Introduction

A National Conference on Developments in Composite Materials and Processes: DCMP-2011 was organized by the department of mechanical engineering from April7-9, 2011. The objective of the Conference was to facilitate useful and targeted discussions on the latest trends in the entire spectrum of composite materials and their applications in different industries. Deliberations at the Conference will certainly be useful for researchers embarking upon newer dimensions of the design and development of various types of composites and to academicians, scientists, and practicing engineers seeking to expand their horizon of knowledge in this field.

Topics of discussion included polymer matrix composites, metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, nano composites, bio-composites, eco-composites, wood-based composites, processing of composites, composite material testing and evaluation, fracture and damage mechanics, multi-scale modeling, repairability of composites, recycling of composites, and durability of composites.

The Report

Day 1:

The Chief Guest for the Inaugural function was Dr. S Seetharamu, Additional Director, CPRI, Bangalore. Invited Talks were given by Dr. C S Ramesh, Professor and Director, R&D, and by Dr. Ramesh S Sharma, Associate Professor, Dept. of Mech. Engg., both from PESIT, Bangalore. They spoke on The Effect of Extrusion Ration on Wear Behaviour of Hot Extruded Al6061-SiCp (Ni-P coated) and on An Overview of Sandwich Constructions for Light Wright Applications respectively. The day also had two technical sessions that had several presentations from delegates of various institutions from the city.

Day 2:

The day started with an Invited Talk from Dr. Suresha B, Professor, Dept. of Mech. Engg., NIE, Mysore; he spoke on Micro and Nano Filler Reinforced Polymer Nano Composites: Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour, followed by two talks by Dr. H N Narasimhamurthy, Professor and Dean, Dept. of Mech. Engg., R V College of Engineering, and Dr. K L Parashiva Murthy, Professor and Head, Dept. of Mech. Engg., Government College of Engineering, Chamrajanagara. They spoke on Nanoclay/CNT Polymer Nano Composites - Applications and Challenges and In Situ Composite Materials respectively. There were two technical sessions and delegates from the state and other states presented their papers.

Day3:

The Chief Guest for the Valedictory function was Dr. P Martin P Jebaraj, Dean, VTU, Belgaum, and Principal, Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Bangalore. The day started with an Invited Talk from Dr. Joel Hemanth, Dean and Head, Dept. of Mech. Engg., Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Bangalore; he spoke on Research Work Procedure. Later, we had an Invited Talk from Mr. R K Kumar, Engineering Officer, Central Power Research Institute, who spoke on Technological Advances in High Temperature Composite Conductors for Overhead Transmission Line Applications. This was followed by a technical session of presentations.

In all, 62 research papers were received for the Conference; 48 papers were selected for presentation of which 36 delegates finally presented their papers. Papers submitted for the Conference covered multiple areas of composite and their processing including study and evaluation of mechanical properties, tribological properties, flexural properties, fabrication methods, and process-property-performance relationships.

Feedback

The Conference was highly successful with very good feedback from all the delegates, invited speakers, and the Chief Guests. It was greatly appreciated for having chosen a specific area such as composites and their processing. The Proceedings was especially admired for its presentation and packaging. The hospitality extended by the institution and the quality of food served on all the 3 days of the Conference was also appreciated very well.

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