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Special Interest Groups (SIGS)

Accessing New Knowledge in Materials 

Materials Australia originally was formed as the ‘The Australian Institute of Metals” in 1941.  Over the last 60 years the there has been significant changes in society and the materials we use in everyday products. Our membership is also very diverse and includes academics, researchers, physicists, chemists and engineers, managers and business owners. Common interests are developed by all our members as many are skilled and experienced people involved in the production, development and application of materials. All are seeking new knowledge and innovation to allow them to succeed in their own careers.

The combined knowledge of those individuals and their interests is always a powerful asset for a professional association and it is through Special Interest Groups that Materials Australia captures the ideas, experiences and breakthrough in innovation we pass onto to our members as new knowledge.


Structure of Special Interest Groups

The following Special Interest Groups are available depending on the levels of interest they include but not limited to:

  • Nanostructured materials
  • Additive and Digital Manufacturing
  • Automotive materials and their applications
  • Alloys
  • Biomaterials
  • BioNano
  • Cements/geopolymers
  • Ceramics
  • Characterisation Techniques
  • Composites
  • Computational Materials Science
  • Computer simulation and modelling
  • Corrosion Prevention
  • Electronic, Photonic and Magnetic Materials
  • Energy storage materials
  • Engineering polymers and blends
  • Functional nanopores
  • Glass Science
  • Heat Treatment
  • Instrumentation
  • Joining Processes
  • Light Metals
  • Materials for Energy and The Environment
  • Metallurgy
  • Mechanical/Thermal Properties
  • Microscopy
  • Nanostructured materials
  • Non-destructive testing
  • Nanotechnology 
  • Processing Technology
  • Plastics
  • Pressure Equipment 
  • Polymers
  • Patent Law
  • Raw materials
  • Spectroscopy
  • Steel
  • Structural Health Monitoring
  • Surface Engineering
  • Sustainable materials
  • Technical Innovations in Steels
  • Thin films and functional materials

How do Special Interest Groups Work?

If you are a member of Materials Australia you can become a member of as many special interest groups simply by accessing the members only website through the log on member section.

Click on your Special Interest and this information will be stored in our database.

Special Interest groups will be formed when there is a common interest of 20 members or more.

Certified Materials Professionals (CMatP) may be nominated to lead their particular SIG and Materials Australia may allocate a special Materials website or wiki to enable interaction between other members throughout Australia.  CMatPs leading or participating in SIGS may accrue professional development points.


Special Interest Group Symposiums

Advanced Special Interest Groups will be invited to develop a program for a national one day symposium relating to their particular interest.  These SIGS would formally meet during these symposia and the event would be offered to other members and non members to attend. The symposium will be presented as a combination of the leading edge thinking of members in that particular interest.


Location of Special Interest Groups

It is important Materials Australia is able to facilitate the interest of our members throughout Australia. However, there may a be stronger interest in one geographical area than another. State governments may also find it attractive to assist in the maintenance of a SIG in their region. In this case Materials Australia will encourage a physical presence in that region, but will ensure the engagement of our members nationally is maintained.


How do I join a Special Interest Group?

If you are a member, just log into the member website and indicate with a tick on the appropriate box next to the SIG you would like to join. If there is a SIG interest you have identified and it is not listed, just tick “other” and detail the interest. We will contact you if there are other similar interests amongst members to warrant establishing a special interest group.  Please note a condition of joining is that your email and name may be provided to other members within that special interest group.

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