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| The 14th International Conference on Wear of Materials (WOM
2003) was held in from 30 March to 3 April 2003 in Washington DC. The objective of this
biennial conference is to provide a forum in which current research, technical
developments and engineering case studies may be presented and discussed to further the
understanding and use of materials for wear-related applications. The conference also aims
to promote interaction between researchers and practising engineers. |
The Washington Monument |
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Although the conference was held at the height of the US-led
war against Iraq, the conference still attracted over 240 participants from 36 countries.
For its size, Singapore was well-represented with 4 oral presentations, 3 of which were
given by staff from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NUS.
WOM 2003 saw increased coverage on nanotribology and biomaterials, to reflect the growing
emphasis worldwide on nanotechnology and bioengineering. This had the welcome effect of
boosting significantly the number of female participants, many of whom work in the latter
area. The growing number of women at the conference even prompted the setting up of the
International Network of Women in Tribology (Wtrib_NET). The aim of the network is to
promote the progression of women in academia and industrial tribology, a field that
hitherto has attracted mostly men. The network is sponsored by the Institute of Physics,
UK, and is chaired by Prof Margaret Stack of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK,
with representatives from major universities and research institutes around the world. |
The Jefferson Memorial |
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The last day of the conference
coincided with the first day of the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, one of Washington's
best-known events, where 3700 of the famous Japanese cherry trees by the Tidal Basin in
Potomac Park bloom in a profusion of pink and white. After an entire week marked by
near-freezing weather and occasional snow flurries, the sun also made a long-awaited
appearance, bringing a dazzling and colourful end to another successful WOM conference.
Pink and white cherry blossoms |
For more information, please contact: Dr Christina Lim.
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