Conference: 2026 Foundations of Process/Product Analytics and Machine Learning (FOPAM)

This award will provide partial support for a conference titled, "Foundations of Process and Product Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence (FOPAM)," which will take place July 26-30, 2026 in Decatur, Georgia. FOPAM is for people who study how to make chemicals and materials better. The conference brings together experts who want to learn new ways to use computers and math to help make chemicals and materials. The main goal is to share ideas about how to use data to improve the way make chemicals and materials are made. The conference will have talks, workshops, and discussions about how to use data and technology to make better products and save money. The conference is open to everyone, including students, teachers, and people who work in companies that make chemicals and materials. There will be special sessions for people who work in industry to help them learn about new ideas and technologies. The conference will also have sessions for teachers and students to learn about how to use data and technology in their classes. Participants will meet other people who are interested in the same things and learn from experts. FOPAM 2026 will bridge the gap between academia and industry by fostering discussions on the application of advanced analytics and AI in process industries. The conference will focus on methodologies for analyzing complex data, including multivariate analysis, machine learning, and AI, to address challenges in process engineering. The conference will feature a diverse array of talks and workshops, including those on chemometrics, process modeling, and the integration of AI in process design and operation. The objective will be to identify technology gaps and opportunities for innovation in the process industries. The conference will also facilitate networking among researchers, industry professionals, and educators to encourage collaborations and mentorship. The FOPAM conference, initiated by CACHE Corporation, has a history of success in creating and sustaining key conferences that assess the status and define future directions in applying computing to process sciences. The upcoming conference will continue this tradition by bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in process analytics and AI. The conference will also address the need for responsible AI and workforce development, with sessions on designing the future engineer and integrating machine learning into scientific discovery. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2620738 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Evan Flach | Institution: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, NEW YORK, NY | Award Amount: $21,375 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2620738 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2620738.html