Cell Adhesion in Nanotribology with Aracely Rocha

In this episode, we talk to Aracely Rocha, who has been doing research in the field of nanotribology for biological applications. Her focus has been on how materials at various scales interact with biomolecules. She has tried to quantify this interaction through adhesion. In a paper, Aracely and her co-authors posit that "measuring cell adhesion has become critical for design and development of materials and devices for biological applications." Her work could impact a number of biological applications, including improving the life of artificial joints, or the efficiency of drug delivery. To listen, click the play button in the slider bar above, download the episode, read or translate the transcript here for more on this exciting work. Below, you can see a snapshot of her work.

In addition to her work in the field, Aracely is involved in many different ways as a student member of STLE. Most recently, Aracely participated and received the Gold Level award in the Student Poster Competition at the 2011 Annual Meeting, for her work "Protein Adhesion to TiN and CrN Coatings." To see a full list of the award winners, click here. Aracely has also been a Program Session Chair at a previous STLE Annual Meeting and is now involved with her University's newly formed student chapter. Getting involved has its rewards. Become a student member today!

Tribochemistry and Nanoscale Surface Interactions in Nanotribology with David Huitink

In this episode, we discuss the interesting and growing field of nanotribology from a PhD student's perspective. David Huitink attends Texas A&M and is active in STLE. Most recently, he founded the Texas A&M University Chapter of STLE and served as its President in 2010. Listen as David discusses his work: using nanoscale contact to study friction and tribochemical reactions. This involves studying the chemical and interfacial reactions taking place at the nanoscale as a result of friction and contact forces.

To experience the interview, click the play button in the slider bar above, download the episode here, and read or translate the text version of the interview here.

Visit our website for more information about nanotribology. For more on David, you can read his winning Student Poster Abstract that was submitted at the 2010 STLE Annual Meeting and later published in TLT. You can also visit the Liang research group website by clicking here.

New offering: AEM/STLE Webinar

This month, AEM and STLE are working together to provide a webinar to both of our audiences. As a bonus, this webinar is offered for FREE as a preview for future events, so take advantage while you can!

Event Details
Title: Compressibility of Liquids
Date/Time: Thursday, June 30, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Presenters:

Dr. Ashlie Martini, Purdue University

Dr. Scott Bair, Georgia Tech

Length: 90 minute presentation, with 15 minute Q&A built in
Hosted by AEM, using GoToMeeting
Topics covered:

1. What is compressibility and why do we need to be able to characterize it for tribological applications?


2. The equations of state used to describe compressibility


3. Experimental techniques for measuring compressibility


4. Pros and cons of the traditional approach


5. Introduction of molecular dynamics simulation of liquid compressibility


6. Comparison of model-predicted and experimentally measured compressibility


7. Differences between bulk and thin film compressibility


8. Pros and cons of the new approach, and future directions

Register HERE - and enjoy!

Registration Now Open for June's Webinar, Focused on Sales

Join STLE and Jerry Kennedy for June's webinar, which will focus on ways to streamline your sales process. Jerry writes the Selling Points column for TLT, which has featured a focus on this need to get to "no." You can view his latest contribution and get a preview of the webinar content by reading the article here. You can also see the event flyer for more information. See below for an overview of the event.

What: Getting to No - 5 Steps to Streamline Your Sales Process and Make Sales Faster and More Frequently

Who: Jerry L. Kennedy, Inside Out Business Solutions
When: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central, with 30 minute extended Q&A from 1-1:30 p.m.
Where: STLE University, broadcast to your computer

Abstract: If the ultimate goal of every salesperson the world over is to get that coveted yes in the form of a signed deal, then why does Jerry Kennedy want you to learn how to get to no faster and more often? Because the faster you can get your prospects to tell you no, the sooner you can move on to working with prospects who can and will say yes! In this webinar, you'll learn how to:

• Remember that "no" really means "not now"...and what you can do about it


• Get more prospects to tell you "no"...and why that's a good thing


• State your intentions and get an honest answer from your prospects


• Ask better questions to make sure that your prospect should be buying what you're selling


• Know when to say "no" to your prospects...and why it's critical to do it


• Avoid getting sucked into the "maybe" game by your prospects
  

Today's world of information overload and rapid-fire decisions, knowing how to get to "no" faster and more often is one of the most important skills a sales professional can master.

Register today to learn this vital skill! The registration deadline is set for Monday, June 20, 2011. Please note that there is limited space available, so register soon to ensure your participation. If you register after the deadline, there may not be space available. While viewing the STLE Store listing, click "Add to Your Products" to purchase. Price: $39 for members; $59 for non-members. Course cost includes reading and/or reference materials, presentation slides, a recording of the event, the Q&A Session Summary, and access to the assessment, which allows you to earn Education Credits (ECs), which may be applied in the recertification process. For more information, please click here.

We hope to see you at the event. If you have any questions, please contact us at (847) 825-5536 or at klemar@stle.org.

In Search of: The Perfect Biodegradable Lubricant, continuing the discussion started in TLT

In this episode, we talk to Lou Honary, Professor and Director of the UNI-NABL Center in Waterloo, Iowa. He sheds some light on his contribution to the article appearing soon in the June issue of TLT, called "In Search Of: The Perfect Biodegradable Lubricant" by Jean Van Rensselar. Our conversation is part of the overall discussion started by the article, but takes it down a different path, including a discussion on the labeling system used by the USDA for biobased products.

Find out where the conversation goes by clicking the play button above, or by clicking here to download the episode, or you can read the transcript. You can get more information about Lou by viewing his profile. You can also peruse our website for more information about the subject. Keep an eye out for the article in the June issue, which is available online here at the beginning of June, and available in your mailbox! Update: TLT is unveiling a new cover, and some new features in the digital version - see if you can spot the changes!

Have an opinion on the subject? Leave us a comment below to take part in the discussion.

Micro- and Nanoscale Phenomena in Tribology with Dr. Yip-Wah Chung

The newest episode of The STLE Compass features an interview with Dr. Yip-Wah Chung who has just recently finished his book, Micro- and Nanoscale Phenomena in Tribology.

The book presents the fundamentals of micro- and nanoscale phenomena associated with the tribological interface, and is based on presentations given at the NSF Summer Institute on Nanomechanics, Nanomaterials, and Micro/Nanomanufacturing. Each chapter features a different author on their subject of expertise. Listen to the interview to find out more about the book and the man who contributed to and organized the book. Click on the slider bar to play the episode in your screen, download the episode to your desktop, or read the transcript. To explore more about the book's content or topic, visit our website.

For more on Dr. Chung, you can visit Northwestern's website. For more on the book, visit the publisher, CRC, at their website. The book is targeted for release in October or November of this year, so watch for it in the coming months. Don't forget to check out the STLE Store when the book is released to get your discount code for being an STLE member!

Dr. Chung is a published author, and you can get more information on his other book, Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering here. Dr. Chung will be attending the Annual Meeting next week, giving you an opportunity to meet and talk with him and the other authors. You can see who is going by viewing the Registration List on our website.

Register by May 10: Panel Discussion on Current Issues in Wind Energy Tribology

Good news! This year's Annual Meeting will feature a new and unique opportunity:

A panel discussion on Current Issues in Wind Energy Tribology will take place at the Annual Meeting, and was originally scheduled to be broadcast only from the AM in the form of a webinar. Many attendees requested that this opportunity be made available to those attending, and now, it is!

On May 17, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), whether you are at your office or attending the Annual Meeting, you can take advantage of this special presentation.

The cost to attend is $39 for members and $59 for non-members. Whether you attend online or on-site, you will have post-event access to the event recording and event materials including presentations slides, reading materials, and the Q&A Session Summary.

Register now to ensure you get a seat to this unique event! When registering, make sure you choose the correct product - either "Attend Online" or "Attend Onsite." To attend onsite, you will need to have your receipt to enter the event. This presentation is not included in Annual Meeting registration, and as such, you must register separately, and the deadline is fast approaching. The registration deadline is set for May 10, 2011. Register by that date to ensure your participation in the online or onsite event. You may not be able to attend if you register after that date. See the product listing for more information about registration.

For more information on the panel comprised of six well-renowned professionals or the event itself, you can view the flyer here.

Condition Monitoring with Jack Poley

In this episode, Jack Poley, Technical Director for Kittiwake-Americas, describes his view of the Condition Monitoring field and provides some information on the CM Education Course that will be given at the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting.

Listen to hear what Jack has to say about the course - providing you with an inside look at the course itself, including: course instructors, the intended audience, topical coverage and some helpful tips that you can apply in your work. The course includes four modules:

• Why Condition Monitoring with Chad Chichester, Dow Corning


• Basics of a CBM Program with Evan Zabawski, FluidLife


• Oil Analysis Tests and Data Evaluation with Jack, CMI


• Failure Modes and Data Integration with Allison Toms, GasTops

Click the "play" button on the slider bar to play the episode in your screen, or if that doesn't work, you can click here to play or download the episode. If you prefer, you can read or translate the interview transcript by clicking here. Visit our website for more information on condition monitoring, this and other education courses, and the 2011 Annual Meeting, which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. Jack writes a bi-monthly feature on Condition Monitoring for TLT, so make sure you check out the last issue. TLT is a wealth of information, as you can see from these previously published articles:

• CM - The Land of Acronyms


• Oil Analysis: Past, Present & Future: Part I


• Oil Analysis: Past, Present & Future: Part II

Remember, STLE has a depth and breadth of knowledge and resources on a variety of topics, and our website is always a great place to start your search.

Learn About Grease with Chuck Coe

In this episode, Chuck Coe, Owner/Founder of Grease Technology Solutions LLC, discusses grease and the Annual Meeting Education Course, Grease 101, which covers basic grease concepts. This course is held jointly with NLGI, the National Lubricating Grease Institute.

Chuck is the Education Course Committee Chair for STLE, the Vice President of NLGI, and the Technical Committee Co-Chair for NLGI. He holds both the NLGI CLGS and the STLE CLS designations. For this course, Chuck will teach the first module, which offers an introduction and background on greases, to be followed by instructors covering many topics including: base oils, grease manufacturing, grease testing, grease selection, applications, and problem solving. If you deal with greases, you will hear why this course is one you cannot afford to miss.

Click the "play" button (triangle shape on the right) on the slider bar to play the episode in your screen, or if that doesn't work (due to security settings or computer configuration), you can click here to either play or download the episode. If you prefer, you can read the transcript by clicking here. If you download the text, you will be able to translate it for your use.

You can visit our website for more information on grease, this or other education courses, and the 2011 STLE Annual Meeting. To get some background information before the course, you can read the TLT article, "Understanding Grease Construction and Function." If you have questions, you can contact us at information@stle.org.

Your Personal Tour Guide to Atlanta, Georgia

In this episode, Art Vogel, Treasurer and Committee Member of the STLE Local Section in Atlanta, provides a personal tour of his city and offers some travel tips, places to visit and even good restaurants where you can get authentic Southern cooking. To listen to what Art has to say, click play on the slider bar above, or click on this link to download the episode. You can also read the transcript here.

In the episode, Art mentions several places, and you can check them out for yourself by visiting their websites:
Places to eat:

• Pitty Pat's Porch: authentic Southern cooking


• Nikolai's Roof: French cuisine, reservations highly suggested


• The Varsity: world's largest drive-in, retro decor

Places to visit:

• Stone Mountain Park: one of the largest masses of exposed granite; one of the 7 Wonders of Georgia. Has a train, boating, hiking, golf courses, and a large sculpture


• Inside CNN Tour: get an inside look at CNN and its operations at its world headquarters


• The World of Coca-Cola: try different, global versions of Coke at this unique attraction


• Atlanta Cyclorama: a 3-D panorama that depicts the Civil War Battle of Atlanta

Don't forget to register for the Annual Meeting! For more ideas on what to see, where to go, and how to save money, you can visit Southern Hospitality Savings, which has some discounts on local attractions. Visit our website to register and explore the Annual Meeting details, including more information on activities and events you can attend while in Atlanta. We hope to see you there!

If you are looking for solid business reasons to attend the Annual Meeting, you can read: A Business Case for STLE's Annual Meeting written by STLE's Director of Professional Development, Robert Gresham. The Annual Meeting is a great networking event, and will propel your company and your career. It's not all business, though. You can have a little fun while you are in town, so take full advantage of everything the 2011 Annual Meeting has to offer!