 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The International Metallographic Contest and Exhibit is being held in conjunction with the 41st Annual IMS Convention and Technical Meeting in Albuquerque,New Mexico, August 4 - 7, 2008. The contest features the best work of metallographers and microstructural analysts from around the world. Entrants need not be members of the International Metallographic Society or ASM International. Read the excellent articles by Jim Nelson for tips on creating a winning entry, and for insight into the judging process. Here's a list of the winners from the 2007 Contest in Ft. Lauderdale. |
| PURPOSE |
The primary goal of the contest is to advance the science of microstructural analysis by providing an opportunity for microstructural analysts to display their work and communicate significant scientific information. There are eleven different classes of competition covering all fields of optical and electron microscopy. In Classes 1 through 8 multiple images and captions are expected to be used to describe how metallography was used to help solve a problem or to describe a unique or unusual technique. Classes 9, 10 and 11 are for artistic pictures. The contest is open to all, including non-members.
Officers of IMS or ASM, class award sponsors and commercial exhibitors may
enter in any class to compete for cash awards including best in show. If
an entry submitted by officers of IMS or ASM, class award sponsors or commercial
exhibitors receives a first place award in any class, the author is prohibited
from entering the same class the following year.
| AWARDS | - All monetary awards will be issued in U.S. dollars. |
Best in Show will receive the Jacquet-Lucas Award and $3000.00.
First Place winners will receive $200.00. First Place undergraduate student winners in Classes 7 and 8 also receive the George L. Kehl Plaque. The Second Place winners will receive $100.00. Third Place winners will receive $50.00. A certificate of appreciation will be awarded for Honorable Mention.
Prize money, plaques, certificates etc. will be sent to the primary investigator (first author listed), except in the case of the Jacques-Lucas Award money which will be divided equally among the authors.
If in the opinion of the judges the standards expected of prize winners are not met, one or more awards in that class may be omitted.
Entries are prominently displayed at the annual IMS Convention following judging and again in the fall at the annual ASM Event. Winning entries will also be displayed at ASM headquarters.
| CLASSES |
1. Light Microscopy - Metals and Metal Alloys Only - sponsored by Struers, Inc.
2. Light Microscopy - All Other Materials - sponsored by Allied High Tech Products
3. Electron Microscopy - Transmission and Analytical
4. Electron Microscopy - Scanning
5. Color Microscopy
6. The DuBose-Crouse Award for Unique, Unusual, and New Techniques in
Microscopy - sponsored by Elsevier
7. Undergraduate Student Entries - Metals and Metal Alloys Only
8. Undergraduate Student Entries - All Other Materials
The following Classes are for pretty pictures. One image per entry. Not
eligible for best in show:
9. Artistic Microscopy - Black and White Only- sponsored by Precision Surfaces International
10. Artistic Microscopy - Color Only
11. Digital Microscopy - Artistic
| Digitally captured images are permitted in all categories but the images must depict true structures which have not been significantly altered from their original appearance (except in Class 11). See Rule 10. |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
CLASS 5 - This class is based on the use of color microscopy to express or clearly define the story in a manner definitely superior to that obtained by black and white microscopy.
CLASSES 9 and 10 - Images of artistic or aesthetic value. Only one image per entry. These classes are not eligible for Best in Show.
CLASS 11 - Images of artistic or aesthetic value. Only one image per entry. The image may be created by digitally combining and enhancing multiple images to create one artistic image which would otherwise not exist in a specimen. This class is not eligible for Best in Show.
In all categories except 9, 10, and 11 multiple images and captions are expected to be used to tell a story of how metallography helped solve a problem.
Color Micrographs are allowed in all classes, however, the judging committee discourages the use of color when it is used strictly for aesthetic reasons (except in classes 10 and 11). The judges may penalize entries for the use of color when it is not specifically needed.
Any entry may be subject to disqualification if the rules are not followed.
| RULES |
No more than three entries per individual (or team) will be accepted with no more than two entries allowed in any one class. This is to encourage exhibitors to enter only their best work.
All entries must be:
1. Mounted on a sturdy light-weight backing (mat board, foam core,
heavy cardboard, etc.).
2. The maximum acceptable dimensions are 16 x 20 inches and the minimum
are 8 x 10 in.
3. More than one pertinent photomicrograph may be presented on a single
poster as one entry (except in Classes 9, 10, and 11). Multiple posters for
one entry are not acceptable, each poster must be a single entry.
4. Each entry can be entered in only one class. The judges will not
reclassify an entry even though they feel it would do better in another class;
so choose your class carefully.
5. Entries must carry on the face of the poster: (a) classification
of entry (1-11); (b) material(s) or alloy; (c) etchant (if any); (d)
magnification; and (e) explanation and any unusual technical or structural
features. The above caption information may be submitted in any language,
however, an English translation must be submitted.
6. The name, company affiliation, postal address, and phone number
or cable address of the exhibitor must be typewritten and placed on the back
of the mount. Include an email address if you would like rapid notification
of results. Do not place name or affiliation on front of the poster. The
exhibit committee will affix a name and address label on the face of the
entry after judging. Please leave space in the upper left and right hand
corners of the poster for labels.
7. All entries become the joint property of the IMS and ASM and cannot
be returned.
8. Only one photograph per entry in Classes 9, 10, and 11.
9. Do not frame entries.
10. All entries which contain digitally captured images must have
a signed copy of the following statement affixed to the back of the entry
(except Class 11):
| These images have not been significantly altered from their original
appearance by application of image-enhancement algorithms and convolution
kernals unless the purpose of the entry is to show how those are used to
illustrate specific effects.
Signature________________________________________
|
| JUDGING |
Judging will be on a point system using the following criteria:
1. Technical content - originality of the project in relation to solving
a problem - 45 points max.
2. Quality and uniqueness of specimen preparation - 25 points max.
3. Photographic quality - 20 points max.
4. Uniqueness of the presentation in an aesthetic and technical sense,
manner of titles, and other printed descriptions - 10 points max.
5. Classes 9, 10, and 11 only - Judging of these classes is based
on the artistic value of the micrographs only. (Only one photo per entry).
| For tips on creating a winning entry, and for insight into the judging process, please be sure to read the excellent articles by Jim Nelson at www.internationalmetallographicsociety.org/winning.html . |
| SHIPPING: |
| All entries must be received by July 18, 2008 and
should be sent to:
Sandia National Laboratories |
|
|
|
|
|
|