Composites Weekly

On this episode, Brittany Greer, executive director of Rosie Riveters, joins the podcast.Their organization works very closely with the manufacturing industry with a particular focus on preparing the workforce of tomorrow. They work to close the gaps in today's workforce by increasing participation in STEM, fostering critical thinking and problem solving skills.  Brittany is a guest writer for The AI Journal and we'll be discussing their work in preparing the the gneration of workers with the skills needed to succeed alongside AI.   

On this episode, Joe Steele of LIFT joins the podcast to share some recent news. Their organization has been awarded a contract to accelerate the development of ceramic-based materials for use in industrial and defense applications. This new four-year, $9 million "Critical Materials Processing" program will advance the state of technology and readiness for ceramics, ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), and ultrahigh-temperature materials. LIFT is an accelerator connecting advanced materials, manufacturing processes, systems engineering and talent development enhancing America's manufacturing competitiveness, national economy, and security.    

On this episode, Cindy Squires joins me to highlight Composites Evolution taking place October 22-23 in Knoxville, TN. This event brings together leading manufacturers, suppliers, and technical experts to explore practical, profitable solutions to the EPA's new styrene regulations. This focused, forward-looking conference will show you how to turn compliance into a competitive advantage – boosting efficiency, improving processes, and unlocking new market opportunities. You can learn more by visiting https://acmanet.org/event/composites-evolution. 

On this episode, we'll be featuring several interviews from day two at CAMX 2025, including:  Max Thouin of Fairmat discussing FairPly Recycled Technology. 0:21 Mike Siwajek, VP of R&D at CSP discussing their ultra-lightweight TCA Float™: 5:47 Yannick Willemin, founder of Catalysium: 10:39 Imad Atallah, VP of Product Management at Hexcel Corporation: 19:31 David Leach, SAMPE Fellow & Co-chair of the CAMX Conference: 35:34 Jacob Clark of ReForm Composites Engineering: 43:38  

On this episode, we'll be featuring several interviews from CAMX 2025, including:  John Kehoe of Boaz Partners: 2:24 Paul Salach discussing SUSTAINA® Loop by Owens Corning: 12:04 Gary Owen, CEO of Lineat Composites Limited: 18:54 Russell Gentry, Professor of Architecture and Civil Engineering at GA Tech discussing the Monogirder BladeBridge: 23:39 Matthew Hardman discussing Loop Technology's FibreLINE system: 30:45 Mark Adams of Polynt Group and Dr. Wayne Huberty from Mississippi State University discussing accelerated composite manufacturing using CRTM and 3D-printed thermoset tooling: 38:45 Bryan Beimel of Pulflex Technologies: 51:52 Dr. Moutushi Dey discussing AI in Manufacturing:  58:46 Monica Rommel of Specialty Materials and Chantel Camardese of Toray Advanced Composites discussing the Hy-Bor® technology: 1:07

On this episode, Cindy Squires and Rebekah Stacha join me to talk about CAMX 2025, taking place in just over a week down in sunny Orlando, FL (Sep. 8-11). You can still register by visiting https://www.thecamx.org. 

On this episode, Jamey Embree and Ken Bisconer from L&L Products join us to discuss their work in bringing L&L's extensive expertise to solutions for the aerospace, construction, sporting goods, and emerging mobility industries.  L&L is well-known in the automotive space for developing innovative solutions that help OEMs create lighter, stronger, and quieter vehicles, but they also provide high-performance solutions for Aircraft interiors, electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOL), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), including drones. On this episode, we'll be discussing three products L&L will be highlighting at CAMX in Orlando next month. They will be located at booth Q45 on the exhibit hall at CAMX.  These new products include:  PHASTER® : A proprietary two-component ambient temperature curing technology with superior adhesion performance and processing ease, in various indoor or outdoor application conditions. https://phaster.llproducts.com/ Continuous Composite Systems ™ (CCS™): Continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials that can be used as a carrier when combined with our highly engineered sealants and/or structural adhesives. The system is designed to provide strength, stiffness, and rigidity to a lightweight structure. https://ccs.llproducts.com/ InsituCore®: a family of one-component, heat-activated foaming materials that can be used to create composites with a foam core. Placed in a heated tool, the material foams to fill the mold cavity and form net-shape parts without time-consuming machining processes or energy-intensive autoclave operations. https://insitucore.llproducts.com/    

On this episode, Brian Fitzgerald joins the podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the factory floor by predicting machine and equipment failures before they occur—boosting efficiency, increasing production uptime, and cutting downtime costs. Brian is the Chief Growth strategist at Augury, a manufacturing technology leader valued at over $1 billion. Their platform is helping manufacturers unlock greater production capacity, improve operational predictability, and advance sustainability, reshaping the way manufacturing teams operate. More information is available at www.augury.com.

On this episode, Edward Crawford, and Rick Armstrong of Coltala Aerospace join me to discuss Evans Composites' accelerated growth in aircraft repair operations under Coltala Aerospace.  Evans Composites has experienced transformative growth this past year, powered by Coltala Aerospace's precision integration strategy. This momentum has brought alignment and strength to Evans, driving significant gains in operational performance, scalability, and customer experience.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.coltalaaerospace.com.   

On this episode, Dr. Michael Ponting joins the podcast to talk about his work on nanolayered metamaterials and polymer nanocomposites. Dr. Ponting is the chief science officer at Peak with over 20 years of experience in micro and nanolayered polymer materials.  His work has enabled breakthroughs in everything from high-temperature capacitors and night vision optics to sustainable packaging and ballistic materials. You can learn more about their technology at https://www.peaknano.com. 

On this episode, Harrison Langley, CEO of MDLR Brands, joins the podcast to discuss their core technology: LiteSIP®, a proprietary, ultra-lightweight panel system made from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) skins bonded to high-performance foam cores. Their panels deliver unmatched strength, insulation, and resilience, outperforming traditional SIPs, wood framing, and metal panels. You can learn more at https://www.litesip.com. 

Dan Neumann joins the podcast to discuss last week's Composites Fly-In in Washington DC. This event provided a unique setting for members of our industry to meet with Members of Congress and agency leadership and educate them on the capabilities of composite materials. 

On this episode, Justin Hamilton of Hexcel will share some of the latest news regarding their partnership with JetZero to qualify composite materials for a new "all-wing" design aircraft demonstrator. They are advancing this partnership through the FAA's Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) program, qualifying composite materials for JetZero's all-wing design aircraft development program. The Z4 is the world's first all-wing design commercial airplane. This design produces greater lift and reduces drag, resulting in up to 50% better fuel efficiency than comparably sized tube & wing aircraft.

This week, Mark Stiving joins us on the podcast. Mark is the author of the recent book Selling Value: How to Win More Deals at Higher Prices.  In the last 25 years, Mark has consulted, trained and/or coached hundreds of companies, including Cisco, Procter and Gamble, Grimes Aerospace, Splunk, and Crowdstrike. Today, he works regularly with PE firms, helping their portfolio companies increase profits and drive valuation by learning how to price, package, communicate, and sell value. Mark's passion is teaching the power of pricing. He evangelizes pricing at major conferences and has conducted over 400 days of corporate training around the globe. Mark's Price class maintains a net promoter score (NPS) of 81, higher than Apple's. His podcast, Impact Pricing, maintains a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts. You can learn more about him by visiting https://impactpricing.com/markstiving. 

On this episode, Kyle Jordan and Steve Kane join the podcast to discuss some updates on SpaceTEC® Partners' new Florida training facility and its role in preparing the next generation of composite technicians. Kyle is the director of certifications for the ACMA and Steve is the executive director of SpaceTEC® Partners.  SpaceTEC® Partners offers Aerospace, Aviation, and Advanced Manufacturing skills validation for the U.S. defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing sectors, certifying technicians employed in civil, defense, and commercial organizations worldwide.  You can learn more by visiting https://spacetec.us. 

On this episode, Professor Shu Yang and Alicia Ng of the University of Pennsylvania join me on the podcast to discuss their latest research work. Their team has successfully developed a cutting-edge method to 3D print cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), opening the door to dynamic, color-changing materials that can respond to mechanical stress. This work paves the way for groundbreaking applications in smart sensing, displays, and robotics. At the heart of this advancement are CLCEs – soft, rubbery materials capable of changing color when subjected to mechanical stress. Shu Yang is a materials scientist and Professor of Engineering and Applied Science and Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.  Alicia Ng is a Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and is the lead author of this study. You can learn more by visiting https://shuyang.seas.upenn.edu. 

On this episode, Dr. Davood Askari joins the podcast. Davood, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University, leads a research team that has created a breakthrough nanocomposite material. Engineered to significantly enhance the strength, durability, multifunctionality, and performance of lightweight structures, this innovation has broad applications across industries. Their patent-pending technology offers a scalable solution to one of the most persistent challenges in composite design: strengthening weak interlaminar bonds.      

On this episode, John Kehoe of Boaz Partners joins the podcast to talk about their specialized approach to finding qualified candidates for their clients.  Boaz Partners is an executive recruitment firm providing companies in the composites and advanced materials industry with custom recruiting solutions.  Their partners and consultants have extensive experience working in a broad array of functional areas and have also developed unique expertise in recruiting for these types of firms and roles.   

On this episode, Vinit Chaudhary, founder of Elemental Composites, joins the podcast. Elemental Composites specializes in fabricating non-woven intermediates for composite industries. Their innovative process consists of two distinct stages: (1) Unique Mixing: This process involves the deagglomeration of fiber bundles and the uniform mixing of various types of fibers.  (2) Dry-laid Technique: The mixing stage material is utilized as feedstock material to transform into nonwoven preforms.  Vinit earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He brings five years of experience in designing and manufacturing advanced composites to his role, where he focuses on product development and expanding technology applications.   

On this episode Pascal Gallo, co-founder of Composite Recycling joins the podcast to discuss a major sustainability collaboration to push the boundaries of circularity in the marine industry. Industry leaders such as Composite Recycling, Arkema, Groupe Beneteau, Veolia, Owens Corning, and Chomarat have joined forces to revolutionize boat manufacturing with a circular economy model.  For the first time, boats can be built using recycled and recyclable materials. This pioneering collaboration to achieve circularity in boat production, launched in Western France, offers a scalable model for composite sustainability.