Christopher Wiernicki
University Partnership Symposium spotlights groundbreaking research that will contribute to sustainable solutions for industry.
(Houston –) ABS, a leading provider of maritime and offshore classification services, revealed significant advances in technology at its recent University Partnership Symposium in Houston. The research ABS is funding through some of the top universities around the world will lead to disruptive technology that will impact the role of classification.
Academic leaders from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Michigan, George Washington University and the State University of New York Maritime College presented at the ABS-hosted event, which engaged participants from academia and industry.
“ABS is investing in research that will drive game-changing innovation and technology, ” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J Wiernicki. “Our global innovation ecosystem includes ABS engineers and scientists at six technology centers around the world, partnerships with prestigious academic institutions, scholarship programs, and contributions to academic infrastructure and chair endowments.”
Wiernicki added, “ABS believes the Class of the Future will be characterized as more condition-based, more continuous-based and more risk-based.” Targeted research is being carried out in support of this. The University Partnership Symposium served as a forum for top US universities to present the results of ABS-funded initiatives that will be the building blocks of Class of the Future, inviting input from industry participants that will be used to refine ABS research efforts.
The symposium featured three of ABS’ core technology focus areas. According to ABS Chief Technology Officer Howard Fireman, “The programs highlighted at this forum emphasize some of the most critical technologies for Class of the Future, including sensors and autonomous inspection, materials innovation and nanotechnology and the application of analytical tools like computational fluid dynamics. ABS bridges the gap between research and application – partnering with academia and industry to develop and advance sustainable industry solutions that foster new ways of thinking and working that support our mission.”
This type of collaboration and knowledge-sharing are critical to expediting innovation. Through symposia like this one, ABS will continue to convene industry and academia to discuss key areas to benefit industry and spur innovation. Through its extensive research initiatives, ABS will be instrumental in developing not only new tools and techniques, but new ways of problem-solving and decision-making.
About ABS
Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life and property and preserving the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets.
