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2007 ASC 22nd Technical Conference Recap – University of Washington, Seattle

By Navid Zobeiry, Communications Editor, American Society for Composites, Last updated: May 3, 2025

The 22nd Annual Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites (ASC) was held from September 17–19, 2007, at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. The conference was chaired by Prof. Paolo Feraboli (University of Washington) and Dr. Patrick Stickler (Boeing 787 Technology Integration).

Supported by The Boeing Company and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the conference focused on the theme "Composites: Enabling a New Era in Civil Aviation", emphasizing the critical role of composites in the future of aerospace structures.

Over 300 attendees participated in the conference, with more than 160 technical papers presented across a wide range of topics, including advanced analysis methods, manufacturing and processing, bonded joints and repairs, nanocomposites, and emerging technologies. A special honorary session was also dedicated to Dr. T. Kevin O'Brien, recognizing his contributions to the composites field.

For more details, you can access the program and list of papers below:

Plenary and Invited Highlights

  • Boeing Commercial Airplanes – Keynote address on the role of composites in next-generation aircraft.
  • Air Force Research Laboratory – Research priorities and future vision for aerospace composites.
  • Adam Aircraft – Innovations in composite aircraft manufacturing and design.
  • Bentley Motors – Application of composite technologies in high-performance automotive structures.

Special Sessions and Activities

  • Panel Discussion: Evolution of Aircraft Composites – Industry leaders shared historical perspectives on composite materials development in aviation.
  • Panel Discussion: Future Challenges for Aircraft Composites – Representatives from industry and regulatory bodies discussed upcoming challenges in certification, manufacturing, and adoption of composites.
  • AFOSR Workshop: Processing of Multifunctional Composites – Sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, focusing on advancing manufacturing capabilities for multifunctional composite structures.

Awards and Recognition

  • ASC/DEStech Award: Dr. Alan Miller (Boeing 787 Technology Integration)

By the Numbers

  • Over 300 attendees
  • 160+ technical presentations
  • Multiple plenary sessions and two major panel discussions
  • 1 special AFOSR-sponsored workshop
  • Honorary session dedicated to Dr. T. Kevin O'Brien

Organizing Committee

  • Conference Co-Chair: Prof. Paolo Feraboli (University of Washington)
  • Conference Co-Chair: Dr. Patrick Stickler (The Boeing Company)
ASC/DEStech Award Presentation to Dr. Alan Miller

Dr. Alan Miller (Boeing 787 Technology Integration) receives the ASC/DEStech Award, accompanied by Prof. Paolo Feraboli, Dr. John Quinlivan, and Dr. Patrick Stickler.

References

  1. Feraboli, P., & Stickler, P. (2009). 22nd Annual American Society for Composites Technical Conference, September 17–19, 2007, University of Washington, Seattle, WA: ‘Composites: Enabling a New Era in Civil Aviation’. Journal of Composite Materials, 43(5), 401–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998308097687