INDEPENDENCE, Ohio—The ACS Rubber Division opened its Spring Technical Meeting on April 27, with participation in-person but also virtually from around the globe.
For many attending the meeting in Independence, it was the first in-person event. But the Rubber Division made sure those not ready to travel could take part digitally, as it offered the meeting as a hybrid event. In fact, a number of the presenters gave their technical papers remotely.
The event opened with a keynote address from Seiichi Kawahara of the Nagoka University of Technology, who presented his talk via Zoom from Japan.
The first day also included the traditional 25 Year Club Luncheon, with Don Stryffeler of Polymer Consultants Inc. winning the countdown with his 55 years of experience in the rubber industry.
Technical presentations filled out the rest of the day one schedule, along with an opening night reception for in-person attendees.
The hybrid meeting continues April 28 with another full day of presentations, including from those receiving the Science & Technology Awards from the Rubber Division. Adel Halasa of the University of Akron was set to give memorial address in honor of Charles Goodyear Medalist Nissim Calderon of Goodyear, who died in February 2020.
Honorees at this meeting were supposed to be recognized in 2020, but that meeting was canceled because of the pandemic. This year's winners will be recognized at the International Elastomer Conference this fall in Pittsburgh.
The meeting concludes April 29 with a full day of technical presentations.
