AMPP awards 2026 seed grant to University of South Florida researcher

AMPP has selected Avik Samanta, Ph.D., of the University of South Florida for its 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant, a $38,000 award for early-stage corrosion protection research. The project aims to develop PFAS-free, self-healing metal surfaces that could improve durability after damage and help pave the way for larger federally funded work.

Why it matters: - The grant backs early research that could lead to more durable corrosion protection without PFAS, a class of chemicals drawing growing concern. - The project could help improve the lifespan of engineering materials used in demanding environments. - AMPP’s seed grant program is designed to support research that can grow into larger federally funded initiatives.

What happened: - AMPP named Avik Samanta, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the University of South Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. - The award was announced July 23, 2026. - The grant amount is $38,000. - Samanta’s proposal is titled “Laser-Textured, Thermally Healable PFAS-Free Superhydrophobic Metal Alloy Surfaces for Durable Corrosion Protection.”

The details: - The research focuses on sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The team plans to study the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The grant will support preliminary data collection for future federally funded research applications. - AMPP says the seed grant supports early-stage work in corrosion, coatings, degradation and related disciplines. - Raghu Srinivasan, Ph.D., chair of AMPP’s Research Society Leadership Council, said this year’s competition drew an exceptionally strong international pool of proposals. - Srinivasan said Samanta’s proposal addresses a significant corrosion challenge through sustainable materials and advanced surface engineering. - Srinivasan also praised the Seed Grant Task Force committee for its review work. - Samanta said the award will help his team develop PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces that improve the longevity and reliability of engineering materials. - Samanta said he hopes the research will translate into practical technologies that benefit industry, strengthen infrastructure and inspire future engineers and scientists.

Between the lines: - AMPP is steering early funding toward materials research that blends sustainability with industrial durability. - The recognition also signals interest in surface-engineering approaches that can repair damage instead of only resisting it. - The award fits into a longer research lineage tied to Dr. A. John Sedriks, whose work helped shape modern corrosion science. - The legacy Seed Grant was first awarded during 1967–1969 and honors Sedriks, a pioneer in corrosion control through metallurgical modifications. - Sedriks’ work at LaQue Corrosion Technologies and with the Office of Naval Research helped establish the NACE Seed Grant Program.

What's next: - Samanta’s team will use the funding to generate preliminary results for larger research proposals. - AMPP directs readers to the Seed Grant program page for more information. - AMPP also links to past Seed Grant recipients and the University of South Florida’s mechanical and aerospace engineering department.

The bottom line: - AMPP is putting seed funding behind PFAS-free corrosion protection research that could scale from lab work to real-world materials applications.