Gépészet 2004 1-2. [antikvár]

PREFACE The conference series entitled „Mechanical Engineering" has reached its fourth part, „Mechanical Engineering 2004". According to the intention of the organizer - the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics - this conference will provide a continuous flow of scientific results achieved in the different fields of mechanical engineenng. Beside this, such an event can act as a forum for young scientists V and researchers to introduce their activities. i i It is a tradition of mechanical engineering conferences that the presentations focus on a Í special and prominent field. This year it is materials science. Being one of the basic scientific * ¦ fields, materials science has shown a continuous and remarkable development since the ' ¦ ancient limes, from bronze tools to semiconductors, intelligent materials and special polymers. Its role in our everyday life is indisputable, and has a significant effect on our environment too. An increasing competition may be noticed between metals, polymers and ceramics in the construction of mechanical engineering today, showing the new approach of material science. Not competing but completing. Fiber reinforced composites show the most rapid development in polymer material science. Carbon fiber for reinforcement in a Hungarian product by now. Basalt, flax, hemp or sisal may also serve m polymer composites helping the biodegradability of the synthetic polymer material. Materials science has a long and successful history in Hungary. Internationally accepted professors like Sándor Rejtő, László Gillemot, Ferenc Nagy Vasvári, Géza Bodor from Budapest, József Verő and Mihály Káldor from Miskolc established the research and development activity of materials, as well as the high level education of this field. Their students, today's professors, are their worthy followers and inheritors. After joining to the European Community, the requirements, the current advances of materials science have gained vital importance. It is our joint interest that the results of materials science and engineering be widely published, not only in the narrow expert society, but also for the civil users of these developments. Such conferences like "Mechanical Engineering 2004" provide facilities for scientists and research groups to exchange their experiments not only on materials, but also related topics like machine design, modeling and informatics. ' Professor Antal Penninger Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineenng