Composites Weekly

On this episode, Derek DeGeest joins me on the show to talk automation and advanced robotic technology in the composites industry. 

Derek is the president at DeGeest Corporation, a leading resource for manufacturers looking for excellence in automation, and finishing. They've been helping manufacturers solve problems since 1976.

On this episode, Dan Neumann joins me to discuss the port strike called at East and Gulf Coast cargo facilities. Thousands of dockworkers from New England to Texas went on strike just after midnight on Tuesday. We'll be discussing what's being done in Washington and how manufacturing companies in our industry should prepare. 

On this episode, David Leach joins us again to share his thoughts on another successful CAMX show. David was awarded the SAMPE "Distinguished Service Award" this year - given to individuals who have significantly contributed to the betterment of society and have made a lasting impact on the organization’s mission.

David will share some highlights of this year's event that stood out to him. 

On this episode, we'll feature part 2 of our interviews at CAMX 2024 last week in San Diego. 

These interviews include: 

On this episode, we'll feature part 1 of some great interviews at CAMX 2024 last week in San Diego. 

These interviews include: 

On this episode, Chris Oberste, Ph.D. joins the podcast to discuss their work in winning the 2024 Altair Future of Lightweighting Award. This achievement was possible through their partnership with Braskem and Clemson Composites Center.

You can learn more about their technology by visiting https://weav3d.com. 

On this episode, Mirko Mondan, CEO of Dorfner joins the podcast to discuss some significant developments taking place within their company. 

ACS International Products, a leading supplier of raw materials for the cast polymer, solid surface composites, epoxy flooring, and building materials industries, will officially transition to Dorfner USA by the end of this year. This transition marks an important milestone for the company, as Dorfner USA will further expand its’ operations across North America. 

The rebranding will enhance the company's visibility and streamline service offerings to better meet customer needs globally.

You can learn more by visiting https://www.dorfner.com/en. 

On this episode, Mark Davidson joins me to talk about RAMPF's Close Contour Technology. Their system uses epoxy and polyurethane pastes and castings to create high-quality models and molds that are close to the final part's shape. The technology has several benefits, including: 

Applications include design and styling models, molds, large-scale modeling, rotor blade, wind turbine, and boat models. You can learn more by visiting www.rampf-group.com. 

Also, if you're attending CAMX next week, you can find them at booth L31.

On this episode, Markus Zetterström joins us to discuss their research in developing a multipurpose lightweight material that can carry load, and store electrical energy, all in one. Imagine a carbon fiber composite that doubles as a battery.

Their team at Sinonus has achieved this by utilizing the structural strengths of carbon fibers while simultaneously letting them serve as electrodes in a battery cell. This in combination with a specially developed electrolyte, makes it possible to build lightweight and structurally strong constructions with an integrated electrical storage capacity.

You can learn more about their work by visiting www.sinonus.com.

On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Rob Germann join me to discuss the ACMA’s recent work with the US Army Corps of Engineers on a personalized training program located at Creative Composites Group’s facility in Dayton, OH.

The training is based on the CCT VIP program, and they’ll discuss how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leveraging composite materials and the CCT program in future projects.

You can learn more about the ACMA's CCT training program by visiting https://acmanet.org/education/certified-composites-technician-program.

On this episode, Cindy Squires and Rebekah Stacha join me to talk about CAMX 2024, taking place in just 3 weeks out in San Diego, CA (Sep. 9-12). It's the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America.

You can still register by visiting https://www.thecamx.org. 

This week, Garrett Bernard joins the show. Garret is the director of business development at Specialty Materials, the world's leading supplier of the highest quality Boron fiber products. 

Garrett has spent his career in marketing and business development roles, growing specialty chemical and advanced manufacturing companies. He has a background in materials science and is an instrument-rated pilot.

You can learn more about them by visiting https://www.specmaterials.com. 

On this episode, Dr. Yasmin Abdin joins me to discuss her research work innovating a method to transform asphaltene, a byproduct of bitumen processing, into carbon fibers.

Bitumen which is typically restricted for use as fuel or asphalt, could now be transformed into more useful and valuable carbon nanofibres. Dr. Abdin and her colleagues have now turned their research into a startup, Fibernx Technologies, to commercialize their innovation by the end of 2024. You can learn more by visiting www.fibernxtech.com.

On this episode, Josh Shires, CEO of Fyous joins me to discuss their latest technology for tooling. It's called Polymorphic Moulding, an automated rapid shapeshifting molding technology that allows users to create accurate molds for tooling and will reduce time to market for a huge array of products. 

Their technology uses 28,000 digitally controlled pins to create a shape from a 3D CAD shape in less than 20 minutes, achieving zero waste and enabling parts production 14 times faster than 3D printing.

It can be applied to a limitless number of products and sectors - including composites. Polymorphic Moulding is a zero-waste technology where raw materials are conserved and the molds can be used over and over.

Josh will be sharing the background of this technology on the show. You can learn more by visiting their website at https://fyous.com. 

On this episode, we welcome Dustin Davis to the podcast. He is the director of business development at Norplex-Micarta, one of North America's leading producers of thermoset composite pre-pregs, sheets, and shapes. They have a long history of more than 100 years, of serving their customers.

Dustin has more than two decades of composite materials industry experience, with roots in manufacturing and engineering.

You can learn more about their company by visiting www.norplex-micarta.com. 

On this episode, David Leach joins me to discuss the transition from thermoset to thermoplastic composites. David has been the director of business development at ATC Manufacturing, and a thermoplastic composites materials technology leader for over three decades.

ATC pioneers the adoption of continuous fiber thermoplastic composites in aero-structures. They supply more than a million parts per year, operating in a state-of-the-art facility in the eastern Washington, Northern Idaho region.

David will be presenting at ECCM21 next week on the topic of transitioning from thermoset composites to TPCs. ECCM21 (European Conference on Composite Materials) is Europe’s leading conference on composite materials and will provide a forum for access to the latest knowledge from both industry and academia in all areas of composite materials.

You can learn more about ECCM21 by visiting https://eccm21.org.

On this episode, we feature a leadership segment with Vanessa Bohns, author of the bestselling book You Have More Influence Than You Think. Her book was named Best Book for Ethical Leaders by Notre Dame’s Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, and a Top Business Title of the Month by the Financial Times. In the book, Vanessa draws from her original research to illustrate why we fail to recognize the influence we have, and how that lack of awareness can lead us to miss opportunities or accidentally misuse our power. 

You can learn more about her by visiting https://www.vanessabohns.com. 

On this episode, Pravin Luthada, CEO of Addcomposites joins me to discuss the new age of AFP (automated fiber placement) technology. Addcomposites aims to become the go-to provider of advanced manufacturing solutions that enable widespread adoption of composites.

Traditional AFP systems are cost prohibitive and difficult to verify at the production floor, but their new technology (AFP-XS) is a plug-and-play system that converts any robot into an AFP system. 

You can learn more by visiting https://www.addcomposites.com/about-us. 

On this episode, ACMA consultant Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me to discuss technologies that are driving Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0 is often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution and it represents a seismic shift in the way manufacturing and production processes are managed. 

With the advent of smart factories, the integration of cyber-physical systems, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and artificial intelligence, we are witnessing unprecedented levels of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies.

We’ll also be featuring a previous interview with Brian Fitzgerald of Augury discussing how A.I. is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry with its ability to predict machine and equipment failure, enhancing efficiency and reducing downtime costs. 

On this episode, Xuan Song, PhD joins me to discuss his research in additive manufacturing. Dr. Song is an Associate Professor and James A. Chisman Faculty Fellow in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Iowa.

His research focuses on studying how material forming processes found in nature can be leveraged to enable sustainable, ultra-low-temperature additive manufacturing (AM) of novel ceramics and composites. He is a recipient of multiple awards including the NSF CAREER award in 2023, the AFOSR Young Investigator award in 2024, the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer award in 2022, and the College of Engineering Early Career Faculty Excellence award at UIowa in 2023.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wuhan University, master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Zhejiang University, and PhD degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Southern California. 

https://am.lab.uiowa.edu/personnel/xuan-song.

On this episode Jesse Henry, CEO of Heartland joins us to share some recent news. Chemovator, the business incubator of BASF, has successfully finalized an investment in their company. Heartland is a material science company that provides manufacturers with a sustainable source of additives like fillers, reinforcements, & mineral extenders to enhance products they already make. They work with local farmers to produce natural fiber materials, enabling manufacturers to create more sustainable products.

With this investment funding, Heartland becomes Chemovator’s first portfolio company in North America. Jesse will be sharing an update on Heartland, and what this investment means for their company moving forward. 

On this episode, Tom Barnes joins me to discuss how their company is redefining the way the world views pickleball. Selkirk Sport was founded in 2014 and is the leading manufacturer of pickleball paddles and equipment. 

To help drive innovation, Selkirk Sport created Selkirk Labs, a first-of-its-kind program, that invites players to be part of the innovation process. Members of Selkirk Labs get first access to test paddle prototypes. Using their feedback and A.I. programming, their engineers tweak the prototypes to better suit players' needs before adding the paddles to their main line, which is made entirely in the U.S.

Tom is a co-owner and the director of research and development for Selkirk Sport. The company was founded while Tom was serving in the Marine Corps and after transitioning into the USMC Reserves, Tom was excited to join his brothers.  

Now, Tom infuses his passion for technology and advanced manufacturing into developing new materials, equipment and manufacturing approaches for pickleball. Tom is dedicated to developing a world-class R&D ecosystem,coupled with a lean manufacturing approach to elevate Selkirk's innovation and production standards. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://www.selkirk.com. 

On this episode, John Schweitzer and Kyle Jordan of the ACMA join me to discuss a couple of topics. John will be discussing the ACMA’s Composites Sustainability Conference coming up June 4-6 in Denver, CO.

You can learn more about this event by visiting https://acma-org.my.site.com/csft24. 

Kyle Jordan will be giving an update on the CCT Instructor Course that took place earlier this month in Kansas City, and explain what new instructors can do with the designation. 

On this episode, Markus Buehler, McAfee Professor of Engineering at MIT joins me to discuss how they are using machine learning to create stronger materials. 

For engineers developing new materials, there are billions of different possibilities to sort through. Lab tests & detailed computer simulations to determine their exact properties can take hours, and even days for each variation. Now, a new artificial intelligence-based approach developed at MIT could reduce that to a matter of milliseconds. 

Markus discusses their new course on Predictive Multiscale Materials Design. In this course, you will enhance your ability to leverage materials design, machine learning, and additive manufacturing to create better materials. 

You can register at: https://professional.mit.edu/course-catalog/predictive-multiscale-materials-design

On this episode, Blair Robbins joins me on the show to discuss the closure of the Port of Baltimore, and how it might impact supply chains for our industry. 

Blair is a partner in the Transportation and Logistics Group at EisnerAmper, and has nearly 30 years of experience helping companies cope with supply chain issues, and challenges in inventory management due to disruptions from the pandemic to infrastructure damage and natural, disasters, labor shortages, and terrorism. 

You can learn more by visiting https://www.eisneramper.com/transportation-and-logistics. 

On this episode, Mark Scott and Jake Rowen of Resodyn join me to discuss their RAM acoustic mixing technology. They are a global leader in mixing and processing solutions. 

Mixing is a key processing step in nearly every industry from lubricants to ceramics.

Traditionally, mixing has been accomplished using motor-driven impellers, blades and other engineered devices that rotate or agitate the ingredients. These methods, however, present several challenges including degradation of particles during mixing, non-uniform and inconsistent mix quality, and extended mixing times.

Fortunately, a new and innovative technology solves many of the problems that plague traditional mixers.

RAM combines the efficient power generation of resonance and the effects of sound energy to facilitate mixing – without the use of mechanical means within a mixing vessel.

Since 1994, Resodyn Corporation has built a legacy of facing down tough global problems with disciplined science and engineering, spanning numerous fields of study.

Their innovative process and product design approach have turned many of those discoveries into commercial product successes. 

You can learn more about their technology by visiting https://resodynmixers.com. 

This week Sebastian Pohlmann of UP Catalyst joins the podcast to discuss the world's first scalable technology for utilizing industrial CO₂ emissions. Their Carbon Nanotubes are directly produced from CO₂ emissions via molten-salt carbon capture and electrochemical transformation.

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) can enhance the mechanical properties of composite materials - improving the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact resistance. 

You can learn more about UP Catalyst by visiting https://upcatalyst.com. 

On this episode, Paul Gloyer, the president of GTL, (Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories, Inc.) joins me to discuss recent news involving validation test results from their LH2 Liquid Hydrogen Composite Dewar-Tanks for Aviation Applications.

GTL is an aerospace engineering research and development company headquartered in Tullahoma, TN with a second office in California. They specialize in providing transformational technologies to the aerospace and defense industry. 

They’ve won numerous development contracts with NASA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Navy, and others. 

Paul has 25 years of experience delivering technical solutions to solve the aerospace industry's most challenging problems. He has led efforts to develop a wide variety of aerospace systems including the PA-X suborbital rocket, the SPORT orbit transfer vehicle, and the Encounter solar-sail craft. 

You can learn more about GTL by visiting https://www.gtlcompany.com. 

On this episode, Florence Moreau of TeXtreme joins me to discuss their new TeXtreme 360°. It belongs to a new class of composite materials called tape-based Discontinuous Fiber Composites (DFCs), combining in-plane isotropy, high strength and stiffness, and enhanced manufacturability. 

This new class of composite materials is an alternative to traditional metal alloys and continuous fiber composites, unlocking new possibilities across a wide range of applications.

Textreme has established itself as the market leader in spread tow thin-ply carbon reinforcements. Introduced to the market in 2005,  it was quickly recognized in high-performance sports applications where customers valued its low weight and high performance.

You can learn more about the TeXtreme 360° by visiting https://www.textreme.com/product/45/360. 

On this episode, Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me as we discuss A.I. and technology advances in the manufacturing sector. 

The global marketplace is changing at an unprecedented pace, and technology is poised to play a significant role in supporting manufacturers to take on the challenges they may face in 2024 and beyond. 

Andrew Pokelwaldt is a regular guest of the show. He's a manufacturing consultant, with a focus on training, and workforce development. He's an industry leader, experienced in the composites fabrication and manufacturing process, and a military veteran. 

On this episode Thomas Lepretre, joins me again on the show to highlight JEC World 2024 coming up in less than two weeks.

This huge event brings together not only all major global companies but also innovative startups in the field of composites and advanced materials.

Thomas will be highlighting what attendees can expect on the show floor during the week of March 5-7, as well as some areas of focus at this year's event. 

This week, Alex Blum, CEO of Applied Bioplastics joins me on the podcast to discuss bio based thermoplastic composites. Applied Bioplastics has developed a unique technology that permanently bonds natural cellulose fibers and polymer to produce durable plastic for manufacturers.

It is the first alternative to be cost-competitive with commodity feedstocks, and requires no changes to standard injection molding equipment. In addition, it utilizes the most available bio-polymer on the planet - cellulose. About 1.5 trillion tons of cellulose is produced annually. 

On this episode Dan Neumann joins us again to talk about the Composites 2024 Fly-In taking place next week (Feb 26-28) in Washington DC. This event will provide a unique setting to meet with members of Congress and agency leadership to educate them on the valuable capabilities of composite materials.

You can learn more by visiting https://acma-org.my.site.com/flyin2024. 

On this episode, Elizabeth Chabe discusses her latest bestselling book The Giant’s Ladder: The Science Professional’s Blueprint for Marketing Success. Her new book is a critical resource for scientists and technology professionals seeking effective marketing strategies to launch their innovations commercially.

This book is a culmination of Chabe’s extensive experience in science marketing, offering a practical guide for the scientist-turned-entrepreneur. The book addresses the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success, providing actionable strategies to navigate the unique challenges of marketing in science and technology sectors.

As the CEO of High Touch Group, Elizabeth has elevated clients in biotech, diagnostics, aerospace, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing to global prominence. 

Her work has been featured in major publications like The New York Times, Popular Science, and Fast Company. Elizabeth’s expertise offers a powerful blend of tactical skill and market foresight, and her influence is instrumental in shaping scientific product marketing.

You can learn more about Elizabeth, by visiting https://elizabethchabe.com. 

On this week's episode, John Kehoe of Boaz Partners joins me again to discuss the work they are doing for companies in the composites and advanced materials industry.

Boaz Partners is a premier recruiting agency that specializes in connecting exceptional talent with leading companies in cutting-edge industries like advanced materials and composites. They understand the unique skills and experiences required in these dynamic industries.

With their extensive network and deep understanding of the market, they’re committed to finding the perfect match for both candidates and companies. 

You can learn more by visiting them at BoazPartners.com/advancedmaterials.

This week I welcome Kerry Drake, PhD to the podcast. Kerry is the Technology Manager for Greene Tweed, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastics, composites, seals, and engineered components. 

Combining 160 years of technical expertise and commercial knowledge in a variety of markets, Greene Tweed collaborates with customers to develop engineered solutions that meet challenging performance requirements of the aerospace/defense, energy, semiconductor, industrial, life sciences, and chemical processing industries. 

You can learn more by visiting http://www.gtweed.com.

Kerry is an inventor on multiple granted patents in polymers, coatings, and elastomeric products, and has presented at several international conferences in Polymer chemistry and materials science.

His specialties include expertise in ultra-performance polymers and materials including, high-performance thermosets, elastomer chemistry and product development, and organic and inorganic coatings. 

He has led the development of multiple new products from concept through synthesis, pilot scale production, and commercial launch. 

On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Peter Hedger of the ACMA join me for a discussion on workforce development. Kyle is the director of certifications with the ACMA and Peter is Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Membership. 

We'll be talking about a recent workforce development research survey that the ACMA completed back in October, and some of the data from it. The results were clear - the industry wants and needs more training. As we share some of the feedback from companies, we'll also discuss just how CCT training & certification can help improve employee retention. 

For more info on the ACMA's CCT certification programs, visit https://acmanet.org. 

On this episode, Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me to discuss some of the latest industry news including the New Vulcan Centaur rocket that successfully launched. 

The Vulcan Centaur rocket features the first use of Northrop Grumman’s Graphite Epoxy Motor solid rocket booster. At over 72 feet long and 63 inches in diameter, the GEM 63XL is the longest monolithic SRB ever produced for flight. 

This week, Tyler Alvarado, CEO of Continuous Composites joins me on the show. This company is on a journey to transform manufacturing.

Continuous Composites began with a realization that composites manufacturing was a problem waiting to be solved.

Their vision is to break the mold of additive manufacturing and advance new platforms and processes using composite materials. 

They're developing solutions directly with industry leaders to ensure efficient and effective market entry upon CF3D® commercialization. CF3D® is comprised of hardware, materials, software, and configurable motion platforms to harness the power of composites without the constraints of traditional manufacturing.

You can learn more by visitng https://www.continuouscomposites.com.

You can also follow their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/continuous-composites. 

Also, Continuous Composites is hosting a technology tour in Huntsville, AL Tuesday, February 6 8:30am - 2pm CST. You can learn from industry experts about the features, benefits, and applications of Continuous Composites' paradigm shifting technology.

You can learn more by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/continuous-composites-technology-tour-huntsville-alabama-tickets-761379174607. 

For our first podcast of 2024, we wanted to start the year with a discussion on innovation. To compete and be profitable in today's marketplace, you need big, creative solutions and you need them now.

On this episode, I share an interview with Dr. Roger Firestein. He is the author of the book Create in a Flash: A Leader’s Recipe for Breakthrough Innovation.

Just as you would follow a recipe to cook a great meal, there is a recipe for creating great ideas, and Roger shares it in his book. He's trained more people to lead the creative process than anyone else in the world. He helped Clorox solve a 77-year-old problem in 15 minutes and helped save General Motors $50,000 per week! 

Create in a Flash is based on Roger's 40 years of helping companies unleash the innovation of their workforce. Roger’s clients include AT&T, SC Johnson, Disney, Hilton, NASA and over 600 other organizations big and small

Roger is a Senior Faculty member at the International Center for Studies in Creativity, and President of Innovation Resources, Inc.

You can learn more about him at https://rogerfirestien.com. 

This week, John Melilli of Composite Automation LLC joins me on our last podcast episode of 2023. John has over 30 years of experience in the application of mechanical, electrical & industrial automation components and systems for manufacturing. He's been working with composite part manufacturers since 2004.

Composite Automation is the only manufacturer’s representative firm in North America that focuses on providing innovative composites manufacturing solutions to companies manufacturing various types of composite structures. 

On this episode, we'll be discussing Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) technology by Cevotec. This system enables manufacturers to build complex fiber composites in high volume. This process has the potential to revolutionize the production of complex lightweight parts in several industries. 

You can learn more about Composite Automation by visiting https://www.compositeautomation.com. 

This week Stephen Nolet, senior director, innovation & technology for TPI joins me on the podcast. TPI was founded in 1968 and since 2001, has manufactured over 90,000 wind blades.

They are a global company focused on innovative and sustainable solutions to decarbonize and electrify the world. They accounted for approximately 38% of all onshore wind blades on a megawatt basis globally, excluding China, in 2022. 

TPI is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and they've expanded their global footprint to include domestic facilities in Newton, Iowa; Warren, Rhode Island; and Santa Teresa, New Mexico and international facilities in Kolding, Denmark; Chennai, India; Juarez, Mexico; Matamoros, Mexico; and Izmir, Turkey.

Their mission is to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to decarbonize and electrify the world by expanding the adoption of renewable energy.

On this episode, Steve will be sharing the background of TPI and the incredible opportunities ahead in the wind energy market. Wind energy is expected to make up over 30% of electricity generation in 2050 with close to 8,000 gigawatts installed. Compare this to approximately 830 gigawatts generated in 2021! 

You can learn more about TPI by visiting https://tpicomposites.com. 

Manufacturers in every sector are incorporating promising new processes and materials into product development and production—which often involve coating, sealing, and bonding. 

Because these molecular interactions are invisible, a host of unseen environmental conditions can compromise surface integrity during production, leading to costly flaws and breakdowns. 

On this episode, Lucas Dillingham of Brighton Science joins the podcast to highlight their company’s technology – a system that allows manufacturers to confidently assess surface readiness for bonding, coating, or sealing at the point of preparation.

More than 20 years ago, Brighton Science began as a development lab for plasma polymerized coatings. 

Through research and development work led by their Chief Scientist and founder Dr. Giles Dillingham, Brighton Science made great strides in the field of material science and adhesives in manufacturing. 

It was during this time that Brighton Science developed the Surface Analyst, the first hand-held contact angle measurement device used in the development of adhesive bonding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. 

You can learn more about their technology by visiting https://www.brighton-science.com. 

On this episode, Lorenzo Mencattelli of Helicoid Industries joins me to discuss how their company is gaining international recognition as a groundbreaking innovation in the composites market.

Their biomimetic composite technology enhances impact toughness, reduces weight, provides superior structural integrity, safety, reduces raw-material costs, and improves energy efficiency compared to conventional composite laminates.

They're collaborating with world-leading composites parts manufacturers and composites material suppliers to develop innovations in the sporting goods, consumer products, impact protective equipment, ballistic armors, automotive components, wind turbine blades, naval, oil & gas, and aerospace market segments.

You can learn more about their technology by visiting www.helicoidind.com. 

On this episode, Russell Covarrubia of Covarrubia Energy joins me to discuss how they are using pyrolysis technology to meet the demands of energy transition and electrification globally. Their goal is to produce reliable, renewable utility-scale power plants that deliver both on energy and financial output. 

This is part 3 of our interviews from CAMX 2023 in Atlanta last week. 

This episode features interviews with Daniel Neumann, Andrew Pokelwaldt and Peter Hedger of the ACMA, as well as companies like Toray Advanced Composites and CEAD. 

This is part 2 of our interviews from CAMX 2023 in Atlanta last week. 

This episode features interviews with companies like Vibrantz Technologies, Fives, Crimson Racing, and ACS International. 

On this episode, we share some interviews from CAMX 2023 in Atlanta last week. It was a great show and we had the opportunity to speak with several companies during the event. 

We'll be making these "CAMX interviews" a three part segment. 

For part one, we feature interviews with Paua, a UK-based material technology company, and CAMX award finalist. This episode also includes interviews with John Kehoe of Boaz Partners, Adam Harms, the founder of Modulus, and John Thoma of Gefran. 

This week Ryan Oner of AKPA Chemicals joins me to share some of the latest news from their company. AKPA Chemicals specializes in the production of organic peroxides & initiators. 

They'll be featuring at CAMX in Atlanta next week and will be located at booth T44. 

You can visit their website at https://akpachemicalus.com. 

This week Madeline Wehrle joins me on the show. She is the business development manager at Re:Build, a company that develops and manufactures technologically advanced products from concept through production at scale here in the United States using a "Brain to Box™" process.

Re:Build offers customers a new model of American industrialization. They've developed a combination of manufacturing operations and engineering capabilities that enable their customers to grow a local, robust, competitive business.

Projects begin with concept development and product engineering. Then they work closely with customers to develop a highly flexible manufacturing process and solution or, as they like to say, go from Brain to Box™. 

We'll be discussing their process and some of the industries they're involve with. 

You can learn more by visiting https://rebuildmanufacturing.com. 

On this episode, John H Moore of JHM Technologies joins me on the podcast. For over 30 years JHM Technologies, Inc. has provided closed molders worldwide with proven closed molding solutions. Known globally by their passion for the industry and assisting molders to achieve their closed molding goals. JHM Technologies'​ innovative approach provides molders with custom turn-key packages that are precisely tuned to meet their production needs.

John is the president of the company and he'll be discussing some new technology they've developed to assist open molders. This technology retrofits on to existing spray systems and helps resin & gel coat operators maintain proper catalyst levels during temperature changes inside the plant. 

On this episode, ACMA consultant Andrew Pokelwald joins me to discuss how the composites industry is meeting infrastructure challenges. In construction projects, many are seeing the cost-saving advantages of building with highly durable and innovative composite materials.

Composites offer the advantages of corrosion resistance and durability, leading to longer service life for structures.

We'll be looking at some of the biggest opportunities in infrastructure and how composite manufacturers are meeting those challenges. 

On this episode, Cindy Squires and Rebekah Stacha join me to highlight CAMX 2023 taking place down in Atlanta at the end of October. CAMX is the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America. 

It offers a robust education program with a massive exhibit hall showcasing hundreds of manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. You can register today by visiting https://www.thecamx.org. 

You can check out a list of ACE and CAMX award finalists at:  https://camx23.mapyourshow.com/8_0/sessions/#/searchtype/sessionkeyword/search/Award%20Entries/show/all. 

On this episode, Dan Neumann joins me to discuss how a government shutdown will affect our industry for the short term. Dan is the Vice President of Government Relations for the ACMA. He has twenty years of experience in policy work, government relations, media, and data analysis. 

Also, don't forget to put Feb 26-28 on your calendar. This will be the next ACMA Composites Fly-In. It will provide a unique setting to meet with Members of Congress and agency leadership to educate them on the valuable capabilities of composites and further open markets.

You can learn more by visiting https://acma-org.my.site.com/flyin2024. 

This week, Colin Mackinnon of PPSS Group joins me on the podcast. Colin is a specialist consultant in PPE options, workplace violence and staff security.

PPSS Group is an internationally recognized firm specializing in the development and supply of high-performance personal protective equipment, clothing, and workwear, offering protection from edged weapons, blades, hypodermic needles, blunt force trauma, and bites. 

Their stab vests body armor is made from an ultra high-performance carbon fiber composite, offering fully certified, operationally sound, and thoroughly field-tested levels of protection from edged weapons.

You can learn more about them, by visiting their website at www.ppss-group.com. 

This week David Morgan, the chief strategy officer at Carbon Rivers joins me to discuss their upcycle programs in the wind energy, automotive, marine, construction, and glass fiber markets. 

Based in Knoxville, TN Carbon Rivers is the only company in the world that can upcycle glass fiber and provide clean, mechanically intact glass and composite intermediates for various OEMs. They are also the only company in the world that supplies and deploys pristine graphene nanoplatelet flakes for a variety of global industries. 

This technology company is dedicated to sustainable, green circular economies. 

Instead of incineration, landfill, or aggregate in other materials, Carbon Rivers reclaims glass fiber from a variety of production and end of life waste streams in order to provide clean, high-quality glass fiber. 

You can learn more about their technologies by visiting them at www.carbonrivers.com. 

On this episode Dr. Rigoberto Advincula joins me on the podcast to discuss some of their work research on using image-driven machine learning (ML) to optimize the thermo-mechanical properties of 3D Printed Composites. 

Dr. Advincula is a Governor's Chair Professor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee. He is the Group Leader of the Macromolecular Nanomaterials Group at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences(CNMS), ORNL. He was a Full Professor (now Adjunct) at Case Western Reserve University. 

You can read more by visiting https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359836823004614?dgcid=coauthor. 

On this episode, Wagner Paglia of BlueWind Technology joins me to discuss their company and one of the recent milestones they achieved - manufacturing 1,500 nacelle covers in 40 months with just one set of molds. 

Based in Pensacola, FL, BlueWind is a fast-growing company that specializes in manufacturing composite materials for applications with high technical requirements, such as those present in wind power generation, agricultural and petrochemical industries. 

The 1,500 nacelle covers produced by BlueWind were part of a contract signed in late 2019 with GE Renewable Energy. 

Made of composites through the infusion process, nacelle covers house such critical wind system components as the wind turbine generator, gear box, brake, and controller. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://bluewindtechnology.com. 

On this episode, Zach Sinz of Stoner Molding Solutions joins me. Known for superior performance and consistent quality, Stoner has been helping manufacturers mold more parts in less time since 1942. Every Stoner formulation is designed to optimize your production process and significantly improve your bottom line.

Stoner’s brand portfolio offers solutions for any molding process. If you can mold it, they can release it. They manufacture molding solutions for the thermoplastics, polyurethanes, composites, rotational, rubber, fiber, and investment casting industries.

You can learn more by visiting www.stonermolding.com. 

On this episode, I share an interview with Nick Santhanam, author of the best-selling book, The Titanium Economy. While silicon valley tech companies tend to dominate today's news headlines, many of the fastest-growing, most profitable companies in the United States are firms you’ve likely never heard of.

These booming companies belong to a burgeoning sector—industrial tech. This sector offers surprising hope to workers, consumers, and investors alike. You'll hear Nick explain why the future of America's industrial economy is bright. 

On this episode, I welcome Kyle Jordan to the show. Kyle is the new director of certifications with the ACMA. Their CCT program supports professional development and facilitates uniform training and technical skills. It’s the only certification program of its kind in the industry.

This program is completed online and provides enrollees with all the resources needed to succeed in becoming a Certified Composites Technician. 

You can learn more by visiting acmanet.org and going to “education hub”. 

If you have questions about CCT training you can email Kyle at kjordan@acmanet.org.

On this episode, Alvin Ericson joins me to discuss GFRP rebar technology and the growing advantage in the infrastructure market.

With a long and costly history of corrosion worldwide, steel is no longer viewed as a cost-effective option in aggressive environments. Many governments and businesses can no longer afford the short or long-term costs associated with black steel. Placing unprotected, rusty re-bar in new concrete structures is being eliminated in many parts of the world. 

Alvin is an independent technical consultant in North America specializing in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) and fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) systems. Since 1988, he's been introducing new reinforcing technology to the precast concrete market. 

We'll be discussing some of the latest GFRP technology, that includes the GBar, GWall, and GBolt. You can learn more by visiting https://www.gbar-gbolt.com. 

This week Peter Hedger, of Composite Applications Group joins me as co-host as we welcome Martin Mclaughlin to discuss the Implosion of OceanGate’s Titan and Aerospace Certification Methods. 

There has been a lot of speculation that the submersible implosion was due to the composite cylinder fatigue after repeated dives. On this episode, we'll be discussing the best practices for the design, development, and certification of a modern composite shell for deep-sea applications. 

Martin has 22 years of experience in tactical aircraft and B-2 development; 17 years of space transportation systems development, with experience in advanced composite structures and composite cryogenic propellant tanks.

He's the founder of McLaughlin Aerospace LLC and has been involved in accident investigations during his career. 

On this episode, Nick Ciparro joins me on the podcast.

Nick is the Chief R&D scientist at Carbon Rivers, a company that develops and commercializes technologies such as:

Nick has s super interesting story to share of how he got into the world of advanced materials and composites. 

On this episode, we feature an interview with Joannie Harmon at IACMI's annual member meeting discussing workforce education. IACMI has made workforce education and development a pillar of its mission, along with composites R&D and commercialization.

You can learn more by visiting https://iacmi.org/workforce. 

On this episode, Scott Lewitt of Structural Composites Inc. joins me to discuss a newly installed composite bridge in Tennessee that they've developed, and how this structure is being used to showcase sustainable solutions for aging infrastructure.

This FRP bridge replaces a decades-old concrete crossing which, like many rural bridges across the nation, was rated structurally deficient and outdated. 

The University of Tennessee and the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) partnered with Morgan County, TN, and Morgan County Highway Superintendent Joe Miller to create an affordable bridge that can be installed quickly and will safely meet transportation needs

You can see this bridge by visiting https://compositebridge.org. 

On this episode, Tobi Ferguson, CEO of Magnum Venus Products, joins me at the IACMI Member Meeting to discuss their new $20 million expansion. 

Magnum Venus Products (MVP), a global manufacturer of fluid movement and production solutions for industrial applications, is expanding its footprint and capabilities with the purchase of this new facility and land in East Tennessee. 

This expansion will enable MVP to increase its manufacturing velocity and meet customer demand.

Tobi will be sharing the details of this new facility as well as MVP's mission moving forward as a solutions provider for the composites industry. 

You can learn more about MVP by visiting https://www.mvpind.com. 

On this episode, Haley Marie Keith, the CEO of Mito Materials joins me during IACMI's annual member meeting. MITO’s technology is the “first and only” process to functionalize substances like graphene oxide and biomaterials—creating hybrid additives that give fiber-reinforced composites and thermoplastics lab-verified improvements in strength, durability, flexibility, and sustainability.

Their technology can be integrated into a variety of production processes, including:

You can learn more by visiting https://mitomaterials.com. 

On this episode, regular guest Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me to discuss the topic of industry consolidation. We explore the impact of mergers & acquisitions on the future of composites. 

Over the past year, we have seen monumental shifts and transformations, with particular emphasis on the flurry of mergers and acquisitions that have created a seismic shift in our industry's landscape.

The composites industry has been, for decades, a critical player in driving technological advancements and sustainable solutions across multiple sectors, from aerospace to automotive, construction to wind energy. It has been the unsung hero behind numerous innovations, providing the raw materials that enable us to push the boundaries of what's possible.

But, like any sector in the global market, the composites industry isn't immune to the forces of change. In an era defined by digital disruption, geopolitical tensions, and environmental challenges, businesses have had to adapt and reinvent themselves. The rapid rate of consolidation through mergers and acquisitions is a testament to these forces at play.

But what does this mean for the future of our industry?

Today we’ll try and dissect the nuances of these mergers and acquisitions, and assess their potential impact on our industry's future. 

Some sources we'll refer to are below:  https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insightsnew/chemicals/changing-face-ma

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/de/Documents/energy-resources/gx-global-chemicals-ma-outlook-2023.pdf

https://compositesmanufacturingmagazine.com/2022/02/84417/

On this episode, Brian Fitzgerald, the CRO at Augury joins me to discuss how A.I. is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry with its ability to predict machine and equipment failure, enhancing efficiency and reducing downtime costs. 

Augury is a Billion manufacturing tech company that is unlocking production capacity, predictability, and sustainability while transforming how manufacturing teams work. 

You can learn more about Augury by visiting https://www.augury.com. 

This week, Jesus Zozaya and James Pickard of Voltera join me on the show to discuss the future of additive electronics and how it is revolutionizing so many industries - including composites. 

Votera, is a company that makes rapid prototyping platforms for printed electronics — from traditional circuit boards to the flexible, stretchable, conformable, and biocompatible electronics of tomorrow. The best and brightest minds are using Voltera's NOVA platform to push the boundaries of innovation - boundaries that are only limited by your imagination. 

On this episode, they’ll be sharing some of the applications their printing technology is being used for – from simple solutions like an induction coffee mug heater to self-heating carbon fiber composites for UAV Wings. 

You can learn more about their technology, as well as connect with their experts for questions by visiting https://voltera.io/cw. 

On this episode, Alex Corrêa, CEO of Gerdau Graphene joins me to discuss some of the exciting work their company is doing with graphene to revolutionize industries such as coatings, concrete, elastomers, polymers, and lubricants to name a few. 

This Brazilian nanotechnology company Gerdau Graphene, specializes in advanced graphene-enhanced materials for industrial applications.

They have recently announced the commercial availability of two new additives specifically formulated for waterborne paints and coatings. The two new additives also deliver excellent coverage, durability, and washability while also minimizing the overall environmental impact, reducing or eliminating the need for some traditional manufacturing inputs, additives, and processes, thus also lowering production costs.

We'll be discussing these latest developments and some of their applications. 

You can learn more by visiting https://www.gerdaugraphene.com/en.html. 

This week, I welcome Dr. Liron Nesiel to the show. She is the CEO of Smart Resilin, a company that is setting out to change the plastic narrative. Using Resilin, a super-performing protein originating from insects, they are using genetic engineering techniques to extract the DNA and tailor-fit the protein for a variety of use cases and produce it at a very large scale.

Having near-perfect elasticity and resilience, Resilin is the most elastic material on earth and can be implemented within a wide range of products such as elastic adhesives, sports goods, composites, 3D printing, and more.

As it is a non-toxic bio-degradable protein, these resilin-based products are environmentally beneficial game changers for multiple applications.

Their mission is to bring nature’s wonder materials to the industry - offering realistic, super-performing, green, and safe materials for a variety of applications.

You can learn more about their work at https://www.smartresilin.com. 

This week Shannon Schutt, the marketing director at Research Casting International joins me on the podcast to discuss how 3D printing is being used to recreate missing pieces of prehistoric dinosaurs.

Founded back in 1987, RCI is one of the world's largest providers of Museum Technical Services, which include specimen restoration, casting, mounting, exhibit fabrication, and transportation. 

They are capable of creating museum exhibit projects and commissions of any size and complexity. 

With the addition of their 3D printing lab, they can now recreate incomplete or missing pieces of specimens and most recently have been expanding their foundry to reproduce dinosaurs, and other specimens, first in a castable 3d printed resin and then in bronze. 

On this episode, Shannon will discuss some of the interesting projects they've been involved with. You can learn more about their work by visiting https://rescast.com. 

This week I welcome Nick Castelucci to the show. Nick is the managing partner at Prestige Tooling, based out of Elkhart, IN. Nick and his team have over 25 years of experience in mold making with over 6,000 completed molds. 

On this episode, he'll share some of the history of their company, as well as some of the industries they serve. 

Their company is also one of the first mold makers in North America to bring in a cutting-edge new additive manufacturing 3D printer. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://prestigetooling.com. 

This week Andrew Polkewaldt joins me again along with Dustin Troutman, the corporate director of marketing and product development at Creative Pultrusions, Inc.

Creative Pultrusions, Inc. (CPI) is the worldwide leader in pultrusion manufacturing with a commitment to continuous process improvement. They specialize in pultruding large custom pultrusion profiles, while utilizing high-performance resins in combination with our proprietary high-pressure injection process.

We'll be highlighting the Creative Composites Group of companies as well as some of the work the team at CPI has been involved with. 

Dustin will also be presenting at this year's North American Pultrusion Conference in Chicago, IL May 16-18. This conference will bring together 200+ industry leaders, customers, OEMs, and suppliers from around the world for an unparalleled, three-day education and networking event in the heart of downtown Chicago. 

You can learn more about the conference and register by visiting https://acma-org.my.site.com/pultrusion2023. 

This week Cary Martin, VP of research & technology with Hexcel for global fibers joins me to discuss Hexcel's new Center of Research & Technology Excellence in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

The 100,000-square-foot building is home to a state-of-the-art laboratory where company scientists and researchers collaborate with customers on the latest composite technology developments for aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. 

This new center is the company’s largest center for innovation and product development in North America. It showcases the company’s advanced composites technology, providing space for future growth and expansion in the years ahead.

On this episode, Cary will be highlighting some of the capabilities of this new facility that include a general lab, a prepreg lab, a chemical lab, an analytical lab, and a microscopy Lab. 

You can more at https://www.hexcel.com. 

On this episode, Eric Pierrejean and Thomas Lepretre join us to discuss JEC, and JEC World 2023. Eric is the president and CEO of JEC and Thomas is the JEC World Director. 

JEC World is the only global trade show dedicated to composite materials and applications.

It gathers the whole value chain of the composite materials industry in Paris every year and is “the place to be” for composites professionals from all over the world.

This event brings together not only all major global companies but also innovative startups in the field of composites and advanced materials. 

My guests will be sharing not only the background and mission of JEC, but some of the highlights of this year's show. 

On this episode, Scott Stephenson joins me to discuss SAMPE 2023 taking place next week in Seattle, WA. Scott is the director of strategic initiatives and events at CompositesWorld, and also president & acting CEO of SAMPE North America. 

This show is where the advanced materials community comes together for face-to-face meetings, top-level education sessions, and panels led by the industry’s leaders and innovators. Scott will be sharing some of the events happening at this year's event. 

It's never too late to register. You can do so by visiting https://www.sampeamerica.org.  

This week, I welcome Adam Harms to the show. Adam is the managing director at Ruhl Strategic Partners and one of the founders of Modulus, a new Social Community that is 100% dedicated to the Materials Industry.

This new platform will offer a more focused materials network experience away from LinkedIn that allows deeper engagement, and industry advancement.

Adam explains that one of the reasons for the developing Modulus was to cut through the networking noise and provide access to a more focused audience year-round within a dedicated community and connect with industry leaders, access curated content, and collaborate in focused industry groups. If you are a composites and advanced materials professional, and just want to stay better connected, you can join Modulus by visiting https://www.onmodulus.com. 

This week I welcome Fadi Abro, the global director of transportation at Stratasys. 

Stratasys provides complete polymer 3D printing solutions for every stage of the product life cycle, across design, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Fadi is responsible for leading the Automotive Vertical for Stratasys in North and South America. His focus is on providing 3D printing solutions to customers throughout this segment. 

With the world increasingly turning to EV’s for transportation, 3D printing has become an attractive solution for manufacturers.

Fadi will be discussing one of the key advantages their technology is offering to automotive manufacturing today, particularly the EV market - the ability to produce complex, custom parts quickly and cost-effectively. This can be useful for low-volume production runs or for creating one-off prototypes and new concept models.

You can learn more about Stratasys, particularly their focus in the automotive sector by visiting https://www.stratasys.com/en/industries-and-applications/3d-printing-industries/automotive. 

This week Peter Hedger of Composite Applications Group and Anthony Vicari of Cleantech Group join me on the show to discuss the role of composite materials in the EV market. 

On this episode, we'll have an in-depth discussion of the future of electric vehicles and battery technology and where the opportunities are with composite materials. 

Peter is vice president of business development at Composite Applications Group, a company that has an extensive network of Composite technologies and materials and works to connect manufacturing companies to the necessary supply chain to bring their innovation dream into reality. 

Anthony is a Consultant Manager at Cleantech Group. He has completed projects for global corporations across geographies and industries to understand the details, implications, and trends in emerging technologies, and to develop adoption and investment strategies, in order to grow their businesses while achieving their sustainability and emissions reduction goals.

This week I welcome Johanna Reiland on the show. Johanna is an engineer, innovation consultant, and circular economy expert based out of Barcelona, where she works for Bax & Company, a leading European sustainable innovation agency.

On this episode, Dr. Susan MacKay joins me to discuss her work at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. Her responsibilities include managing operations and R&D programs with a particular focus on Additive Manufacturing programs. 

She has 25 years of experience in materials chemistry, product development, and manufacturing at both large corporations and early-stage companies. 

Prior to joining UMaine, she was the founder and CEO of Cerahelix, Inc. where she led the commercialization of their ceramic nanofiltration technology based on a patented DNA ceramic nanotechnology coating.

We'll be discussing some of the ongoing research around bio-based materials in additive manufacturing as well as ASCC's BioHome3D - the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. 

The BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The 600-square-foot prototype featured 3D-printed floors, walls, and roof made of wood fibers and bio-resins. This house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values.

Construction waste was nearly eliminated due to the precision of the printing process.

UMaine is a world leader in forest-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) technology, including nano- and micro-cellulose reinforced thermoplastic composites through its Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

You can learn more about the work by visiting https://umaine.edu/biomaterials. 

On this episode, we'll be discussing the topic of employee retention in the composites industry. 

Industry expert and technical trainer Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me for the 1st part of the show to discuss how some companies are incentivizing employees. 

On the 2nd part of the show I interview Lisa Ryan, author of the book Thank You Very Much: Gratitude Strategies to Create a Workplace That ROCKS!

On this episode, Dan Neumann joins me to discuss the ACMA’s Infrastructure & Sustainability Fly-In that's taking place in Washington DC this week(Feb 15-16). Dan is the Vice President of Government Relations with The ACMA, and he'll be filling us in on some of the activities and meetings from day one.

This week, I welcome Mike Graham on the show. Mike is the founder and president of Real Carbon, a composite engineering company with a long history of high-quality work. 

Through 35 years of industry experience, they've helped their clients design custom carbon fiber products for all types of applications. These include the consumer, industrial, marine, medical, military, musical, recreational, and UAV industries.

Mike Graham is a chemist with a passion for all things composites related. He is originally from St. Andrews in Scotland and moved to the US in 1987. 

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://realcarbon.com. 

On this episode, Ben Gibbons of Circular11 joins me to share how their startup company is turning plastic waste into low-carbon building products that outlast and outperform traditional building materials. 

In the UK, 75% of plastic goes to waste, and a significant reason for this is the cross-polymer contamination that is an inseparable part of the recycling system. 

The mixture of plastics, and the range of chemicals in them, means that manufacturers can't achieve consistent product characteristics, and therefore don't buy the waste streams.

The team at Circular 11 has developed a process control system that dynamically adjusts our own sets of composite formulations to achieve a consistent, high quality output from low-grade variable inputs. 

They currently manufacture and sell products to validate the technology, and will then license the process control system to other manufacturers, enabling the wider polymer processing sector to use low-grade plastic as a functional feedstock.

You can learn more about their company by visiting https://circular11.com. 

This week Jeff Bassler, founder of Prodigm joins me on the podcast. Prodigm is a premier maker of production-focused filament winding controls and software solutions. 

On this episode, Jeff will share some background of their company and a recent case study of helping Duoline Technologies improve their process. Duoline produces RICEWRAP®, a protective wrap of fiberglass epoxy externally applied and bonded to steel pipe for external corrosion protection on downhole tubing.

The team at Duoline had challenges with the current filament winding equipment used to produce this product line. Using Prodigm's open platform CNC controls and software installed on their filament winding fiberglass tubular product line Improved the quality of their parts. 

Jeff started Prodigm back in 2008. Having over 13 years of experience in controls and software engineering already, Jeff was completely intrigued by the possibilities offered by filament winding different laminate structures and started developing the first algorithms.

Now, 13 years later, having customers across the continental US, Prodigm's primary focus has not changed. Getting a machine running is one thing; tailoring it to run for their customer's specific wants is the most rewarding part. 

They've contributed to the manufacture of light poles, composite rifle barrels, ductwork, rocket fuselages, rocket fuel tanks, oil well-lining systems, and lightweight robotic arms—to name a few! You can learn more about their company by visiting www.prodigm.net. 

This week Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me on the show as we discuss some of the expanded applications for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CMCs are widely used in the aerospace and energy sectors but their ability to be used in extreme conditions (high heat) makes them attractive for other industries as well. 

On this episode, I welcome Lucas Grimes and Arthur Kaplan on the show. Their company Imperium was born out of the desire to optimize the way energy is purchased. Using the power of AI and automation, they help manufacturing companies cut out the hidden fees and tell you the best time to buy.

The energy that fuels the composites industry and mfg operations throughout the US is a significant cost. Their new predictive artificial intelligence (AI) platform helps manufacturers lock in the lowest energy rates at just the right time.

On this episode, we'll be discussing how their technology is helping companies in our industry. 

You can learn more by visiting https://thisisimperium.com. 

On this episode, we feature an interview with Jen and Chris Hudak. They are the founders of Escapod, a fabricator of lightweight teardrop camper trailers and one of the fastest-growing manufacturing companies in the US. This company started back in 2016 out of a garage and now has over 70 employees. 

This week Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me for the final podcast episode of 2022. We'll be discussing some of the Best Innovations in Composites for 2022. In our discussion we'll reference some of the 2022 JEC Composites Innovations Awards finalists. 

On this episode, Weslee Washington and John Kehoe of Boaz Partners join me to discuss some of the work they do for their business partners in the composites industry. Boaz Partners is an executive recruitment firm providing companies with custom recruiting solutions in specialty chemicals and advanced materials markets. Their expertise is a result of a niche-specific approach which allows them to be specialists in this industry.

Their name “Boaz Partners” refers to Ruth’s husband Boaz in the Old Testament who was known for his swiftness, integrity, and transparency. These characteristics provide the pillars of their firm’s service. Weslee John will be discussing the history of the company as well as the unique approach they take in finding the top industry talent for their clients. To learn more about their company visit https://boazpartners.com. 

This week Dr. Roberto Lopez-Anido joins me on the show to discuss their research in structural thermoplastics and smart materials.

Dr. Lopez-Anido has more than 22 years of experience in the areas of mechanics of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for construction, durability analysis of composite materials, advanced experimental methods for composites, composites manufacturing, rehabilitation of civil infrastructure, design of composite structures, and structural health monitoring. He is a research leader in FRP composites at UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, and has produced 60 journal publications, 89 conference publications, one book, and six patents.

On this episode, we’ll be discussing the next generation of environmentally sustainable structural thermoplastic composites that save energy, reduce waste, and allow for making parts faster, cheaper, and more reliably.

This week I welcome Douglas Gardner on the show. He's the professor and program leader of sustainable materials technology in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. He's also a member of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and Forest Bioproducts Research Institute.  

His research, teaching, and service activities focus on polymer and interfacial science aspects of wood-polymer composite materials. 

He is also involved in research in the areas of adhesion and surface science, cellulose nanocomposites and extruded wood plastic composites, and additive manufacturing.  

This week, Bryce Anzelmo joins me on the show. Bryce is the director of product development for Lyten, an advanced materials company that invented Lyten 3D Graphene™.

3D Graphene™ is a platform of materials that has the potential to enable breakthroughs in energy storage, composite systems, and chemical & passive sensors.

Composite system improvements enabled by Lyten 3D Graphene include increased strength and stiffness, decreased weight, as well as improved thermal and electrical properties. Lyten multifunctional composites are designed to deliver the optimal combination of these attributes for various polymer and metallic alloy systems.

When formulated into their advanced Lithium-Sulfur battery chemistry for electric vehicles, it will deliver higher energy density, lower battery weight, and the lowest carbon footprint of any EV battery.

On this episode, Bryce will be discussing their composite systems as well as the LytCell™. It uses graphene™ to “cage” the sulfur in the battery, leading to a higher-performance battery that will have up to 3X the energy density, and enables vehicles to more than double the driving range vs. traditional EV batteries.

You can learn more about the company by visiting them at https://lyten.com. 

On this episode, Andrew Pokelwaldt joins me as he does each month to discuss ways to improve quality control. Andrew is the director of certifications for the ACMA and also a manufacturing training consultant. It's always great to catch up with Andrew each month as he shares process improvement takeaways from his time spent in manufacturing plants. 

On this episode, we feature some interviews from day 2 at CAMX 2022. We start off the show with interviews with Scott Lewitt and his team at Structural Composites. 

We'll also be talking with Anvesh Gurijala, CEO of Boston Materials, Witt Doolittle of Stoner Inc., Anoosheh M. Oskouian of Ship & Shore Environmental, and Marcos Vidal of Dorfner Composites.