Message from the Conference Chairs
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we are delighted to welcome all the delegates and their guests to Aveiro, Portugal, for Research Trends in Mechanical Engineering (RTME) – First International Conference and Workshop on Mechanical Engineering Research, which is expected to become a conference series with biannual frequency. The series will be devoted to the science and practice of mechanical engineering and it will serve as a platform to exchange ideas, discover novel opportunities, make new friends, and broaden research networks.
The 1st conference in the RTME series aims to honouring the lifetime achievements of Professor José Joaquim de Almeida Grácio. He was the founding member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM) and its R&D Unit “TEMA” at University of Aveiro. Over a quarter of century he had a remarkable activity of teaching, research and university management; however, we believe that Professor José Grácio should be remembered for his extraordinary devotion to his students and colleagues, and to the institution. His mentoring had no bounds or hours, his availability became legendary in his own time. During his courageous battle against a merciless disease, which led to his ultimate death, Professor José Grácio maintained the same enthusiasm, interest and involvement in the activities of DEM and TEMA – he was and he is a source of inspiration for all those that had the privilege of knowing him.
The theme of the 1st International Conference and Workshop on the Research Trends on Mechanical Engineering (RTME 2016) is “Mechanical Engineering Research “and it will broadly cover all disciplines of mechanical engineering from fundamental research to technological applications; however, priority will be given to the main research interests of Professor José Grácio, which were in the area dealing with the implementation of physical models to predict the mechanical behaviour of materials for long-term applications in the areas of plasticity and nanotechnology.
We are pleased to have a distinguished group of speakers to deliver plenary lectures, some of them are members of the Honorary Committee and others are to be confirmed shortly. In addition to divisional workshops, the scientific program also includes several jointly organized international symposia. These symposia aim to highlight research interests of Portuguese researchers and practitioners in an international context and in particular partnerships in international projects and other endeavours.
All of the members of the local Organizing Committee from University of Aveiro wish you an outstanding conference experience and a memorable stay in Aveiro. Welcome to Aveiro! Bem-vindos a Aveiro!