COM 2024 Plenaries and Panelists

We are delighted to introduce our esteemed plenaries and panelists for the 63rd Annual Conference of Metallurgists. Our lineup features exceptional speakers who will delve into captivating topics that resonate with all attendees.

Why Do We Need and How Do We Make Lithium-Ion Batteries That Last 50 Years or More

Past, Present, and Future Metallurgy

Big Ideas Session

Preparing Tomorrow's Talent for a Bright Future in Extractive Metallurgy

Advanced Manufacturing Across Canada: Prospects and Challenges

Plenary Session

Monday, August 19 at 16:00

Why Do We Need and How Do We Make Lithium-Ion Batteries That Last 50 Years or More

Abstract

The world is moving toward the “Electrification of Everything” in order to eliminate fossil fuel use.  Lithium and Sodium-ion batteries will play an essential role in this transition.  In applications like Grid Energy Storage, one could ask the question: “How long should the batteries last?”. There is only one sensible answer to this question and it is: “As long as possible”.  I will explain why lithium and sodium-ion batteries eventually die and the steps we have taken to improve their lifetimes to many decades, maybe more than 50 years. 

Plenary Speaker

Jeff Dahn

Emeritus Professor and Principal Investigator NSERC/TESLA Canada Alliance Grant
Dept. of Physics and Atmospheric Science, Dalhousie University

Jeff Dahn obtained his B.Sc. in Physics from Dalhousie University (1978) and his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia in 1982. Dahn then worked at NRC (82-85) and at Moli Energy Limited (85-90) before joining the Physics Department at Simon Fraser University in 1990. He returned to Dalhousie University in 1996. At Moli, he did pioneering work on lithium-ion batteries.

In 2016, Dr. Dahn began a research partnership with Tesla as the NSERC/Tesla Canada industrial research chair which will run at least till 2026. Jeff Dahn is the author or co-author of over 780 refereed journal papers and 78 inventions with patents issued or filed.

Dahn’s research in the lithium-ion battery field has been recognized by numerous awards including a Governor General’s Innovation Award (2016) and the Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal in Science and Engineering (2017), Canada’s top science prize. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2020.

Dr. Dahn’s wife Kathy, daughters Hannah and Tara, and son, Jackson are all Dalhousie graduates, as are their spouses. He has 4 grandchildren. All of the family resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Plenary Session

Tuesday, August 20 at 8:30

Past, Present, and Future Metallurgy

Abstract

In 1959, a mere sixty-five years ago, I began my career in the metallurgical industry. It was not exactly the Iron Age, but things were certainly different then and have evolved considerably over the intervening years.  Slide rules, Ohdner and Facit calculators have been replaced by low cost but powerful personal computers, the internet, and artificial intelligence.  Waiting for a reference paper to arrive by mail was replaced, first by telefax, now by a quick Google or Perplexity search. Dumping the wastes of our industry into the environment is replaced by minimizing such wastes, recycling, and more responsible disposal methods – largely.

In my speech, I will talk a bit about my history and experience as a metallurgist.  I will offer my perspective on such current factors as climate change, the resultant increase in demands for commodities, the shortage of qualified people to work in our industry, the role of artificial intelligence, and consumption.  Finally, I will polish off my crystal ball and offer thoughts on where I think we are going and comment on how we, the attendees at this conference, our colleagues and peers, could have a positive impact both within our profession and generally.

Plenary Speaker

John Goode

P.Eng., FCIMM, FAusIMM, ARSM
J.R. Goode and Associates, Toronto, ON

John R. Goode worked in industry for a year before attending the Royal School of Mines in London, UK.  After graduating as a metallurgist in 1963, he spent four years in pyrometallurgical plants at Falconbridge and Bristol, six years at a Rio Algom uranium/REE/thorium plant, and two years with RTZ’s Ore Sorters group.  He joined Kilborn Engineering in 1976 and completed several rare earth, base metal, gold and uranium projects. in 1994 he joined Barrick to manage its China operation returning to Canada in 1998 to start a consultancy. Since then he has worked on numerous rare earth projects (Sarfartoq, Serra Verde, Morro do Ferro, Pea Ridge, Mountain Pass, Tomtor, Strange Lake, Wicheeda), gold projects (Young-Davidson, Valentine) and uranium projects (Michelin).  John has helped organize CIM/MetSoc conferences, presented numerous papers and is an expert to the ISO Technical Committee 298 on rare earths.

Big Ideas Session

Tuesday, August 20 at 15:10

The Big Ideas session will be presented in a fast-paced format. Each speaker will have approximately 8 minutes to give their pitch and convince the audience.

The deadline to submit your idea is April 5, 2024.

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Panel Discussion

Wednesday, August 21 at 08:00

Preparing Tomorrow's Talent for a Bright Future in Extractive Metallurgy

Modernizing education, mentorship and early-career pathways

Panel organizer and moderator: Prof. Alessandro Navarra, McGill University, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Description TBA

Panelists

List of speakers TBA

FirstName LastName

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Panel Discussion

Thursday, August 22 at 08:00

Advanced Manufacturing Across Canada: Prospects and Challenges

Panel organizer and moderator: Mohsen Mohammadi, Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Description TBA

Panelists

List of speakers TBA

FirstName LastName

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FirstName LastName

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FirstName LastName

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