ANTEC 08: There are a lot of interesting talks this year but what I found interesting was the shift in the carbon nanotubules from how you make them a few years ago to the problems and challenges of making materials containing them and the effects they have on final properties. A lot of stuff using SPM and AFM too.  Cool stuff.



The picture is of a raven and bear playing lacrosse - I forgot the tribes we have some blood from were found this far west of the NE.  In fact, I think this was once called the Northwest Territories. It was a suprise to see this sitting in the corner of the convention center. Lacrosse is just beginning to make inroads into Texas; its still pretty much a New England sport in most people's minds.  For Ben, we went to Bill Bradley's for the bratwurst served with some local beer I can't pronounce.  It was pretty good. I'll try and get him some of the Ursinger's brats if I can. And a cheesehead hat for his brother - I know he wants one.

On Tuesday, I attended talks on more nano-composites and on polymers from renewable resources. While not getting the attention of ethanol (don't get me started), its nice to see people are making significant inroads into replacing polymers. (I keep telling people polymer and petrochemicals, not fuel, are the scary things, but it's like being Cassandra in Troy.) Later, I got to give out an award to the Composite Division for student research. That's really one of the best parts of the trip.