ORG – Spring Technical Meeting

Agenda:

5:00 – Registration, Bar Opens, Buffet Dinner Opens
5:30 – Technical Presentations
7:00 – Open Networking

CHANGE IN VENUE! This event will be held at Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St., Akron.

Tickets:

Advanced Reservations until Apr 27:  $35 each   (Without prior reservation:  $40 each, limited number).  Reduced Fee for Students: $5!
Online ticketing (preferred) will be available on this web page about one month before the event. We highly encourage you to pay in advance for this meeting, due to the setup, which is one large room.
“Pay at the Door” will only be available until 5:30 pm because the Technical Presentations start at that time.
Email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.

Technical Presentations:

“Flexoelectricity in Polyelectrolyte Elastomers as Sensors and Energy Harvesters”
Mehdi Sahami, PhD student and Scholarship Winner, The University of Akron

This work focuses on a class of elastomeric materials capable of generating electrical signals under non-uniform mechanical deformation. In other words, these materials can convert mechanical deformation into electrical output, making them promising candidates for sensing and energy harvesting applications.

“From Lab to Road: Testing Rubber for Real-World Performance”
Paul Merda, Education Coordinator/Technical Advisor, ARDL

This presentation explores how laboratory testing methods are used to evaluate and predict the real-world performance of rubber components in applications such as windshield wipers, tires, and engine mounts.

PANEL DISCUSSION: “From Passion to Profession: Paths, Pivots, and Possibilities”
Moderator: Fred Carter, Strategic-Partner, Schooley Mitchell
Panelists: Will Mars, Endurica; Jason Poulton, Semi-Retired; Eric Britton, Materials Engineer, Bridgestone Americas

The goal of the panel will be to highlight some industry professionals with Engineering or PhD backgrounds and how they have progressed to their current position in the industry. We’ll aim to highlight some struggles, victories, and tips/lessons that might be helpful for the students, but also for young professionals.