ACESS-Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies

ADSPE - Chapter Officer Installation Dinner
2024-05-28 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Joint ADSPE/CRSPE/MVSPE Chapter Officer Installation Dinner at La Pizzeria
Speaker:Dennis Irwin, current President, Ohio Society of Professional Engieers (OSPE).

ORG - Early Summer Golf Outing
2024-06-19 | Brookledge Golf Club, 1621 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221, United States
Ohio Rubber Group
Shotgun Start – 8:00 am
4 Golfer Scramble
Cost: $140 per person including golf with cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, door prize, raffle ticket, skill awards and prizes.
Mulligan cards are available for an additional $5 each.
Registration Form deadline: May 29, 2024.
Buy tickets at the link below or at https://www.ohiorubbergroup.org/event/early-summer-golf-outing-2024/
For questions contact Denise Kotz: denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting ; 330-697-6871.

Challenge Island STEAM Events
2024-06-24
The following STEAM camps are offered on June 24, 2024 and others are offered though the spring and summer.

STEAM-Warts Camp of Wizards, Spells at Shaw JCC, Akron, OH
CI Road Trip USA© at Western Reserve Academy, Husdon, OH
Slimetopia® 3: Slime Chefs on Deck™ at Western Reserve Academy, Husdon, OH

Select and register for Challenge Island camps at https://login.challenge-island.com/events.php?pid=5&location=115

MSA - X94: STEM Roundtable: Building Skills for the Future
2024-07-30 08:30 - 10:00 | Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44114, United States
X94: STEM Roundtable: Building Skills for the Future
Tuesday, July 30 | 8:30 am – 10:00 am | Room 26B
The Microscopy and Microanalysis (M&M) annual conference this year will take in Cleveland at the Huntington Convention Center (https://mm2024.eventscribe.net/index.asp). The M&M conference is sponsored by the Microscopy Society of America, of which the Microscopy Society of Northeast Ohio (MSNO) is our local chapter. The MSA Education Outreach Committee organizing the X90-X94 Symposium focused on enhancing STEM education. Link: https://mmconference.microscopy.org/microscopy-outreach

Organizers:
Lori Harvey, Hitachi High Technologies America
Summer Hamilton, Hitachi High Technologies America
Troy Hall, Hitachi High Technologies America
We will explore how to integrate varied resources to have broader, sustainable impacts in STEM education, including bridging K-12 outreach with undergraduate and graduate education, and emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion which will lead to a stronger workforce for everyone. In response to education changes in 2020 & 2021, The HTA Inspire STEM Education Outreach Program has put forth a plan to provide an opportunity to make quality in-person and virtual experiences easily accessible to teachers as they create the classrooms of tomorrow now. The program is continuing its work with local, national, and international partners to provide flexible access to easy-to-use content and technology that can be used in the following learning scenarios.
For Free Registration or for more information on this X94: STEM Roundtable, contact silverstein.joshua.nano@gmail.com.

ORG - Late Sumer Golf Outing
2024-08-26 08:00 - 19:30 | Silver Lake Country Club, 1325 Graham Rd, Stow, OH, 44224, United States
Ohio Rubber Group – Late Summer Golf Outing
Event Information
Call for Sponsors
Registration Form
There will be two shotgun starts: AM group – 8:00 AM (Play Your Own Ball) and PM group – 1:30 PM (Scramble)
Any morning player will have the opportunity to play an additional round in the afternoon for an additional $75.
Entry Fee of $165 includes golf, lunch and dinner.
Entry form must be received with payment by August 19, 2024.
Schedule of Activities:
7:00 AM Bag Drop – Morning Shotgun Registration Opens
7:15 AM Driving Range Opens
8:00 AM MORNING SHOTGUN
9:30 AM Bag Drop – Afternoon Shotgun
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM AFTERNOON SHOTGUN
6:00 PM Cocktails! (Cash Bar)
7:00 PM Dinner
8:00 PM Prize Awards

ACS - Joint Meeting of Akron and Cleveland Sections
2024-09-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Baker Electric Buildong, 7100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44103, United States
Eric Rivet
Western Reserve Historical Society Curator of Collections and Exhibits

“Baker Electric Motor Car”
Location
Baker Electric Building, 7100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 441034410344103
Schedule
5:30 pm Networking
6:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Speaker Presentation
Registration: RSVP to https://www.acscleveland.org/event/2024-akron-cleveland-acs-joint-meeting/ by Sept 3.
Menu: Chicken marsala and Stuffed Shells, Red-skinned potatoes, Green beans with French-fried onions, Salad and rolls, Desert of associated pastries, Iced tea, coffee, water, and soda.
The Baker Electric Motor Car: In 1909, the Baker Electric was the best selling electric vehicle in the world. The car was lighter than other electric cars and used twelve lead acid batteries designed by Thomas Edison who famously drove a Baker. In New York City, there were 15,000 on the streets and charging stations scattered throughout the area. Cleveland architect Frank B Meade designed the Baker Electric Building for Walter C Baker as his car showroom in 1910. Rohrheimer-Brooks, Cleveland’s top interior design studio, designed and decorated the showrooms and associated spaces. Faced with competition from gasoline-powered automobiles production ceased in 1919. The building was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 2007 and was redeveloped into a LEED Silver certified tech incubator providing 52,000 square feet of office and wet/dry laboratory space for emerging local companies. In 2010, the City of Cleveland installed the city’s first public electric vehicle recharging station in front of Baker Electric.
Biography: Eric Rivet has been a Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the WRHS since 2015. His responsibilities include planning and installing exhibitions that highlight the rich and diverse history of the region. Previously, he was a Curator at The National WWIl Museum in New Orleans and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Louisiana State University.

ORG - Fall Technical Meeting
2024-09-24 17:00 - 20:00 | Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg, 8971 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, OH, 44078, United States
Ohio Rubber Group Fall Technical Meeting
Agenda:
4:00 – Dinner Ticket / Membership Sales
4:30 – Technical Presentations
6:00 – Social Hour
7:00 – Dinner
Buy tickets at link below. Advanced Reservations: $35 each ***Without prior reservation: $40 each (limited number available)
For more information contact Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR by mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.

SPE - ACE Laboratories Tour
2024-09-25 17:00 - 20:00 | ACE Laboratories, 6800 N Chestnut St., Suite C, Ravenna, OH, 44266, United States
Gathering 5:00 PM
Tour groups of 5-7
Catered Dinner following, $15.
Reserve by Sept 20.

ACS - Joint Akron, Cleveland and NEO Sections Meeting
2024-10-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Spirits of Willoughby, 3872 Erie St., Willoughby, Ohio, 44094, United States
Cleveland Poison Symposia
Lead has been known to be poisonous for more than 2000 years. It is rarely used as an intentional poison, rather lead poisoning is inadvertent, the result of mistakes.
Mark Jones, Ph.D., Creative Director at MJPhD: “Lead: The Accidental Poison”
Akbar Tyler, CEO, Cleveland Analytical LLC: “Lead Paint in Cleveland”
Michael Fricke, Ph.D., Councilor, Akron ACS, “The Cleveland Mousetrap”
No charge and open to the public. Please support Spirits and their staff. Contact Mike Fricke at mfricke.phd@gmail.com to pre-order T-shirts. This event is presented with support from Lake Erie College and from an ACS LS-MEET Grant 2024.

ACESS Board Meeting
2024-10-16 17:30 - 20:30 | ACS Rubber Division office, 306 N. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Akron, OH, 44333, United States

SPE - Additive Manufacturing: Printing the Plan for the Future
2024-10-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Corporate College Conference Center, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, 44128, United States
Thursday, October 17, 2024
8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Corporate College Conference Center (map)

PROGRAM SCOPE: The Cleveland Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) invites you to attend a 1-day technical conference & exhibition showcasing innovative developments in materials, processing and equipment for the additive manufacturing industry.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This conference is specifically designed to inform, update and educate plastic processors about implementing new additive manufacturing technologies. Learn how these technologies can help improve performance and productivity, while reducing cost.
PRESENTATIONS: Hear technical presentations on the newest advances in additive manufacturing related to: design, materials development, processing equipment and enabling technologies, new applications and more.
EXHIBITS: See exhibits from engineering plastic suppliers, compounders, molders, design and engineering firms and machinery suppliers. Experts will show you how to apply the latest technologies to your next project or program.
Keynote Speaker: Eve Vitale – SPE Foundation Chief Executive
Conference includes a full day of technical presentations, plenary and keynote presentations on business trends; breakfast, lunch and breaks; exhibits of advanced technologies and an evening networking reception.
Please submit your reservation by October 12 at this link.

ACS - Akron Section Award - Afternoon Lecture
2024-11-12 15:00 - 17:00 | MGH 111, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, United States
James M. Egan, Assistant Professor of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
The University of Akron
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Afternoon Lecture: 3:00 PM, Mary Gladwin Hall 111, University of Akron
Abstract: The catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into polymers offers a sustainable, low-cost, and low-emission approach for developing high-performance materials without competing for land-use or food resources. This talk will present the catalytic coupling of butadiene with CO2 as a paradigm for accessing a diverse range of monomers which exhibit divergent reactivity. By controlling the chemical pathways, polymers with a range of thermomechanical, degradability, and chemical recyclability have been discovered. Specifically, this talk will present our mechanistic studies into the tandem conjugate and ring-opening polymerization of unsaturated lactones from butadiene/CO2. These products have found use in cleavable thermosets for recyclable carbon fiber composites and as biodegradable elastomers.
Bio: James Eagan is an assistant professor at the University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He holds a PhD in chemistry from Columbia University and is the recipient of the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, and Akron’s 30 for the Future award.
This afternoon lecture is free and open to the public. No reservation is required. Note that the evening lecture and dinner are on the next day (Nov 13) and are listed separately on this website.

ACS - Akron Section Award - Evening Lecture
2024-11-13 17:30 - 21:00 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
James M. Egan, Assistant Professor of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
The University of Akron
5:30 PM Networking
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Akron Section Award and Evening Lecture
Abstract: This lecture series will explore how to rethink carbon dioxide as a feedstock for producing chemicals and polymers. This paradigm is broadly of interest not only because of the sustainability, but also due to the low-cost and increased function. When compared to bio-based materials CO2 utilization avoids fresh-water consumption, land-use change, and food competition which makes it more secure for decades to come. Both talks will explore these concepts at varying levels of expertise and what the implications are for near-term applications and commercial development.
Bio: James Eagan is an assistant professor at the University of Akron School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He holds a PhD in chemistry from Columbia University and is the recipient of the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, and Akron’s 30 for the Future award.
The lecture is open to the public. Buy ticket for the dinner at the links below: $30 for members and the pubic; $10 for students.

ACESS Board Meeting
2024-11-20 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-01-15 17:30 - 19:30 | Rubber Division, 306 N Cleveland Massillon Rd, Akron, 44333, United States

SPE - Radici Plastics USA Plant Tour
2024-11-21 17:00 - 20:00 | Radici Plastics USA, Inc, 960 Seville Rd #8316, Wadsworth, OH, 44281, United States
Thursday, November 21, 2024
5:00 PM 8:00 PM
Radici Plastics USA, Inc.
Radici Plastics USA in Wadsworth, Ohio has 8 compounding production lines, a pilot line, QC Lab, and an R&D Lab. Our most common grades are PA6 and PA66, used in a wide range of applications. We have an A2LA lab, ISO 17025, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 certifications. In house testing abilities include tensile, impact, viscosity, melt flow rate, rheology, DSC, FTIR, CIE color, and many more.
Please join us for a tour of our facility from 5pm-8pm. We will offer 3 groups a chance to see production lines running, QC laboratory testing, and a brief discussion of our company. There will be pizza and snacks provided – cost is $15 per person.

ACS - ACESS Joint Societies Meeting
2025-01-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Space Tribology: A Primer
Dr. Christopher DellaCorte, Timken Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Director, Center for Engineered Surfaces and Lubrication Engineering, The University of Akron
VENUE: MISSING FALLS BREWERY, 540 S. Main St, Akron, Ohio in the Event Room
(Parking available in front of building, easy direct access to event room)
5:45 pm. Social- Networking time
6:30 pm. Dinner
7:15 pm. Speaker Presentation
Buffet, Cash Bar: Cost: $25 Employed Members of ACESS Societies and Guests; $10 Students, Retirees, or Unemployed. But tickets online at the links below.
ABSTRACT: Tribology is the study of contacting surfaces, friction, and wear. Tribological phenomena are part of our daily lives on earth and can often pose significant engineering challenges. In space, such challenges are amplified by the unusual conditions of vacuum, zero-gravity, and extreme temperatures. Planned future habitations on the moon and Mars will undoubtedly create additional tribological problems and opportunities for new engineering solutions.
In this lecture, basic tribological concepts are introduced alongside the unique characteristics of the space environment. Several examples of space tribology problems encountered on the International Space Station and their solutions are presented that illustrate the importance of good mechanical engineering and sound tribological practices essential to successfully living off-planet.
BIO: Dr. Christopher DellaCorte is a full, tenured professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron, in Akron Ohio. He is the newly appointed Director of the University of Akron’s Engineering Tribology Laboratory (AETL). Prior to joining academia in 2022, he concluded a long career in federal service as NASA’s Senior Technologist for Tribology and Rotating Machinery. He is a highly visible and widely recognized leader in the field of tribology, mechanical components and aerospace technology. His academic background includes degrees in Fluid and Thermal Sciences, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a deep emphasis in Materials Engineering. His career experience includes research on longstanding extreme tribology challenge areas such as the high temperatures, high speeds and high loads often encountered in spacecraft and aircraft.
He has published extensively in journals, government technical reports, book chapters and conference papers. His innovative research has resulted in eleven patents related to tribological coatings, high performance bearing alloys, materials processing, and mechanical components. He has a strong track record in forensic failure analysis of mechanical systems and has been frequently called upon to solve important and vexing NASA and industrial problems. He is now developing a vibrant research program within academia as a tool for student training.
Dr. DellaCorte’s research has been awarded major recognition by industry (R&D 100 awards), government and prominent professional societies. His work on coatings technology was recognized as NASA’s Government and Commercial Invention of the Year for 2018 and his pioneering work on NiTi alloys received the 2019 ASM Engineering Materials Achievement Award. He has helped solve major bearing and other mechanical system problems on the International Space Station (ISS) and for NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS). His forensic work has been recognized by NASA with many awards including the prestigious Silver Snoopy bestowed by the astronaut corps.
Dr. DellaCorte is deeply engaged with professional technical societies. He is a fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). He was the founding Editor of STLE’s highly regarded Tribology & Lubrication Technology (TLT) magazine and has served as the Editor-In-Chief of STLE’s peer reviewed journal Tribology Transactions since 2016.

ORG - Winter Technical Meeting
2025-01-28 16:00 - 21:00 | Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg, 8971 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg, OH, 44078, United States
Agenda:
4:00 – Dinner Ticket / Membership Sales
4:30 – Technical Presentations
6:00 – Social Hour
7:00 – Dinner
Advanced Reservations: $35 each ***Without prior reservation: $40 each (limited number available).

Pay in Advance for this meeting using the links below! (This is the preferred method of payment.) Please note that although we are using PayPal to make the transaction, you do not need to have a PayPal account. Simply just enter your Credit Card information.
Alternatively, email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting or by mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236. Winter Technical Meeting Reservation Form

Technical Presentations:

“Chloramine Devulcanization: Setting New Standards in Carbon Black and Rubber Recovery from End of Life Tires.” Dr. Patrick Kroeger, CTO, Arduro Sustainable Rubber
Arduro’s patented technology uses a unique two-stage process to devulcanize, separate, and recover raw materials from end of life rubber products. Through this process Arduro is able to produce both recovered carbon black and polymer from waste rubber products.
“LG Chem Americas New Technical Center, Tire Polymer Innovations, and Sustainability Strategy.” Paul Smith, Technical Service Engineer, LG Chem Americas
This presentation will highlight the capabilities of LG Chem Americas new technical center in Ravenna, Ohio. The company’s latest tire polymer innovations and sustainability strategy will also be touched on.
“Introduction to Understanding & Utilizing Analytical Testing.” Eric Britton, Technical Sales Manager, ACE Laboratories
This presentation is a basic overview of several thermal and analytical testing methods for polymers, and includes practical examples of their use in problem solving.

Goodyear Stem Career Days - Call for participation and financial support from companies and organizations
2025-02-08
High School: Saturday, February 8, 2025, 8:00AM – 12:00PM at The University of Akron, Akron OH
Middle School: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8:00AM – 2:30PM at Ohio Firestone CLC, Akron OH
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is excited to announce its 26th annual STEM Career Day! This is the company’s flagship community outreach program that has grown with great success over the years. This event is designed to be engaging, hands-on, and most of all, a fun way for students to learn about STEM.
We welcome you to consider participating in Goodyear STEM Career Day as a way to educate and excite students about STEM. There are multiple ways for your company/organization to be involved, from participation in the information fair, volunteering to have an interactive activity, or by providing financial sponsorship. Those who have participated in previous events have found the experience to be very rewarding and mutually beneficial. We do hope you will consider participating in 2025.
About Goodyear’s STEM Career Day

Mission: To inform and encourage young people to pursue opportunities, both educationally and professionally, that exist in various science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.
Student groups compete in a Rube Goldberg® Challenge to win Goodyear-funded grant money and prizes. High school students also can apply to win both Goodyear and university-funded scholarship money.
In 2024:
o Almost 500 students from more than 80 schools attended
o The event provided students $31,000 in grants and scholarships
o 118 Goodyear volunteers participated in the event
o 22 companies and organizations participated in the event, showcasing STEM disciplines in practice

What’s in it for your company/organization?

These students are your company’s and Ohio’s future workforce. It’s a great recruiting tool!
This event is a great opportunity to showcase what your company has to offer students as they pursue their dream job.
It is a chance to give back to the community in which we work!
This event is FREE for students to attend and for your company/organization to participate in!

How can I get involved?
There are multiple ways in which you can participate in the Goodyear STEM Career Day. We welcome you to participate in whatever way interests your company.

Information Fair (approx. 8AM–9AM @ Middle School event, 8AM-12PM @ High School event)
o Provide an opportunity for the students to tour table displays of STEM companies, organizations, and universities.
o Table displays only, handouts/giveaways are encouraged, no PowerPoint presentations. Please avoid giveaways that make noise that may be distracting during the day, and food due to food allergies.
Interactive Activities (approx. 9AM – 2:30PM @ Middle School event only)
o Four to six 30-minute sessions that bring STEM disciplines to life for students through simple demos, interactive activities, or other creative means such as skits, game shows, etc.
o These interactive activities should be fun and meaningful to capture students’ attention, increase their knowledge of basic STEM principles, and attract them to STEM fields.
o Include a brief summary of your company/organization, its products, and its impact on society.

What are the sponsorship opportunities?

Blue Sponsorship: $500. A sponsorship level of $500 supports the participation of 15 students to the STEM Career Day event.
Gold Sponsorship: $750. A sponsorship level of $750 supports the participation of 25 students to the STEM Career Day event. Will allow for your company or organization’s logo to be displayed on the event website, which is used for all student and organization registration.
Wingfoot Sponsorship: $1050. A sponsorship level of $1050 supports the participation of 35 students to the STEM Career Day event. Will allow your company or organization to have your logo displayed on our STEM Career Day website, as well as on the backs of the event shirts. Shirts will also be provided to the individuals your company sends to the event.

Registration is open! Please visit this link to register.

ACS - ACESS Joint Societies Meeting
2025-03-06 17:30 - 21:00 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Dr. Sadhan Jana of the University of Akron
BF Goodrich Professor, School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Separation of PFAS from Water Using Meso- and Macro-porous Materials
5:45 PM Networking
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Lecture (open to the public)
Dinner Reservations: Buy tickets at the links below: $25 for members/public and $10 for students/Retired/Unemployed. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Abstract: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are an emerging class of contaminants that are environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative, and noxious to human health. Among these, the perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) molecules are widely found in ground and surface water sources. A novel high surface area, meso- and macro-porous polymer wet gel is used in this work as adsorbent of PFOA molecules from water at environmentally relevant PFOA concentrations (≤ 1 μg/L) and cleanse water to below the U.S. EPA’s 2023 health advisory limit of 4 parts per trillion (ppt). The sigmoidal shape of PFOA adsorption isotherm indicates a two-step adsorption mechanism attributed to strong affinity of PFOA molecules for the polymer surface and molecular aggregation at the solid-liquid interfaces or within the pores of the wet gel. The adsorption kinetics and the effects of wet gel porosity, pore size, and pore volume on removal efficiency are reported. The adsorption kinetics is seen strongly dependent on the pore size and the pore volume.
BIO: Professor Sadhan C. Jana is currently the B.F. Goodrich Endowed Chair and Professor in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. He is a chemical engineer by training with a Ph.D. degree from Northwestern University. Professor Jana has been teaching at the University of Akron since 1998 and has served as the chair of Polymer Engineering Department and as associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. Professor Jana received National Science Foundation Faculty Early CAREER Award, Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Fred E. Schwab Award for outstanding achievements in education, George Stafford Whitby Award for distinguished research and education from the American Chemical Society Rubber Division. He is a Fellow and Honored Service Member of SPE and a Fellow of The Royal Society of Chemistry, UK. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Polymer Engineering & Science Journal and Executive Editor of all SPE journals – Polymer Engineering & Science, Polymer Composites, Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology, and SPE Polymers journals.

ACESS - Celebration of Stem
2025-03-11 16:30 - 19:30 | The University of Akron Student Union, 303 Carroll St, Akron, 44304, United States
Celebration of STEM for 4th and 5th Graders
The Student Union at the University of Akron
4:30 – 7:30 PM

SPE - Nottingham Spirk Tour
2025-04-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Nottingham-Spirk, 2200 Overlook Rd, Cleveland, 44106, United States
Please join us to tour this exciting and creative product development company in Cleveland Ohio (registration: get tickets at link below – pricing for all is $10). Dinner afterwards will be held at Tavern of Little Italy, 12117 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland 44106 (each guest pays own bill).
For over 50 years, Nottingham Spirk’s innovation consulting and product design firm has developed hundreds of patented products that have generated over $50 billion in sales for industry-leading businesses and fast-growth entrepreneurial firms. Nottingham Spirk offers a unique product design and development process in which all phases are conducted under one roof at our 62,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art Innovation Center, increasing confidentiality and speed to market.
Our wide breadth of IoT development capabilities allow us to seamlessly integrate physical devices with the digital world, creating smart and interconnected systems that can communicate with each other, monitor their environment and make intelligent decisions based on data analysis. This means that our clients can now enjoy increased efficiency, improved productivity and dependable safety and security across a range of industries and applications.
Please check them out at https://www.nottinghamspirk.com/
Security Note: Nottingham Spirk is a government contractor so these rules apply for this tour: no pictures allowed during the visit; per government regulations, visitors will be asked to identify if they are a U.S. citizen, Green Card holder or other and will be issued a visitor badge to wear throughout their visit.

ACESS - Presidents and Advisors Meeting
2025-04-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Summit Educational Service Center, 420 Washington Ave, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221, United States
Nick Wagner:
Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Work & Life
Registration: 5:00 PM
Meeting: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
This ACESS Presidents and Advisors Meeting is intended to bring together the ACESS Member Societies and our Advisors to discuss important issues regarding our profession – this year the impact of artificial intelligence. ACESS Presidents, Please respond by April 1 to Schultz Dave <schultzdave54@gmail.com> to coordinate the presentation from your society. This meeting is also open to society members and to interested members of the public.
Catering by Diamond Deli: Boxed Deli Sandwich – roast beef or turkey, potato salad, chips, brownie, plus drinks/coffee. $15. Please buy tickets by Wed. April 9 at the link below.
Program:

“Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Work & Life” by Nick Wagner
Panel Discussion:
– Dr. I. Chun Tsai and Associate Professor from LeBron James Family Foundation
– Sarah K. Starnes, Esq.- Assistant Professor The University of Akron Law School
Society Presentations: (oral, no PowerPoints)
– What else can ACESS do to help your society further engage your society members?
– What is your society doing with Artificial Intelligence?

“Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Work & Life” Synopsis:
This talk will cut through the hype to reveal the real-world applications of AI and how it is already augmenting human potential in homes, classrooms, and workplaces. Drawing on personal experiences and the latest research, we’ll dive into concrete examples of AI transforming education, revolutionizing scientific research, enhancing business processes, advancing medical breakthroughs, and optimizing engineering solutions. From shaping the next generation of innovators to pushing the boundaries of your field, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping our world.
Nick Wagner Bio:
Nick Wagner is a Senior Member of IEEE and IEEE Computer Society, a business leader, and an AI optimist with extensive experience leveraging AI for coding, business automation, customer support, text and image generation, classification, and education. As a business leader, he has extensive firsthand insights into AI’s opportunities and challenges. A homeschooling father and mentor, Nick actively integrates AI into education, coaches his children and others on its ethical use, has delivered AI-focused talks, served as a featured panelist for the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and is currently writing a book on faith and AI, advocating for its responsible use to augment human potential across education, industry, and beyond.

ACS - John C. Crano Award Lecture
2025-04-22 17:30 - 20:30 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Omar Farha
Professor of Chemistry, Northwestern University
Nano Solutions for Global Challenges: The Promise of Metal-Organic Frameworks
Evening Program at Missing Falls Brewery
5:30 PM Networking
6:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Presentation of Awards and The John. C. Crano Lecture: Omar Farha

There will also be a technical lecture by Omar Farha at 3:00 PM on Apr 22 at the Unversity of Akron in MGH 111. Both the afternoon and evening lectures are free and open to the public.
Buy dinner tickets online at the links below. The dinner price increases by $5 after Apr 15. The dinner for each awardee plus one guest is free, but please RSVP at the link below. In addition to the Crano Lecturer, the awardees include Outstanding Juniors, The Gene Easter Awardee, and member being recognized for 50, 60 , and 70 years of ACS membership.
The Crano Memorial Lecture series honors John Crano, a chemist at PPG, who had been instrumental in developing the photochromic materials for PPG’s polycarbonate eyeglass lenses. This technology has become the basis for Transitions® eyeglasses. Crano was a former chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Akron Section and an active ACS member.
Evening Abstract: Nano Solutions for Global Challenges: The Promise of Metal-Organic Frameworks Eighty years ago, polymers were largely unknown to the general public. However, in the late 1930s, one polymer—nylon—became a household name almost overnight. Nylon’s debut revolutionized the women’s hosiery market, marking the beginning of a materials revolution that would take decades to unfold. Over time, polymers became indispensable, finding applications in clothing, kitchenware, electronics, building materials, medicine, and beyond. Today, they are recognized as one of the defining materials of the 20th century.
Looking ahead, porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—often referred to as “smart and programmable sponges”—are poised to become a hallmark material of the 21st century. Although this class of multidimensional crystalline materials is still in its early stages, their potential is vast. Fifty years from now, MOFs could be as integral to human life as polymers are today.
MOFs can be envisioned as nano-scale Tinker Toy assemblies, with metal nodes and organic linkers forming highly ordered, periodic structures. This modular design gives MOFs remarkable versatility and tunability, enabling a wide array of applications. Researchers worldwide have already explored their relevance in drug delivery, water harvesting, gas storage, chemical separations, and the destruction of toxic agents such as nerve gases.
Significantly, the commercialization of MOFs has begun, with start-up companies driving the transition from lab-scale research to practical, real-world applications. This talk will delve into the transformative potential of metal-organic frameworks, highlighting their role as enabling materials for environmental applications. From basic scientific discovery to implementation and commercialization, MOFs are paving the way for innovative solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Bio: Omar K. Farha is the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair at Northwestern University, an Executive Editor for ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and President of Numat Technologies. His current research spans diverse areas of chemistry and materials science ranging from energy to defense-related challenges. His research accomplishments have been recognized by notable awards and honors.
Afternoon Abstract (Mary Gladwin Hall 111, 3 PM April 22, 2025): Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) can be envisioned as nanoscale Tinker Toy-like architectures, where metal nodes connect with organic linkers to form highly ordered, crystalline networks. This modular design imparts MOFs with extraordinary versatility and tunability, allowing researchers to precisely tailor their structural and chemical properties for a diverse range of applications. Over the past two decades, scientists have explored MOFs for drug delivery, water harvesting, gas storage, separation applications, and even the breakdown of hazardous substances such as nerve agents. Their exceptional porosity, high surface area, and tunable chemistry make them ideal candidates for addressing complex challenges in energy, sustainability, and environmental remediation. Crucially, MOFs are no longer confined to the laboratory. The past decade has witnessed a significant shift toward commercialization, with innovative start-ups and industry leaders driving the transition from fundamental research to real-world solutions. Companies are now leveraging MOFs for industrial-scale gas separations, efficient hydrogen storage, carbon capture and conversion, and advanced filtration technologies for clean water and air purification. The integration of MOFs into membranes, coatings, and catalytic systems is further expanding their impact, making them key enablers of next-generation materials science and engineering. This talk will focus on the role of MOFs in separation applications, highlighting their potential to revolutionize gas separations through selective adsorption, molecular sieving, and tunable interactions.

ORG - Spring Technical Meeting
2025-04-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St. Suite 112, Akron, OH, 44311, United States
Agenda
5:00 – Registration, Bar Opens, Buffet Dinner Opens
5:30 – Technical Presentations
7:00 – Open Networking
PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE IN VENUE!
This event will be held at Missing Falls Brewery, 540 S. Main St., Akron.
Registration

Advanced Reservations: $35 each; buy tickets online at the link below. Please note that although we are using PayPal to make the transaction, you do not need to have a PayPal account. Simply enter your Credit Card information.
***Without prior reservation: $40 each (limited number). 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.
FREE to Students, but you must make a reservation in advance at the link below.
Alternatively, email reservations to Denise Kotz at denisekotz@strategicrealm.consulting OR mail to Ohio Rubber Group, PO Box 553, Hudson, OH 44236.

Technical Presentations

“Exploring the Failure Mechanisms of Elastomeric Systems”
Asal Yousefi Siavoshani, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron
This study investigates the fundamental mechanisms governing delayed rupture and fracture in elastomeric systems, with a particular focus on the roles of bond dissociation kinetics and chain dynamics.
“New “Swiss Army Knife” Molecule for Safety and Technical Performance”
Justine Guironnet, Key Account Manager, Rhein Chemie / Lanxess
Lanxess proposes an innovative and safe molecule that can be used in all types of compounds, like a Swiss army knife. Thanks to the chemistry of this molecule, mechanical properties are improved, blooming is avoided and toxic chemistry could be removed.
PANEL DISCUSSION: “Beyond Business Cards: Turning Networking into Opportunity”
Fred Carter, Strategic-Partner, Schooley Mitchell
Mike McDonnell, Business Development Manager, Ace Laboratories
Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards—it’s about building real connections that open doors. This presentation shares how professional societies, industry groups, and volunteer organizations can expand networks, deepen relationships, and create career opportunities. Drawing from experiences with the Ohio Rubber Group, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, the Polymer Industry Cluster, Rotary, and Scouting, this session offers practical tips for getting involved, taking on leadership roles, and leveraging connections for job interviews, career growth, and personal enjoyment. Whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional, learn how to make networking work for you—with a bit of humor along the way.

SPE - Akron Chapter Awards Ceremony
2025-05-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Raintree Golf and Event Center, 4350 Mayfair Rd, Uniontown, OH, 44685, United States
Please join us for the last meeting of the season as we present various awards and scholarships.
Elyse Ball, Vice President of Programming- Bounce Innovation Hub – Keynote Address: Path from Innovation to Successful Business: Helping Entrepreneurs Realize Technology Commercialization
Medal of Honor for Lifetime Service Awards will be presented to Dan Jones and Joe Mattingly. Our Hall of Honor inductee is Will Hemker, and the William C. Zekan Memorial Service Award will be presented to Tony Dean.
Program information:
♦ 5:00 Sign-up and Networking
♦ 5:30 Welcome and Introduction ‐
♦ 6:00 Dinner
♦ 6:45 Keynote Speaker: Elyse Ball, Vice President of Programming- Bounce Innovation Hub
♦ Following our Keynote Speaker: Awards: SPE Medal of Honor For Lifetime Service Award, SPE Hall of Honor, SPE William C. Zekan Memorial Service Award, Named Scholarships
♦ Special Thanks and Final Wrap‐up
Please reserve by May 8. Buy tickets online using the links below. For honorees and one guest for each honoree, the dinner is free, but please reserve the relevant number of places at the RSVP link below.
Although it is past the deadline, late tickets and RSVPs are still available.

MSNO - 67th Annual May Conference
2025-05-21 | John Carroll University, Dolan Science Center, 1 John Carroll Blvd, University Heights, OH, 44118
Keynote speake: Dr. Larry Drummy, Air Force Research Laboratory
More information will be posted as available.

Polymer Cluster - Polymer Palooza
2025-06-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St, Akron, OH, 44308, United States
What is a Polymer?
Incredible substances that make up everything around us – from the rubber in your sneakers to the plastic in your water bottle.
Delve into the wonders of polymers and polymer careers!

Interactive exhibits
Hands-on experiments
Engaging demonstrations

ORG - Early Summer Golf Outing - 2025
2025-06-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Brookledge Golf Club, 1621 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, 44221, United States
Registration: 7:00 – 7:45 am
Shotgun Start: 8:00 am
4 Golfer Scramble
Dinner: 2:00 pm – Brookledge Pavilion
Cost: $150.00
* Includes golf with cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, door prize, raffle ticket, skill awards and prizes.
Mulligan cards are available for an additional $5 each.
Registration Form deadline: June 6, 2025
******Even if you don’t golf, join us for dinner!
DINNER ONLY: $40 (Catered by “Terrible Tom’s Barbeque”)
Pay in advance at the links below for this golf outing! (preferred)
Registration Forms and Corporate Hole Sponsor Forms are available at https://www.ohiorubbergroup.org/event/early-summer-golf-outing-2025/

Late Summer Golf Outing – 2025
2025-08-25 07:30 - 20:30 | Silver Lake Country Club, 1325 Graham Rd, Stow, OH, 44224, United States
August 25 @ 7:00 am – 8:30 pm
$5 – $200

Silver Lake Golf Club
Registration: 7:00 – 7:45 am
Shotgun Start: 8:00 am & 1:30 pm – CHOOSE MORNING OR AFTERNOON
4 Golfer Scramble
Dinner: 7:00 pm
Cost: $165.00
Optional additional round: $75
* Includes golf with cart, lunch, dinner, beverages, door prize, raffle ticket, skill awards and prizes.
Mulligan cards are available for an additional $5 each.
Registration Form deadline: AUGUST 18, 2025
******Even if you don’t golf, join us for dinner!
DINNER ONLY: $45
HOLE SPONSOR: $200/hole
Pay in advance at the links below for this golf outing! (preferred)
Registration Forms and Corporate Hole Sponsor Forms are available at
