Ray Fernando of Cal Poly State University discusses nano-particles at the Focus 2004 conference at Michigan State University in Troy.
The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology's 29th annual Focus Conference 2004, a one-day scientific and educational program held at Michigan State University in Troy, drew a record 239 participants.

With the theme "Racing to a High Performance Finish," the program's 16 presentations covered advances in raw materials, new developments in test methods and a variety of issues related to coatings formulation, application and performance. The Focus moderators were Walter Meyer (DuPont Performance Coatings), Michael Hutto (PVS Norwood Chemicals), Donal Emch (PPG Industries) and John Duggan (GM Corp.).

Two short courses featured distinguished lecturers Clifford Schoff (Schoff Associates), speaking about "Coatings Defects in the Plant and in the Field," and Loren Hill, a coatings consultant, who discussed "Crosslinking in Coatings." The Coatings Products Showcase was expanded this year to 20 displays.