December 2007

NatureWorks^® Polylactide:
A Sustainable Biopolymer for the 21st Century

Richard C. Bopp, Ph.D.
Senior Materials Scientist
NatureWorks LLC
Minnetonka, MN 55345

In the past the plastics industry has traditionally relied upon petrochemicals as its primary feedstock. However, with growing concerns over the supply and cost of oil and natural gas and an increasing recognition of the need to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, new alternative technologies that enable us to produce plastics from annually renewable resources are being rapidly brought to market. In this presentation we discuss NatureWorks polylactide and its unique combination of environmental attributes, processability and end-use performance that helps position this sustainable biopolymer for a promising future in the 21st Century.

Richard C. Bopp is a senior materials scientist at NatureWorks LLC and has been working on the process and product development of polylactide (PLA) biopolymers for the past 11 years. His primary areas of focus have been PLA crystallization, thermoforming for improved heat resistance, injection blow molding and nanocomposite technology.

Prior to this position Dick worked at the General Electric Co. for 21 years, starting at the GE Corporate Research and Development Center and continuing at the GE Plastics PPO Technology Department in Selkirk, NY. At GE Dick led a variety of development programs including, microwaveable NORYL™ food packaging, GECET™ foam and UV stabilization. In 1992 he was the recipient of GE’s Don Jaquiss Award for his development of a flame retarded Noryl resin for a McDonald’s roof made from post-consumer recycled computer housings In 1993 he was named Noryl Recycle Business Leader.

President’s Message

Happy Holidays!

Already it has been a busy year for the South Texas Section: a networking opportunity at the ball park, a full-day of 6-sigma training, and a plant tour! This month's program will be a technical presentation from NatureWorks. This talk should appeal to R&D types as well as processors. And plan now to sign up early for the full-day Scientific Molding training program in January. This program will be hands-on and promises to be especially valuable to processors and technical support staffs. In addition to these “not so traditional” programs, the section also sponsors monthly breakfast and lunch opportunities for expanded networking.

2008 will bring the Polyolefins Conference which will be co-presented with FlexPackCon from the Flexible Packaging Division. Additionally, the SPE will offer an extended slate of seminars under the “PolyTech” banner. Mark your calendars now for the last week in February. Like the monthly meetings, you can sign up at the SPE South Texas website.

Finally, we’re looking forward to 2008/2009, forming the conference committee for the 2009 Polyolefins conference, and planning for the future of the section. We will be addressing questions like what our members want from the local section (versus the international organization.)
How can new technology (e.g. web-based meetings) serve our members?
And how will it influence our conferencing?
What’s the right balance of electronic and face-to-face?
And how do we maximize the participation and value of each?
How do we continue to attract and reward leaders who will take the organization forward?
How do we bring value to our extensive geography (from Southwest Louisiana toward San Antonio/Austin and north toward Dallas?)
To what extent should we revitalize our role as industry spokespersons for plastics technology?
What’s the best balance of support for elementary schools, secondary schools, and universities?
And schools versus other organizations like scouting or summer camp?

We will look forward to your input to the strategic planning committee:
Harish Sangani
Donna Davis
Jeff Applegate
Ray Johanessen
Kurt Hayden
Mike McMahon

Have a delightful holiday season, and be sure to join us for the NatureWorks presentation on December 10 at Brady's Landing.

Sincerely,

Donna S. Davis
SPE – South Texas Section President 2007-2008

Plastics Information: Check it Out

Since the Houston Public Library on McKinney St is essentially closed for remodeling, you cannot go there to browse for books on plastics/polymers. However, go to their catalog at www.hpl.lib.tx.us and arrange to pick up books at a branch library.

The Fondren Library at Rice University has the most complete collection of books on plastics and polymers. This is also a prime resource for patent and trademark information, as well as other US Government documents. You cannot check out books there unless you join Fondren Library [$50], but you can arrange for books to be sent to your library by inter-library loan. Use their catalog at www.rice.edu/fondren/.

The next best place to browse is at the MD Anderson Library at the University of Houston central campus. South Texas Section has donated many plastics books to this library. If you plan ahead, you can get a TexShare library card from a library where you are a member, which will allow you to check out books from any U of H library. Their catalog is at www.library.uh.edu/.

Texas A&M University Fall PTIC Meeting Report

by Ananda M. Chatterjee
Education Committee member
SPE South Texas section

On October 26, 2007 I attended the PTIC (Polymer Technology Industrial Consortium) meeting at Texas A&M University (TAMU), College Station, TX. The attending companies included Dow Chemical, Sumitomo, Total Petrochemicals, BASF, Sunoco, Kraton Polymers, Kaneka Texas Corp, Mytex Polymers, Tokai Rubber Industries, Ashburn Technologies etc. Don Witenhafer of our South Texas section was also in attendance. The Polymer Technology Center (PTC) at TAMU has now 26 associated faculty members in various academic departments.

The presentations (all by faculty) at this meeting are summarized below.

Prof. Perla Balbuena, Chemical Engineering Department, discussed polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. Proton transport through perfluorinated Nafion membranes was considered, including mitigating the degradation of membranes. The effect of catalyst on membrane performance was covered.

Prof. Steve Suh, Mechanical Engineering, presented his lecture on “Design Institute at TAMU”. PTC is collaborating with the Institute for Innovation and Design in Engineering (IIDE), to improve their design education program.

The topic of Prof. Cris Schwartz, Mechanical Engineering, was “The Value of Touch: a Framework for Polymer Haptics Research”. Haptics relates to the sensation produced after skin contact with foreign material. Improved softness and touch of fiber and film for consumer products is an example.

Prof. Xin-Lin Gao, Mechanical Engineering, gave his presentation on modeling of electrical conductivity of Nickel nanostrand filled polymer matrix composites. One goal of this research is improved protection against lightning strike. The Ni nanostrands are 50-500 nanometer in diameter and up to 1000 micrometer long.

Prof. Abe Clearfield of Chemistry Department talked on designed nanofillers for polymer nanocomposites. Noting that nanoclay is impure, alpha-Zr phosphate was synthesized in relatively pure and well characterizable form. Based on X-ray diffraction pattern, exfoliation of this nanofiller, indicating excellent dispersion, in PP matrix was claimed.

Prof. H-J Sue, Mechanical Engineering, discussed scratch and mar behavior of polymers. Gloss change was a key parameter in the mar study. The GM mar test uses 7 mm diameter ball, vs. 1mm diameter tip for scratch testing.

Prof. Zoubeida Ounaies, Aerospace Engineering, presented her research on “processing and characterization of polymer nanocomposites: a step towards materials by design”. With 0.5% single-wall carbon nanotube added to polyvinyledene fluoride (PVDF), the desired beta crystal form of PVDF was produced in one step. This research is progressing in collaboration with the University of Houston. Nanofibers produced by electrospinning was also mentioned.

Business meeting – In the business part of the meeting, there was discussion on starting a new consortium on haptics research, to be led by Prof. Cris Schwartz. Initially 2-3 companies will be member, as was the case for TAMU’s successful Scratch consortium. Kraton Polymers, BASF and Japan PP Company have shown interest in Haptics consortium. A short course will be offered on scratch and wear behavior of polymers and composites in 2008.

The next PTIC meeting is planned for April, 2008.

Book Bag

Injection Molding Handbook – 2nd Edition (#0729)
By Tim A. Osswald, Lih-Sheng Turng, Paul Gramann, 2007, 788 pages
Price: $162.00 / SPE Member $136.00

Lean Six Sigma Training Wrap-Up

The University of Houston and the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, in conjunction with SPE Board member, Gerry Fusco, conducted a well received and successful training class at Brady's Landing on November 12. In addition to the lecture part of the program, 6-sigma fun-filled exercises enabled the participants to work first hand at seeing how processes can be improved. In addition, this unique program introduced actual case studies where successes have been achieved in the Plastics Industry here in Houston.
 
In addition to an average course rating of 4.5 out of 5, feedback from the participants included:
 
“Good combo of lectures and activities.”
“Very good presentations.”
“Very good illustrations.”
 “Never bored.”
 “Very Understandable.”
 
The South Texas Section of SPE is proud of this success and looks forward to other equally as successful events such as the upcoming:
 
Biopolymers – Applications and opportunities – Dec. 10
Injection Molding Tutorial – Jan. 8

SPE Hosts Nearly Twenty Polymer Technology Seminars at PolyTech

The Society of Plastics Engineers will present nearly 20 one- and 2-day technology-focused seminars in Houston, Texas, in conjunction with the International Polyolefins and FlexPackCon^® Conferences. This seminar series will be held at the Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint, February 25-28, 2008.

PolyTech Seminars, led by expert instructors, will provide fundamental-, intermediate- and advanced-level instruction in blow molding, extrusion, thermoforming, materials, and product design and development.

To learn more about SPE PolyTech Seminars, to read instructor bios or to register, visit the website at http://www.4spe.org/training/seminars. Discounted advance registration pricing ends February 15, 2008.

Questions? Contact the SPE Management Department:
    Laurie McDougal, Event Coordinator
    Email: seminars@4spe.org
    Phone: + 1 203-740-5432

SPE Conference Combines Polyolefins and Flexible Packaging Advances

So what's new with Polyolefins in Flexible Packaging? Even the way new packaging ideas are identified and developed!

Mark Peterson, Director of External Business Development, Procter and Gamble, will discuss how Open Innovation has been an integral part of P&G's strategy ever since AG Lafley established the challenge for P&G to find “...50% of its innovation from outside the company.” Peterson says Open Innovation is not a one-time fix, but rather an ongoing approach to identify and procure opportunities from multiple arenas. Sustaining this source of opportunities requires that submitters have a positive experience no matter what the outcome.

EBD tracks Net Present Values of open innovation opportunities, and ultimately incremental dollar sales in market. EBD also tracks the number of submissions received and outcomes as a productivity measure. This process ties efforts to the business units' strategies and helps make contributions tangible.

Open Innovation has been identified as a way to deliver technical advances in an efficient and effective way, particulalry in today's competitive environment.

Mr. Peterson's presentation will be part of the plenary session, Monday, February 25, 2008, for the combined Polyolefins and FlexPackCon conferences at the Wyndham Hotel Greenspoint, Houston, Texas. Details, including registration links, are available at www.spe-stx.org/PolyolefinsConference.htm.

Photodegradation of Polystyrene

Young Eric
Nigeria Society of Polymer Engineers
No 4 Bishop Oluwole Street
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract
The rate of photo degradation of polystyrene in our society (Tropical Climate) has really limited its applications to mostly indoor use. This led to a wide range of research works on the effect of our Climatic condition on the photo degradation of polystyrene. Through studying and compilation of research findings and industrial informations, the primary causes, effect and factors affecting photo degradable in our society are discussed.

Introduction
Polystyrene has been one of the most important commercial polymers widely used in various industrial fields, as a result of its good physical properties, and are often subjected to the radiation of sunlight in outdoor use. Subsequently our local industries are gradually restricting the application of PS to indoor equipment. Due to the fact that it has been observed to loose its physical, chemical and mechanical properties faster when compared to other polymers like Poly Olefins, on long term exposure to sunlight radiation. Considering the tropical climatic condition of Nigeria, a high intensity of sunlight radiation on PS material has been discovered to generate into certain intermolecular actions which has led to a faster rate of property loss known as photo degradable.

Primary causes of Photo degradation
When PS are used outdoors they are exposed to solar (photo) radiation. The ultra violet absorption spectrums is absorbed strongly at a wavelength of 318nm due to the So- Si transition of benzene ring, and this absorption band extends to larger wavelength. The end groups of PS or Ketonic impurities also absorbs the light of wavelength longer than 318nm. As our terrestrial sunlight consist of wavelength longer than 320nm, photo degradable takes place upon irradiation with a portion of UV light contained in sunlight.

Photo degradable of PS result in chain scission, cross linking and marked discoloration (yellow). These reaction, are accompanied by change of chemical structure, molecular weight, solubility in solvent and various characteristics. Analytical method for studying these changes have been developed and much information about the photo degradation processes has been obtained. For instance, UV and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy are used to detect the formation or disappearance of functional groups in the polymer, i.e. chemical changes of the polymer. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, due to its excellent sensitivity, has been applied for analysis of a small amount of the products formed by photo irradiation.

Other analytical techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity, osmotic pressure and light scattering has been used to observe it changes in structure, molecular weight, color and other characteristic. Radicals produced after photon absorption has been detected through election spin resonance (ESR).

Photo initiation and Elementary Processes
The initiation of photo chemical reaction is the formation of an electronically excited state (energetic photo). In the case of polystyrene, absorption of light of wavelength less than 300nm result in the formation of the excited singlets state of the phenyl group. (4)

This electronically excited state can be detected by luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence) and by light methods. PS also degrade by photo irradiation with light of wavelength longer than 320nm to the end group of PS and Ketonic and occasionally owing incorporated with impurities. (3)

The electronically excited state of the PS molecule then dissociates into radical. The radical produced by the photo irradiation are assigned to the polystyryl radical (I) and phenyl radical (II). Hydrogen radicals formed as the counter part of radical (I) are mobile and can diffuse into the polymer matrix and recombine to form hydrogen molecules.

The phenyl radical cannot diffuse out and may abstract hydrogen atom from adjacent polymer molecule to form polystyryl radical. Those elementary processes are summarized as follow.

The polystyryl radical thus produced are the important precursors of photo induced chain scission, cross linking and the formation of unsaturation (yellowing).

Photo degradation Mechanism
This mechanism explanation is restricted to PS film exposed to photo radiation at a UV wavelength of 320nm in the presence of air (photo oxidation). Photo degradation in the presence of air result in 90% chain scission, 10% cross-linking and discoloration. It is found by the analysis of radical formation that oxygen attack on the polystyryl radical is faster during the early stages of irradiation. This may be explained by assuming that oxygen penetrates into PS and the rate of penetration becomes slower in the interior of the PS. The viscosity average molecular weight Mv decreases with the radiation time, this decrease is complementary with the increase of peroxy radical formation. The following mechanism can explain the photo oxidation reaction in polystyrene.

These results suggest that the degradation reaction may proceed via peroxide intermediate and result in the main chain scission of PS leading to the formation of carboxyl compounds.

Factors Affecting Photo degradation of PS
Efficiency of energetic photo absorption in PS film is one the major factor promoting photo degradation. Research results shows that the rapid attenuation in the photon absorption irradiation if film with light wave length of 320nm has the effect of confining the effective tone to the surface layers. It also reports that the photo degradable starts from the surface of films by analyzing the changes in chemiluminescence spectra of PS film during photo irradiation. The rate of oxygen attack to polystyryl radical formed by photo irradiation on the surface of the film is much faster than that in the interior. As a result chain scission takes place mostly on the surface of the film while a little cross-linkage can be observed in the interior when there is no oxygen.

Photo degradation in Tropical Climate
The rate of photo degradation in tropical climate is increasingly high due to the hours of sunlight irradiation experienced by PS material when exposed outdoor. To determine the climatic effect on PS, a critical analyses on the average time of sunrise and sunset in every month of the year 2000 was observed and described as shown in figure. 2. This chart also specified the hour of high intensiveness of sunlight radiation experienced through the year and absorption temperature of materials.

Furthermore, to measure the effect of this weather condition on PS, a film of PS and a PS extruded with 2% carbon black was both exposed outdoor for the period of 6 months. They were exposed from the month of January to June so as to experience the Harmattan (Dry) and Raining season of the weather,
see figure 1. Monthly record of weight measurement and changes in properties were observed as shown in table 1. In figure 1, it is observed that longer hours and higher Intensity of sunlight radiation are experienced in the Harmattan season with absorption temperatures rising from 200c –650c (noon),
than the raining season were climatic temperature rising from 150c –500c (noon). The long term sunlight radiation of this climate enhance the rate of penetration of energetic photo into PS film, these in turn promote photooxidation which leads to chain scission.

Resultant effect of the tropical climatic condition on PS film and PS/2% carbon black film generated to a decrease in viscosity average molecular weight of the films. The PS Percentage Rate of Reduction of viscosity average molecular weight per hour PRRw was calculated to be 0.0027%/hr and for PS/2% carbon black was 0.00108%/hr. Since the Carbon black affected the film clarity negatively, only the viscosity average molecular has been observed for PS/2% C-b. A review of the effect of UV stabilizer on PS are beyond the scope of this paper but many excellent articles on this subject can be found in the
literature (2-3) Further experiment on UV Stabilizer that wont alter any change in clarity is still on process through which final conclusion will be drawn for the best UV Stabilizer to match our climate.

The PS film was observed to experience after the first 3 month, a surface creasing, embrittlement, discoloration, crack networks. The effect of the surface layer was the most marked. Considering its embrittlement, effect when the product was bent, with the brittled layer being on the tensile side. The tensile failure strain of the surface layer was observed to be smaller than that of the interior (substrate) so it failed first. A series of sharp crack and embrittlement revealed the inability to withstand stresses and lost of clarity. From table 1, it is observed that the rate of percentage decrees of Mv of PS/2% C-b film is
slow when compare to PS film, and both experience a high rate of degradation during the first 3 months (Harmattan season) this has been due to the high intensity of sunlight radiation and absorption experience during the season (material absorption temperature 650c.) The varying intensity of sunlight radiation during the raining season reduces the rate of photo oxidation penetrating the film thereby a slower rate of decrease in Mv is observed.

The cyclic changes in the weather of our tropical climate has a lot of unfavorable characteristic properties on PS material. In place of PS, PP and PE are alternatively used in our industries to produce long term exposed out door appliances. This has been due to the existence of only poly olefins plants in our country. These petrochemical plants have systematically investigated the nature of poly olefin and have employed a thorough observation on its sensitivity to our tropical climatic condition. Through repeated tests, research and analysis, amplified results that have led to the production of PE and PP of high UV stability has been obtain.

PS is among the major imported Resins in Nigeria. So the ability of PS producing plant around the world to put into consideration, Geographical location, climatic conditions etc during production will propel its application, durability and marketability in our society. Polymer scientist need to work more toward producing stabilizers and other methods of reducing photo degradable like introducing PS copolymer, blends without affecting a change in clarity, in climate such as ours.

Conclusion
The application of PS will be widen in our society if these and other positive measures will be taken. In addition cost reduction of existing product will all be possible as a result of its efficiency i.e. extended service lifetime. Due to several climatic and economical factors, as well as the fact that PE, PP and other copolymer are currently the material of choice for general outdoor application in Nigeria, it appears that PS is faced with a unique opportunity to take a lead in developing certain essential appliances e.g. optical industries, electrical/electronic industries, due to its numerous physical properties. Due to this facts, better ways of achieving PS UV Stabilizers to withstand the tropical climatic condition are on search presently.

Reference
1. N Grassie and N.AWeir, J appl, Ploym. Sci 9.975 (1979)
2. P Gijsman Poly Degree and stab 39 225 (1993)
3. P. Klem church M. Gauide, Makro Mol. Chem Maeromol. Symp 28 117 (1989)
4. Slant and S Rice Chem Phys 43:886 (1982)
5. MTVala Jr.A Soedim Photochemistry 17:797 (1981)

Acknowledgment
I appreciate the contribution of Mrs. Elizabeth Nkire Pua, Engr. Chibiko Young, Goodness Obia for their hand work in developing my data. I also thank the Nigeria Society of Polymer Engineers for their earnest encouragement during my research work and the Society of Plastic Engineers for allowing me to present this paper.

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Topical Conferences (TopCons)

Patent Law Fundamentals for Scientists, Engineers and Manager – Part 2
e-Live™ Presentation
December 11, 2007
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Characterizing Specialty Plasticizers for Vinyl Applications
e-Live™ Presentation
December 12, 2007
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Extrusion MiniTec
December 12, 2007
UMass Lowell – Wannalancit Mill
1st Floor Conference Room
600 Suffolk Street
Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
Contact: Charlie Martin
PH: +1 908-685-2333 x616

Autoplast 2007
December 12-14, 2007
Hotel Leela Kempinski
Sahar, Mumbai, INDIA
Contact: Vijay Boolani, SPE India
PH: +1 91-22-2430 2826 / FX: +1 91-22-2422 9875
speindia@gmail.com
www.4speindia.org

Environmental Stress Cracking
e-Live™ Presentation
December 13, 2007
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Patent Law Fundamentals for Scientists, Engineers and Manager – Part 3
e-Live™ Presentation
December 19, 2007
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Fundamentals of Plastics Bonding
e-Live™ Presentation
January 9, 2008
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Plastic Material Selection
e-Live™ Presentation
January 16, 2008
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Polymers – Taking Stock of the Past, a Look at the Present, and Pondering Future Growth and Challenges
e-Live™ Presentation
January 17, 2008
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Development of a Tool to Measure Bond-line Read-through
Best of Automotive Conference 2007
e-Live™ Presentation
February 6, 2008
New York 11am / Los Angeles 8am/ London 4pm / Paris 5pm
Contact: SPE e-Learning Center / PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
elearning@4spe.org

Injection Molding of Medical Devices
SPE Caribbean Section MiniTec
February 21-22, 2008
Four Points Hotel, Caguas, Puerto Rico
Contact: SPE Conference Department
PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
conferences@4spe.org

Polyolefins Conference, FlexPackCon, and PolyTech Seminars
February 24-28, 2008
Wyndham Hotel
Houston, TX USA
Contact: SPE Conference Department
PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
conferences@4spe.org

Thermoplastic Concentrates 2008
February 25-27, 2008
The Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort Phoenix, AZ, USA
Contact: AMI
Margit Korsak
PH: +1 610-478-0800
mk@researchami.com
www.amiplastics.com

Polymer Nanocomposites
March 2-4, 2008
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA
Contact: SPE Conference Department
PH: +1 203-775-0471 / FX: +1 203-775-8490
conferences@4spe.org

Updates and Happenings from TTU Student Chaper VP

by Charly Sisk
Texas Tech University
Dept of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Box 41061
Lubbock TX 79409-1061
charly.sisk@ttu.edu
806-577-8600

* The officers and members took part by setting up a booth, flyers, and posterboard at the August 2007 Student Organization Fair on Texas Tech campus. The Student Organization Fair is directed to increase membership numbers and provide information regarding SPE. (Pictures are available for viewing on the chapter webpage)

* Sept. 5th, 2007: Officer Meeting was held and ideas and plans for the Fall semester schedule were discussed.

*Made a goal for the semester: We have currently 20 members, and our goal is to raise membership up to 30 members by 2008!!!

* Sept. 10th, 2007: Poster hang-up on campus. Posters and handouts regarding our meeting and the organization as a whole were posted around campus by the officers to raise awareness of meetings and SPE as a whole.

* Sept. 14th, 2007: First Seminar/Meeting: Guest speaker, Dave Kraus-Director of University Career Services, gave a seminar regarding career placement, job fairs, etc. The meeting was a success. We had a packed room of ~30 students from all divisions of engineering and chemistry in attendance. An introduction of new officers and a thank you for past officers contributions were given. All previous officers were given special coffee mugs containing their faces as a token of our thanks for their hard work and efforts in the past year. (Pictures are available for viewing on the chapter webpage)

* Our webmaster, Miao Hu, has been doing a great job updating pictures and information on our webpage. If you find time please take a look at http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/plastics%2Dttu/Photos.htm.

* October 5th, 2007: Officer's Meeting held to discuss the scheduled second seminar and fall festival-outdoor activity.

* Oct. 11th, 2007: Second Officer's Meeting to finalize details pertaining to fall-festival outdoor activity.

* Oct. 26th, 2007: Second seminar presented by guest speaker Professor. Shiren Wang from Department of Industry Engineering. He talk dealt with the area of Nanotube/polymer nanocomposites. Again, great attendance and interest in this particular area of research.

* Oct. 27th, 2007: Fall Festival-Outdoor Activity was a huge success! The festival included a trip to the "Pumpkin Capitol of the USA" in Floydada, TX and ended at the corn maze followed by the party with campfire, let's make and enjoy American traditional camp food- "Smores". The trip to the pumpkin patch was accompanied by a guided tour through the pumpkin patches, collie show and person pumpkin souveniors for each member. The corn maze included a meal catered by SubWay and cake provided by Dr. Khare. Again, pictures should be updated soon on the webpage for this event.

This is just a brief interlude to our Fall Semester. We have many activities, seminars, and events to come. Hope to hear from you soon.