Some changes are the result of biology and the passage of time, within the natural cycle or order of things. Others are self-generated, under our own control and resulting from willful efforts, or dependent upon encounters with significant others—family, friends, colleagues, and others close to us. Still, other changes occur... more

Some changes are the result of biology and the passage of time, within the natural cycle or order of things. Others are self-generated, under our own control and resulting from willful efforts, or dependent upon encounters with significant others—family, friends, colleagues, and others close to us. Still, other changes occur because of circumstance or fate, a proverbial "date with destiny" and often beyond what we feel is our control. Whether it is our personal life or occupational, like metalcasting, this change can facilitate transition and transformation. I have coined the term metalmorphasis and this lecture as a reflection on how to embrace change, recognize the opportunities presented and then utilize it as a vehicle for new beginnings. This is not just a philosophical dissertation, but also a look how we as metallurgist and metalcasters practice the application and control of input variables (time, temperature, pressure, chemical ingredients, reactions, etc.) to change and transform metals, creating a metalmorphasis. less