Laying

Nanotechnology III

Closing Ceremony 3:30 p.m.