2009 International Metallographic Contest

The International Metallographic Society's International Metallographic Contest and Exhibit is being held in conjunction with their 42nd annual convention in Richmond, Virginia, July 26 - 30, 2009.
The contest features the best work of metallographers and microstructural analysts
from around the world.
This page details the rules and regulations.
Want some tips for creating a winning entry?
Read the excellent article by Jim Nelson.
Good luck.

New for 2009 Entries for Classes 9, 10, and 11 may be submitted by email or uploaded via FTP. See instructions below.

Deadline for entries is July 10, 2009

(Check out the 2008 Winners) or (Learn more about the I.M.S.)


AWARDS - All monetary awards will be issued in U.S. dollars.

Best in Show will receive the Jacquet-Lucas Award which includes $3000.00 (sponsored by Buehler Ltd.).

First Place winners will receive $200.00. First Place undergraduate student winners in Classes 7 and 8 also receive the George L. Kehl Plaque. 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.

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.

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
2. Light Microscopy - All Other Materials
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
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 - entries in this class may be submitted via FTP or Email
10. Artistic Microscopy - Color Only - entries in this class may be submitted via FTP or Email
11. Digital Microscopy - Artistic - entries in this class may be submitted via FTP or Email

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).


SHIPPING:

All entries must be received by July 10, 2009 and should be sent to:

Ryan Deacon
Senior Professional Staff
Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory
11100 Johns Hopkins Road
Laurel, MD 20723


Instructions if you would like to FTP or Email entries for Classes 9, 10, and 11 only:
Maximum file size is 10MB. Please use the highest quality images regarding bit depth, file size, and resolution. Images must be in one of the following formats: jpg (jpeg), gif, tif (tiff), bmp.

Please be sure to also upload, or include with your email, a txt file with your name, address, email address, company affiliation, phone number, AND the file name of the images you are submitting.

To upload an entry via FTP, set your FTP client as follows:

Host Address: www.internationalmetallographicsociety.org
User I.D.: entrant
Initial Remote Directory: /contest_ftp
Password: ims.2009

To email entries for Classes 9, 10, and 11 send to:
contest@internationalmetallographicsociety.org


For further information, contact: Mr. Jeff Stewart, Stern-Leach Company, 49 Pearl Street, Attleboro, MA 02703; 508-222-7400 X1329; FAX: 508-699-4030; Email: jeff@metallography.com
Metallography.com is not affiliated with the IMS or ASM. International Metallographic Society information is presented here as a service to visitors at metallography.com. If you have questions regarding the IMS (an affiliate society of ASM International), please email Sarina Pastoric, Administrator, IMS Services for ASM. You might also like to read a brief history of the Society or visit the IMS website for additional information about the society and its 41st Annual Convention being held in conjunction with M&M 2008, August 4 - 7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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