IMCS at WCCM 2024 in Vancouver: A memorable experience

30 July 2024

Professor Alexander Popp represented IMCS at the 16th World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM 2024), held from July 21-26, 2024, in the stunning city of Vancouver, Canada. This prestigious event marked the first time Canada hosted a major congress on computational mechanics, and it was a resounding success.

Presentation on Digital Twins in Critical Infrastructure

During the congress, Professor Popp had the pleasure of presenting a talk titled "Computational Mechanics and Scientific Machine Learning for Digital Twins in Critical Infrastructure Protection."  This presentation was part of a minisymposium organized by esteemed colleagues Alvaro Coutinho, Alessandro Reali, and Gianluigi Rozza. The session was well-received and sparked engaging discussions on the integration of computational mechanics and machine learning to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructures.

Promoting WCCM 2026 in Munich

As one of the three chairpersons for the upcoming WCCM 2026 in Munich, Professor Popp took the opportunity to promote this future event. He extended a warm invitation to the global computational mechanics community to join us in Munich from July 19-24, 2026. The event promises to be a landmark gathering, combining the World Congress on Computational Mechanics (WCCM) and the European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering (ECCOMAS), and will be held at the International Congress Center Messe München.

Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the WCCM 2024 organizing committee for their exceptional efforts in making this congress a memorable experience. Special thanks to the congress chairman, Professor Artem Korobenko from the University of Calgary, for his leadership and the meticulous organization of the event at the award-winning Vancouver Convention Center, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Vancouver’s waterfront and mountains.

Meeting a Legend: Professor Robert L. Taylor

One of the personal highlights of the congress for Professor Popp was the opportunity to meet and interact with Professor Bob Taylor from UC Berkeley during the conference banquet (see photo). At 92 years old, Professor Taylor remains a towering figure in the field of computational mechanics, known for his pioneering work in finite element methods. His sharp mind and captivating stories about the history of our field were truly inspiring.

Conclusion

WCCM 2024 was an enriching experience, filled with insightful presentations, fruitful discussions, and the chance to connect with dear colleagues and friends in computational mechanics. We look forward to continuing these conversations and collaborations at WCCM 2026 in Munich. See you there!