ADVANCED MATERIALS

 The history of material science can be reviewed from its conception in Paleolithic period, through the emergence of metallurgy at the dusk of Neolithic period to the current age of polymeric composite materials. High strength and light weight remain the winning combination that has propelled composite materials into new arenas. From supersonic aircrafts to sport cars and from bullet trains to tennis rackets, composite materials are increasingly being used in engineering industries for their structures that are stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminum. Breakthroughs in synthesis of polymer chemistries have led to development of highly tailored application oriented materials. As polymeric composites with superior physical and mechanical properties are being developed, optimization of their processing techniques is eagerly being sought. Thus the scope of activities on advanced materials will focus on polymers, composites, nano composites and their peripheral fields with specific emphases on their characteristics, synthesis, design, manufacturing, processing and testing. 

A paradigm shift has been observed in materials sciences from traditional materials i.e. metallic, polymeric, ceramics and composites to a revolutionary role of developing nanostructured, multi functionalized, self-assembling and self-healing materials. These novel materials will create breakthroughs that will enable technology developments that are barely imaginable today. This is made possible by integration of composites with sensors, actuators and microprocessors on micro, meso and nano levels. Carbon fibers may be coated with piezoelectric materials for sensing purpose in order to synthesize a smart composite material having microprocessor controlled distributed actuator. This activity will also address processing, identification and characterization of nanomaterials with specific emphasis on their engineering applications.

As the structural complexity of various classes of materials increases, their coupling with coatings, ceramics and special alloys becomes more and more inextricably intertwined. The topics of special interest under the scope of subject activity also include 3D carbon-carbon composites, coatings, ceramics, surface and heat treatment processes of special alloys and related aspects in above mentioned fields.

CONTROL & SIMULATION

Control engineering is the science of manipulating engineering systems for optimal performance in real-operating environments. Control engineers are concerned with mathematical modeling, simulation, design and implementation. The field is, therefore, multi-disciplinary and covers a range of technologies. Control systems are seen at work in small and simple household appliances like temperature regulators and washing machines, large-scale industrial plants such as steel rolling mills and refineries, very sophisticated and complex systems such as an aircraft, nuclear reactors and satellites. Control systems technology has thus have driven the engineers to operate their systems at the peak of their performance without compromising on system stability or integrity. The advent of cheap but high performance microprocessors has added a new dimension to the capability of control systems. Efficient digital controllers have alleviated the need for expensive instrumentation and costly components, contributing towards cheaper but quality productivity and performance.

Simulation techniques have matured into becoming an indispensable part of the engineering design process and have helped application of innovative control algorithms in industry. Breakthroughs in semiconductor electronics have made computer simulation a widely used and indispensable tool in the modern day design cycle. Simulation finds are used in a range of applications such as operator and pilot training, verification of control algorithms, and study of behavior and dynamics of complicated systems such as the stock market.

In this conference; technical papers are sought on latest advances made in control and simulation technologies. Papers of interest include those that describe theory, analytical techniques, applications, and technological developments in the field. Topics expected to be covered in this activity are:

CONTROL:

• Control Theory Analysis and Design

• Intelligent Control

• Autonomous Control

• Multi-sensor Data Fusion, Tracking and Control

• Autonomous and Unmanned Systems

• Aerospace Guidance and Control

• Mission Control and Operations

• Diagnostics and Fault-Tolerant Control Systems Design

SIMULATION:

• Simulation as an Engineering Design Tool

• Distributed Simulation Technologies

• Hardware in the Loop Simulation

• Launch and Orbital Systems and Simulation

• Monte Carlo Simulation Techniques and Applications

• Self-Organizing Adaptive Simulations

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (UAV) and Simulation

• Training and Motion Simulators

• Artificial Intelligence Simulation Techniques and Applications

 Special Session: DSP ALGORITHMS AND Applications

The field of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) has evolved from basic time signals and processing tools to diverse applications in telecommunications, image and video, speech and acoustics, automotive, sonar, biomedical, seismology, home appliances, and computer vision. The advances in computer technology and integrated circuit fabrication have fuelled this growth in DSP.

The special session under the Control & Simulation activity will emphasize essentially two areas:

• DSP Algorithms and Techniques

• DSP VLSI Implementation and Applications

Researchers and designers are invited to present and discuss theoretical results and practical experience on topics related to, but not limited to, the following:

• DSP Algorithms

• Image and Multi-dimensional (video) Signal Processing

• Pattern Recognition

• Computer/Machine Vision

• Neural Networks

• Process Monitoring

• Statistical Signal Processing

• DSP on Generic Reconfigurable Fabric (e.g. FPGA)

• Efficient Implementation of DSP Algorithms on Embedded Systems

• ASIC Implementation of DSP Algorithms

• Real time Operating Systems issues regarding DSP Algorithms

FLUID DYNAMICS

Applications of fluid flow play an important role in nature, various man-made equipments, processes of aerospace, automotive, civil, defense, electrical engineering, power and process industries. Information about the structure of the flow in a process or an apparatus can be obtained from measurements in experimental test facilities or from flow visualization studies. However, there are some limitations and a full picture of flow fields is often hard to obtain in this fashion. Fluid Dynamics (FD) is a technique to model fluid flow using a computer simulation.  Due to  the growth  of  powerful  computers  and  the development of general-purpose software packages, FD techniques can be applied to solve industrial flow problems especially in complex flow situations of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. The FD codes include, among others, effects of heat and mass transfer and a range of physical and chemical models.

The 8^th IBCAST will provide an opportunity to the local and foreign researchers to exchange their ideas, discuss their queries and problems in this specific field with the experts and to explore the new areas.  

The scope of the present IBCAST, FD – 2010, session is to cover the following areas:

• Fluid Structure interactions

• Turbulence Modeling

• Aerodynamics

• Gas Dynamics

• Hydrodynamics

• Industrial and Environmental Fluid Dynamics

• Multiphase flows

• Reactive flows

• Experimental Fluid Dynamics

• Heat Transfer

• Thermal Hydraulics  

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION & RADAR

The Radar and Wireless Communications chapter primarily focuses on the engineering domains that stem from propagation of electromagnetic energy in free space. It may be the most commercially blooming field of Wireless Communications or the relatively restricted avenue of Radar Engineering. The core technologies supporting these fields are Microwave and Antenna Engineering. Papers, depicting original work, are invited for the areas related to (but not limited to) the following:-

• Radar performance measurement

• Radar Signal Processing

• Clutter modeling & Cancellation

• Tracking and identification

• Cellular Communication Systems

• Channel Modeling

• Wireless Networks

• Ultra Wide Band Systems

• Reconfigurable Front Ends & Systems

• Software Defined Radios

• Millimeter and Microwave Circuits and Systems

• Millimeter and Microwave Devices

• Field Analysis and Guided Waves

• CAD Techniques

• Waveguide & Planar Structures

• Power Amplifiers

• Phased Array Antennas

• Smart Antenna

• Beam Forming

• Planar & Discrete Antenna

• Multimode Antennas

• Spatial Power Combining

UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS

Ocean is alive with noise and approximately 71% of the earth surface is covered by the ocean. The advancement and research in the filed of underwater acoustic has a great impact in human life and his zeal to explore the nature. The applications of underwater acoustics spans over a wide range which includes communications, navigation, positioning systems, sonar, oceanography, offshore oil and gas activities and has ever increasing role in defense applications. Research areas like marine life preservation, seafloor geological resources and marine pollution hazards etc are of significant importance for Pakistan which has more than 1000kms of coastline.

The Underwater Acoustic chapter of IBCAST provides opportunities for spread of information, exchange of knowledge and novel ideas among the practitioners of various branches of underwater acoustics.

The Underwater Acoustic chapter of the 8^th IBCAT-2010 invites contributions in all areas of underwater acoustics with a focus on applied technologies. 

• Sonar Systems

• Transducer and Array Technology

• Underwater Acoustical Measurement and Instrumentation

• Calibration

• Ambient Noise

• Underwater Acoustic Modeling

• Underwater Acoustic Signal Processing

• Array Signal Processing

• Adaptive Beam forming

• High Resolution Spectral Analysis

• Automatic Target Tracking

• Transducer Materials

• Underwater Communication Systems

• Acoustic Imaging & Real Time Displays

• Telemetry

• Fiber Optic Systems

• ROV’s and UUV’s

• Acoustic Data Fusion

• Underwater Navigation and Positioning Systems

• Marine Surveys

MEDICAL SCIENCES

The evolution of Medicine was long and a reflector of improvements in human reasoning and objectivity. From the reflex and intuitive efforts of a cave-man to conserve life in the face of injury and disease to Hippocrates the father of modern medicine will today in the era of great technologies such rapid advances have occurred and especially in the last two to three decades that it is difficult to keep pace with all of them.

An array of drugs to deal with infections and other diseases, research in mental health problems, pill endoscopy in gastroenterology, organ transplants with increasing number of organs on the list.

Diagnostic services such as Computerized Axial Tomography Scan (CAT Scan) has itself made great strides with new technologies like 64-slice CT scan, FLAIR, Diffusion scanning and much more coming up rapidly. Similarly Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologies. DNA analysis and genetic testing has given new dimensions and new horizons for research and treatment to medicine.

Ongoing research and development includes artificial blood, artificial skin, have traveled from laboratory to market shelf and an array of artificial organs are in the pipeline of research. Most recent hot and controversial topic of today is stem cell research with many proponents and opponents, this field has a wide range and unexplored dimensions.

The main responsibility of the medical professionals of today is to keep abreast of all this knowledge and technology and practice medicine on the basis of evidence. For those in research it is imperative that they strike a balance between the science and art of human body and should not loose the sight of forest in search of a tree.