| Washington,
D.C., will be the focal point of the international community for
Pulsed Power science, technology, and applications when nearly 600
attendees of the 17th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference
(PPC2009) converge on the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel from June
28th through July 2nd, 2009.
The Pulsed Power Conference is held biennially and serves as the
principal forum for the exchange of information on pulsed power
science, technology and engineering. Historically, the conference
has significant international participation, and the location of
this 17th meeting in Washington, D.C., will only serve to maintain
that tradition. The conference proceedings also serve as the major
archival resource of papers published in this field.
The setting for the technical and social events of PPC2009 is the
Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, an historic site in the heart of downtown
Washington. Built in 1925, the Mayflower Hotel was clearly intended
to serve an elegant and powerful clientele, with gold embellishments
exceeded only by the Library of Congress building. Still the largest
luxury hotel in the District of Columbia, its location in the heart
of business and government districts makes it a popular center for
high-powered political meetings. The Mayflower has hosted numerous
major D.C. social events, including an inaugural ball for every
U.S. President since the days of Calvin Coolidge. Coined “D.C.’s
second best address” by President Truman when he lived there
for the first 90 days of his presidency, the Mayflower is routinely
frequented by celebrities, international royalty, and diplomats,
because of its atmosphere and access to the corridors of power.
With a recent multimillion dollar restoration and upgrade, the Hotel
has all the modern amenities that one would expect while maintaining
a sense of elegance and charm, justifying its place as a “grand
dame” of Washington.
As the U.S. national capital, the District of Columbia is a vibrant
city filled with opportunities to explore grand government buildings,
monuments, memorials, museums, art, theatre, music, culture, nightlife,
and more. There is something for everyone to experience, attendees
and companions alike. The Conference will be held within easy walking
distance of the National Mall, the focal point for many visitors,
lined on all sides with many of the most popular destinations of
interest. Here you’ll find the regal U.S. Capitol building
with its newly opened 600,000 sq. ft. Visitor Center, a host of
Smithsonian museums, and well-recognized monuments, including the
Washington, the Lincoln, and the Jefferson Memorials. The D.C. metro
subway system is easy to use, has a friendly environment, and can
transport the more adventurous to farther flung locales such as
the National Zoo, Old Town Alexandria, and the Kennedy Center for
the Performing Arts.
In addition to a great venue, the conference will feature a varied
technical program which offers a unique opportunity for IEEE members
and nonmembers alike to learn more about the technology and science
that underpins many of the world’s large science machines.
Randy Curry, Technical Program Chair of PPC2009 notes, “We
have expanded the conference technical subjects to include a number
of exciting new areas. These include Pulsed Power applications in
alternative energy, new dielectrics for energy storage, explosive
pulsed power sources, as well as industrial, commercial, and medical
applications. These emerging areas and ongoing fundamental research
provide the basis for new pulsed power applications in fields like
fusion, high energy-density physics, and pulsed power sources.”
With an expected 400 oral and poster presentations, PPC2009 speakers
will address the following major topics:
- Dielectrics and Energy Storage M
- Microwave and RF Sources
- Charged Particle Beams and Sources
- High Energy Density Plasmas
- Pulsed Power Switches and Components
- Power Electronics and Systems
- Industrial, Commercial, and Medical Applications
- Explosive and Compact Pulsed Power
- Pulsed Power Sources
- Pulsed Power Systems
- Diagnostics
PPC2009 is managed under the auspices of the Pulsed
Power Science and Technology (PPS&T) Standing Technical Committee
under the NPSS. Edl Schamiloglu, past chair of the 2007 Conference
and current chair of the PPS&T Committee spoke of the history
of this conference and its impact on the Pulse Power community,
“We are truly excited that the 17th IEEE International Pulsed
Power Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., during such an
historic period in America’s history. The conference venue,
located only four blocks from the White House, will allow conference
attendees and their companions to witness history while they participate
in technical discussions. With such a high density of leading science
policy makers in Washington, we will not be surprised if a few take
some time to visit our Conference.”
Conference General Chair Frank Peterkin, a Principal Engineer at
the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, expects
large international participation and chose D.C. as the conference
venue with foreign attendees in mind. “Our conference has
never been held in Washington, D.C., and it’s obviously a
very cosmopolitan location, so attendees from any country can find
something new to explore and yet still something familiar to make
them feel at home. There were more than 30 countries represented
at the 2007 conference, and I would anticipate a similar number
for PPC2009.”
“U.S. scientists and engineers should also be highly motivated
to attend,” Peterkin continued, “The Pulsed Power community
in the U.S. is strongly influenced by federal spending on research.
A conference attendee can easily schedule other related meetings
with sponsoring agencies. In addition, the location is a magnificent
tourist attraction, and I’m hoping many attendees will consider
bringing their families along. We’ll have a fun companion
program to encourage exploration, and we selected the conference
schedule to allow for the enjoyment of the National Fourth of July
Independence Day celebration immediately afterwards. It will be
easy to plan an extended stay and enjoy the nation’s best
fireworks show within walking distance of the Conference hotel.”
Students have a chance to enjoy the show too, as PPC2009 has budgeted
generously for competitively awarded grants to offset some travel
costs. There will also be an extensive Exhibitor Program to offer
students and professionals alike more insight to the latest products
that industry has to offer and a Job Placement Center to help those
seeking new employment opportunities in industry, academia, or federal
agencies.
The PPC2009 organizers are working hard to make this a memorable
conference, bringing together an enthusiastic international technical
community and world-class surroundings to guarantee a rewarding
professional and personal experience. For up-to-date information
about PPC2009 and a downloadable brochure visit the PPC2009 website
at www.ece.missouri.edu/ppc2009.
Frank Peterkin, General Chair of PPC2009 can be reached at fepeterkin@aol.com.
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