Charlotte, NC – February 23, 2026 – The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) is proud to announce that Erik M. Mueller of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will deliver the keynote presentation at MTI’s 2026 Symposium, which takes place February 23–26, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mueller, a leading expert from the NTSB’s Materials Laboratory Division in Washington, DC with 18 years' experience, will present “Using Novel Technologies to Perform Accident Investigations: Benefits and Challenges in Future NTSB Materials Laboratory Investigations.” His keynote will explore how the NTSB has enhanced traditional fracture analysis with advanced scanning and modeling techniques to uncover critical insights in transportation accidents involving pipelines, rail systems, and hazardous materials.
Drawing on real-world investigations, Mueller will highlight how void-shape modeling and dent analysis directly informed successful safety recommendations—resulting in immediate, lasting industry changes. He will also address the emerging challenges posed by structural composites, additive manufacturing variability, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in transportation safety and materials reliability.
MTI’s Symposium 2026 will bring together global materials and reliability experts from across the chemical processing, industrial, and energy sectors. This year’s program promises compelling technical sessions, networking opportunities, and thought leadership that will shape the future of materials technology and safety.
Register and learn more at: https://www.mti-global.org/mtisymposium/home
About MTI
The Materials Technology Institute is a global network recognized as the preferred source of material technology solutions for industrial process companies. For more information on our unique technical community and options to collaborate, visit www.mti-global.org.
Contact: Kirk Richardson
Materials Technology Institute (MTI)
Email: krichardson@mti-global.org
Website: www.mti-global.org/mtisymposium/home