Featured Stories
Optica: Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
WASHINGTON, July 30 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release:
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Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
Researchers replaced field-deployed mirrors with reflections from common surfaces, thus enabling fast, long-distance detection of hazardous aerosols in real-world environments
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Researchers have developed and tested an infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect chemical aerosols from a distance by using the light reflected from common surfaces such as traffic signs, tree trunks or painted surfaces. The
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WASHINGTON, July 30 [Category: Medical] -- Optica, formerly the Optical Society, posted the following news release:
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Spectroscopy system detects aerosols using everyday surfaces
Researchers replaced field-deployed mirrors with reflections from common surfaces, thus enabling fast, long-distance detection of hazardous aerosols in real-world environments
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Researchers have developed and tested an infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect chemical aerosols from a distance by using the light reflected from common surfaces such as traffic signs, tree trunks or painted surfaces. Thenew method could make it possible to detect hazards without complicated instruments, helping improve safety and easing operations at industrial sites, public venues and other high-risk locations.
"Previously, many remote chemical detection systems have relied on placing a mirror or other highly reflective target in the field to bounce the laser signal back to the detector, which isn't practical in many real-world situations," said research team leader Tim Johnson from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "Our approach eliminates that requirement by using reflections from ordinary surfaces, allowing us to detect aerosolized chemicals from a distance without installing specialized equipment at the target location."
In the Optica Publishing Group Applied Optics, the researchers report results from laboratory tests using reflected infrared laser light from different surfaces. They showed that many non-metallic surfaces could be used for aerosol and vapor detection at standoff distances of up to 11 meters.
"The ability to detect aerosols or vapors from tens of meters away without complex equipment could improve safety in a wide range of settings, from protecting workers and military personnel to detecting chemical spills and monitoring facility perimeters," said Johnson. "For example, it could be used at large sporting events or concerts to help identify an accidental or intentional chemical release before it reaches the crowd."
Caption: Researchers developed a new infrared spectroscopy system that can rapidly detect dangerous chemical aerosols from a distance by using the reflectance from common surfaces such as painted surfaces.
Creating a practical spectral system
When hazardous chemicals are released into the environment, they often exist as aerosols -tiny liquid droplets or solid particles suspended in the air. Although infrared spectroscopy can be used to identify the chemical composition of aerosols, this analytical technique is difficult to implement outside the laboratory.
One of the biggest obstacles to using infrared spectroscopy in the field is the reliance on mirrors to reflect the light back to the instrument, thus enabling detection. Even when there is access to position a mirror, maintaining stable optical alignment is challenging, and mirror surfaces can quickly become scratched or dirty, degrading performance.
The researchers developed a method that eliminates the need for such mirrors by allowing the laser to be pointed at everyday surfaces. The reduced reflectivity is partially compensated for by using high-power lasers and software that parses noise in the data to ultimately detect the reflected light at the detection system. Another key innovation was an infrared laser/telescope system that automatically adjusts the outgoing laser beam for different standoff distances while efficiently collecting the returning light, maximizing the amount of signal that reaches the detector.
"Even if they aren't 100% reflective like a new mirror, many surfaces offer substantial reflectivity," said Johnson. "Our approach makes it possible to use these surfaces to generate enough optical signal for the spectrometer to detect an aerosol chemical plume in the path of the laser beam."
As part of the work, the researchers characterized the reflectivity of almost 50 common materials such as siding, wallboard, traffic signs, tree bark and car panels. They found that certain sidings and traffic signs offered higher reflectivity, compared to other materials tested.
Aerosol chamber testing
To evaluate the new method, the researchers constructed an aerosol chamber where they could generate aerosols with well-characterized particle sizes and chemical compositions, including chemical mixtures.
They used the chamber to test their new method with a subset of the reflective surfaces they previously characterized. They analyzed several different aerosols, including diethyl sebacate, a stand-in for hazardous chemicals, and calcium carbonate, which is found in rocks like chalk and mineral limestone. In each case, the system successfully detected and identified the aerosols despite differences in chemical composition and surface reflectivity.
Next, the researchers plan to evaluate the method using aerosols with broader distributions of particle sizes and increasingly complex chemical mixtures. These more realistic scenarios produce more complicated infrared spectra, making chemical identification more challenging. The team expects that artificial intelligence and machine learning may help analyze these complex spectral signatures and improve detection performance.
This work is part of the Pursuing Intelligent Complex Aerosols for Rapid Detection (PICARD) program, an initiative by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) to develop advanced sensing platforms that rapidly detect dangerous chemical aerosols in challenging, real-world environments.
Paper: T. Johnson, D. Cancino, J.D. Erickson, Z.M. Comstock, T.L. Myers, C. A. Kendziora, R. Furstenberg, S. B. Pilkington, R. M. Levine, S. H. Pullins, M. D. Melendez, A. R. Luxon, J. M. Mueller, D. E. Hunka, D. S. Alburty, D. J. Radke, "Aerosol and Vapor Detection via Infrared Laser Reflectance from Common Surfaces: All That Shimmers is Not Gold," Applied Optics, 65, XXXX (2026).
DOI: 10.1364/AO.604722
About Applied Optics
Applied Optics publishes in-depth peer-reviewed content about applications-centered research in optics. These articles cover research in optical technology, photonics, lasers, information processing, sensing and environmental optics. Applied Optics is published three times per month by Optica Publishing Group and overseen by Editor-in-Chief Peter Andersen, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark. For more information, visit Applied Optics.
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Original text here: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2026/spectroscopy_system_detects_aerosols_using_everyday_surfaces/
NWTF Biologist Leads Longleaf Partnership Council for 2026
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, July 30 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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NWTF Biologist Leads Longleaf Partnership Council for 2026
Halfway through his term as Chair of the Longleaf Partnership Council, Ricky Lackey, district biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation, continues to bolster partnerships, align strategies and implement innovative solutions to move the needle forward for longleaf pine restoration across the Southeast.
"Knowing that the NWTF was one of the founding members of the council, it is an honor to have been elected chair
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EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, July 30 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
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NWTF Biologist Leads Longleaf Partnership Council for 2026
Halfway through his term as Chair of the Longleaf Partnership Council, Ricky Lackey, district biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation, continues to bolster partnerships, align strategies and implement innovative solutions to move the needle forward for longleaf pine restoration across the Southeast.
"Knowing that the NWTF was one of the founding members of the council, it is an honor to have been elected chairthis year to continue what we set out to do from the get-go, bringing concerned and motivated groups, agencies and individuals to the table to help restore the longleaf pine ecosystem," Lackey said. "The council provides a platform for a broad range of partners from the local to federal level to align strategies and develop innovative solutions and application. Much of the NWTF's on-the-ground accomplishments for longleaf ecosystems is a result of the council."
Since 2017, the NWTF has helped conserve and enhance over 1.1 million acres of longleaf pine across public and private lands through a variety of practices, including prescribed burns, tree-plantings, creating landowner restoration plans, invasives species removal and more.
Longleaf pine ecosystems once dominated the Southeast, extending from Virginia to Florida and expanding as far west as eastern Texas. Today, however, estimates show that America's longleaf pine ecosystem encompasses about 5% (5.2 million acres) of its historic range and is highly fragmented. Thus, the importance of partnerships working on a landscape-scale to restore these vital ecosystems cannot be understated.
Burned, open longleaf-dominated forests offer a patchwork of habitat for wild turkeys, including an herbaceous understory for nesting and brood-rearing cover, while also providing areas with shrubby cover for concealment against predators.
"A well-managed longleaf pine forest is top tier for wild turkeys," Lackey said.
In addition to the NWTF's efforts on a national level -- such as the Habitat for the Hatch Initiative, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation partnerships and other private land initiatives -- the NWTF's grassroots volunteers are involved in the cause and directly tie their efforts to the landscape-scale work. Many Southeastern NWTF state chapters dedicate their Super Fund dollars -- funds NWTF volunteers help raise -- back into active forest and fire management projects that enhance longleaf pine ecosystems, such as multistate longleaf implementation teams and The Nature Conservancy's Fire Management Program, to name a couple.
Many of these partnerships stem from collaboration found at the table of the Longleaf Partnership Council.
"Lately, a priority for the council has been to better understand the shifting economic markets in the Southeast," Lackey said. "Mill closures in the South over the last year and a half, or so, have introduced uncertainty for landowners and forest industry partners. Because of this, the LPC has stood up an Economics and Markets Working Group to focus on developing strategies that address market volatility, explore new opportunities and ensure that economic sustainability aligns with ecological outcomes. In addition, the LPC has recently developed and established a monitoring plan to better track our progress and accomplishments across the range."
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About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to create healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.
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Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/nwtf-biologist-leads-longleaf-partnership-council-for-2026
[Category: Animals]
Kingston International College Appointed CompTIA Delivery Partner to Develop Day-one-ready Talent for the AI Economy
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, July 30 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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Kingston International College appointed CompTIA Delivery Partner to develop day-one-ready talent for the AI economy
Partnership brings globally recognised industry certification training to Singapore's workers
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Singapore - Kingston International College (KIC) today announced its appointment as a delivery partner for CompTIA, the world's leading vendor-neutral IT certification body. As delivery partner, KIC will provide official CompTIA certification training in Singapore, preparing learners for globally
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DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, July 30 -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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Kingston International College appointed CompTIA Delivery Partner to develop day-one-ready talent for the AI economy
Partnership brings globally recognised industry certification training to Singapore's workers
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Singapore - Kingston International College (KIC) today announced its appointment as a delivery partner for CompTIA, the world's leading vendor-neutral IT certification body. As delivery partner, KIC will provide official CompTIA certification training in Singapore, preparing learners for globallyrecognised credentials in AI, cybersecurity and technology.
The partnership comes at a moment of unprecedented workforce disruption. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, 59 out of every 100 workers globally will require reskilling or upskilling by 2030, as 170 million new roles are created and 92 million displaced by technological change. Singapore is not exempt: an NTUC survey found 47% of Singapore workers recognise the need to upskill in the face of AI disruption, and the national push for lifelong learning through SkillsFuture reflects the urgency of preparing workers for AI-augmented roles.
The partnership is designed for two groups most exposed to this disruption: working professionals who need to upskill as AI transforms their roles, and fresh graduates who need industry-recognised skills to secure their first role. In a market flooded with AI training of varying rigour, a CompTIA certification cuts through the noise. It gives workers independently verified evidence of in-demand skills that strengthens their job security, and gives graduates what a transcript alone cannot: employer-trusted proof that they are ready to perform from day one.
"The question every learner and every employer is asking is the same: how do I know this person can actually do the job?" said Joshua Chong, Chief Operating Officer of Kingston International College. "CompTIA certification answers that question. It is a mark of trust that employers around the world recognise. Whether you are a mid-career professional protecting your relevance or a fresh graduate competing for your first role, that trust translates directly into job security and opportunity. Our graduates walk in on day one ready to contribute, not ready to be trained."
"As AI reshapes the workforce, continuous learning is essential. Through our partnership with Kingston International College, CompTIA is helping learners gain globally recognised, industry-validated skills that enable them to upskill, reskill, and succeed in the digital economy," said Stanley Wong, Regional Director, Singapore, CompTIA.
The partnership supports KIC's mission of developing day-one-ready talent: graduates who combine technical competence, verified skills, and workplace readiness. It also strengthens KIC's growing portfolio in AI and cybersecurity education.
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About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.
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Original text here: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/about-us/news/press-releases/Kingston-International-College-appointed-CompTIA-Delivery-Partner-to-develop-day-one-ready-talent-for-the-AI-economy/
[Category: Computer Technology]
Independent Petroleum Association of America: Energy Permitting Reauthorization Clears Key Senate Hurdle
WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The Independent Petroleum Association of America issued the following news release on July 29, 2026, with Western Energy Alliance:
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Energy Permitting Reauthorization Clears Key Senate Hurdle
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and Western Energy Alliance today welcomed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's approval of legislation to extend a successful program that funds oil and natural gas permitting activities on federal lands, bringing Congress one step closer to preventing its expiration later this year. The License to Drill Act
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WASHINGTON, July 30 -- The Independent Petroleum Association of America issued the following news release on July 29, 2026, with Western Energy Alliance:
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Energy Permitting Reauthorization Clears Key Senate Hurdle
The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) and Western Energy Alliance today welcomed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's approval of legislation to extend a successful program that funds oil and natural gas permitting activities on federal lands, bringing Congress one step closer to preventing its expiration later this year. The License to Drill Act(S. 5039/H.R. 7831) to reauthorize the Permitting Project Improvement Fund (PPIF) was passed with unanimous and bipartisan support by the committee.
The PPIF directs the fees paid for drilling permits by oil and natural gas producers to priority Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices to support leasing, permitting, inspections, and other energy-related duties. The legislation was first introduced by Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan in June. In the Senate, Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) recently introduced the companion bill.
The associations urge Congress to complete passage before the program expires in September and emphasize the importance of maintaining support for federal employees responsible for managing energy development on public lands.
"S. 5039 reauthorizes a long-standing policy that is an important framework for federal land producers. IPAA has championed this concept since its origins in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and proudly testified in support of the bill during its committee hearing earlier this year," said Dan Naatz, IPAA EVP and Chief Policy Officer. "The PPIF program has garnered bipartisan support in both the Senate and House in previous reauthorizations as the concept is sound - industry pays its own way. Extending the program preserves an industry-funded permitting system with a fee that is indexed to inflation, designed to improve agency resources and reduce permitting delays. We applaud Chairman Lee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's leadership, and we urge the full Senate to move this legislation forward expeditiously."
"Energy development depends on a permitting system that has the resources to function efficiently. The Permitting Project Improvement Fund ensures that the fees paid by producers on public lands are reinvested into the permitting process and the federal workforce responsible for administering it. This legislation helps ensure those offices have the resources they need to do their jobs," said Melissa Simpson, president of the Alliance. "Allowing the program to expire would disrupt funding for field offices that play a critical role in managing energy development on federal lands. We appreciate the leadership of Sen. Mike Lee and the committee's action, and we encourage Congress to send this legislation to the president's desk without delay."
Oil and natural gas producers pay more than $12,500 for each Application for Permit to Drill submitted to the federal government. Revenue generated through those fees supports personnel and activities associated with reviewing permits and managing energy development on public lands. The program has long received bipartisan support because it is funded entirely by industry-paid fees rather than taxpayer dollars.
Reauthorization would provide continued support for BLM offices responsible for overseeing approximately 10% of U.S. oil and natural gas production, making timely permitting and effective field office operations important to maintaining domestic energy production and energy security.
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Background
The PPIF was created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 as a pilot program. Following 10 years of success, Congress renewed it for an additional 10 years and expanded the program. Authorization for using drilling permit fees to fund portions of the PPIF expires in September.
Congress prioritized funding for eight high-volume BLM offices to support federal and tribal oil and natural gas activities. The offices are in Colorado, Montana/North Dakota, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The PPIF supports BLM's staff working on approvals for oil and natural gas activities, including permits, rights of way, environmental analysis, sundry notices, and surface use plans. Money is also used for interagency coordination with other federal agencies, staff hiring, and training.
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About the Independent Petroleum Association of America
IPAA is a national upstream trade association that provides a unified voice for independent oil and natural gas producers and service companies across the United States. Independent producers operate 95 percent of the nation's oil and natural gas wells and are responsible for 85 percent of U.S. oil production and 90 percent of natural gas production onshore.
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About Western Energy Alliance
Working with a vibrant membership base of independent oil and natural gas companies for over 50 years, Western Energy Alliance stands as a credible leader, advocate, and champion of industry in the West. Our expert staff, active committees, and committed board members form a collaborative and welcoming community of professionals dedicated to abundant, affordable energy and a high quality of life for all.
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URL: Western Energy Alliance
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Original text here: https://www.ipaa.org/ppif-reauthorization-clears-key-senate-hurdle/
[Category: Energy]
Cathy Pryor Named COO of Shoe Show Inc.
MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, July 30 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
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Cathy Pryor Named COO of SHOE SHOW, INC.
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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - Cathy Pryor, a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame and former Board Chair of the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of SHOE SHOW, INC. Jay Manning is retiring as COO on November 2, 2026 after 40 years with SHOE SHOW.
Pryor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024 after a successful 32-year career with Hibbett Sports. She
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MOUNT PROSPECT, Illinois, July 30 [Category: Business] -- The National Sporting Goods Association posted the following news:
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Cathy Pryor Named COO of SHOE SHOW, INC.
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CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - Cathy Pryor, a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame and former Board Chair of the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of SHOE SHOW, INC. Jay Manning is retiring as COO on November 2, 2026 after 40 years with SHOE SHOW.
Pryor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024 after a successful 32-year career with Hibbett Sports. Sheprogressed from District Manager to Director, Vice President of Store Operations and Senior Vice President of Store Operations and Executive Officer.
Pryor was the first woman to serve as NSGA Board Chair and was a member of the NSGA Board of Directors from 2012-20. She was a member of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee and also served as chair.
"Known for her collaborative leadership style and relentless pursuit of excellence, Cathy believes exceptional organizations are built by investing in people, embracing innovation, and continually challenging the status quo," SHOE SHOW said in a statement on its LinkedIn page. "She is passionate about developing leaders, fostering cultures rooted in trust and accountability, creating environments where teams are empowered to achieve extraordinary results."
Pryor began her career in sporting goods retail in 1985 with Robby's Sports in Florida and was a Store and District Manager before joining Hibbett in 1988. She helped expand Hibbett's footprint to more than 1,000 stores. She was chosen as Sporting Goods Woman of the Year, received the Retail Innovator Award from Retail TouchPoints and was recognized as one of the top businesswomen in Birmingham, Alabama during her time at Hibbett.
Manning began his retail career in 1977 and joined SHOE SHOW in 1986 as a buyer. His responsibilities expanded in 1994 into what became the COO role and he has "provided guidance across store operations, logistics and numerous strategic initiatives," according the LinkedIn statement.
SHOE SHOW was founded in 1960 in Kannapolis, North Carolina and provides footwear, bags and accessories for the entire family. SHOE SHOW's portfolio includes Burlington Shoes and it has nearly 1,000 stores in 47 states. The SHOE SHOW headquarters and distribution center is located in Concord, North Carolina.
Cathy Pryor and Mickey Newsome of Hibbett Sports are members of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame.
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Original text here: https://nsga.org/news/cathy-pryor-named-coo-of-shoe-show-inc/
Aesc Launches AI Audit & Optimization to Boost Executive Search Firm Efficiency
NEW YORK, July 30 -- The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants issued the following news release:
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Aesc Launches AI Audit & Optimization to Boost Executive Search Firm Efficiency
AI Audit & Optimization Helps Executive Search Firms Integrate AI to Reduce Costs and Search Speed
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AESC Learning & Development, the professional development arm of the Association of Executive Search & Leadership Consultants, has today launched a new program for executive search firms that audits existing integrations and optimizes use cases for efficiencies.
Many AI-focused programs
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NEW YORK, July 30 -- The Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants issued the following news release:
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Aesc Launches AI Audit & Optimization to Boost Executive Search Firm Efficiency
AI Audit & Optimization Helps Executive Search Firms Integrate AI to Reduce Costs and Search Speed
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AESC Learning & Development, the professional development arm of the Association of Executive Search & Leadership Consultants, has today launched a new program for executive search firms that audits existing integrations and optimizes use cases for efficiencies.
Many AI-focused programsare generalized for a broad audience, lacking the specificity required for executive search as an industry and for challenges at the individual firm level. When executive search-specific training is available, it is often either too elementary, such as demonstrating how ChatGPT can summarize candidate briefs, or assumes all firm members are experts in building and utilizing AI agents. In practice, most executive search AI training demands a complete overhaul of proven workflows to accommodate new tools, placing the burden of adoption and implementation on your team.
The AESC AI Audit and Optimization program addresses these challenges through a practical assessment of your firm's current AI usage, workflows, pain points, compliance considerations, technical readiness, and team experience levels. Following a discovery session, your firm receives a tailored audit designed to identify the highest-impact opportunities for AI optimization within your existing processes -- not to replace proven methodologies, but to enhance and streamline them where appropriate. From there, our team works alongside you to design customized workshops and implementation toolkits that help your team apply AI more effectively, efficiently, and confidently across day-to-day search operations.
For example, if your firm audit identifies that your team struggles with mid-search pivots frequently, AESC | Epistemy will design a custom session focused honing search strategy with AI to identify potential pivots before they happen, and then a second session on combatting pivots when unavoidable quickly through AI. AESC will recommend a detailed plan for optimization that is completely specific to your firm's needs. In addition to the workshops, your team will also receive an implementation toolkit to ensure long-term implementation.
"We've heard from our member firms that general AI education is no longer enough, so we're excited to be able to provide this fully customizable approach for firms who are ready to take their AI usage to the next level," says Rebecca Ditchey, Senior Program Manager - Learning & Development at AESC. "This program is exactly what our members have been asking for."
To get started, email learndev@aesc.org and set up your discovery session. From there, AESC's Learning & Development team will help identify a timeline for the audit and following optimization sessions.
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About AESC
AESC Member firms place and advise the world's board directors and C-suite leaders. Founded in 1959, AESC represents the global gold standard in executive search and leadership consulting, bringing together over 16,000 professionals in more than 80 countries. AESC Members are rigorously vetted to meet the highest standards in the profession, with only the top tier accepted into Membership.
To serve and promote its Members, AESC holds exclusive multi-day events and summits across the globe; provides in-person and online educational seminars and courses; operates the BlueSteps platform connecting candidates with AESC Member firms; publishes extensive industry research, as well as Executive Talent magazine; and provides access to exclusive Insight Exchanges and partnerships to assist Members with virtually every part of their business operations.
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Original text here: https://www.aesc.org/insights/press-release/ai-audit-optimization-boosts-executive-search-firm-efficiency/
[Category: Human Resources/Personnel]
ASTM Beard Conference on Advancing Asbestos Standards Invites Papers
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, July 30 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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ASTM Beard Conference on Advancing Asbestos Standards Invites Papers
The 2027 conference will explore how emerging technologies - including artificial intelligence - are transforming asbestos research.
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Presentations are invited for ASTM International's Beard Conference: Advancing Asbestos Standards - Integration of
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WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, July 30 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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ASTM Beard Conference on Advancing Asbestos Standards Invites Papers
The 2027 conference will explore how emerging technologies - including artificial intelligence - are transforming asbestos research.
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Presentations are invited for ASTM International's Beard Conference: Advancing Asbestos Standards - Integration ofEmerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence, to be held April 14-16, 2027, in Rosemont, Ill. The event is sponsored by ASTM International's air quality committee (D22) and will be held in conjunction with the committee's standards development meetings.
For more than two decades, the ASTM Beard Conference has served as a premier forum for advancing the science, practice, and standards surrounding asbestos. Building on this strong technical foundation, the 2027 conference will explore how emerging technologies - including artificial intelligence - are transforming asbestos research, analysis, standards development, and decision-making.
The complexities of asbestos demand perspectives from many fields. The conference welcomes contributions from the medical and public health communities, geologists and mineralogists, industrial hygienists, laboratory scientists, environmental professionals, regulatory agencies, consultants, researchers, and representatives from the commercial and built environment. By bringing together internationally recognized experts with diverse viewpoints, the Beard Conference continues to uncover new challenges, inspire innovative solutions, and strengthen the scientific foundation for future standards.
Abstracts are encouraged in areas including:
* Asbestos Health Effects & Medical Research
* Geology, Mineralogy, Nomenclature, Terminology
* Sampling, Exposure Assessment, and Risk Characterization
* Environmental Monitoring and Remediation
* International and Domestic Analytical Methods
* Naturally Occurring Asbestos, Talc, Erionite, and Vermiculite
* Asbestos Analysis and Quality Assurance
* Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Applications
Poster presentations are also welcome and may be requested during the abstract submission process.
To participate in the conference, authors, including poster competition students, must submit a 250 to 300-word preliminary abstract using the online Abstract Submission Portal no later than Nov. 30, 2026.
For more information about this conference, please visit: https://go.astm.org/D22-beard-conference.
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Original text here: https://www.astm.org/news/press-releases/astm-beard-conference
[Category: Materials Management]
