By Geoff S. Fein, Office of Naval Research, Corporate Strategic Communications
ARLINGTON, Va.--To further its global outreach, officials from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will showcase science and technology efforts ranging from energy and power to corrosion research Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the seventh annual Exponaval 2010 in Valparaiso, Chile.
“Successfully delivering new and innovative capabilities to future U.S. naval forces requires broad exposure to good ideas,” said Dr. Clayton Stewart, ONR Global's technical director who is attending the conference. “ONR Global's presence at Exponaval, the largest navy-focused event in Latin America, affords us the opportunity to develop and grow partnerships and exchange ideas with many of the best scientists and engineers throughout the region and from across the globe."
ONR Global serves as the conduit between ONR, the Naval Research Enterprise, the naval fleet/forces and the international science community. Its other domestic and international offices are located in Washington, D.C., London, Tokyo and Singapore.
On day three of the conference, ONR Global and U.S. Navy representatives as well as officials from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia will discuss topics including ONR power and energy focus areas; current U.S. Navy corrosion concerns; corrosion research at ONR and the Naval Research Laboratory; Colombian navy science and technology--applications and use in emergency situations; and Chile’s salvage experiences in the aftermath of the tsunami of Feb. 27, 2010.
Exponaval 2010 aims to contribute to the development of national maritime awareness, as well as demonstrate the technological level and shipbuilding capacity of Chile. The conference is intended to be a platform of dissemination and discussion regarding naval power in Latin America, conference organizers said.
“The hard work of ONR Global's regional office in Santiago, along with other Exponaval sponsors has made the conference a success,” Stewart said. “The Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr's repeat attendance at the venue underscores the value it brings to the U.S. Navy's scientific community."
The four-day conference brings together more than 150 Chilean and foreign companies as well as delegations from 67 countries.