AMPP awards 2026 seed grant to USF corrosion researcher

AMPP has named University of South Florida assistant professor Avik Samanta, Ph.D., as the 2026 recipient of its Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. The $38,000 award will support PFAS-free, self-healing surface research aimed at improving corrosion protection for engineering materials.

Why it matters: - The $38,000 grant backs early-stage corrosion research with potential to reduce reliance on PFAS-based materials. - Samanta’s project could lead to self-healing surfaces that restore corrosion resistance after damage. - The work is designed to generate preliminary data for larger federally funded research efforts.

What happened: - AMPP named Avik Samanta, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Florida, as the 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant recipient. - The award recognizes a proposal titled “Laser-Textured, Thermally Healable PFAS-Free Superhydrophobic Metal Alloy Surfaces for Durable Corrosion Protection.” - AMPP announced the selection on July 23, 2026.

The details: - Samanta’s proposal focuses on sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces. - The research aims to restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The team will study the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The grant is intended to help the team produce preliminary data for larger grant applications. - The Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant supports early-stage research in materials protection and performance. - The program funds work in corrosion, coatings, degradation, and related fields. - Raghu Srinivasan, Ph.D., chair of AMPP’s Research Society Leadership Council, said this year’s solicitation drew an exceptionally strong international pool of submissions. - Srinivasan said Samanta’s proposal addresses a significant corrosion challenge through sustainable materials and advanced surface engineering. - Srinivasan also said the RSLC congratulates Samanta and thanked the Seed Grant Task Force committee for its volunteer review work. - Samanta said the award affirms his team’s vision for advancing sustainable surface engineering. - Samanta said the funding will help develop PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces that improve longevity and reliability in demanding environments. - Samanta said he hopes the research will translate into practical technologies that benefit industry, strengthen infrastructure, and inspire future engineers and scientists. - The Legacy NACE Seed Grant was first awarded in 1967–1969. - The grant honors Dr. A. John Sedriks, a pioneer in corrosion control through metallurgical modifications. - Sedriks’ work at LaQue Corrosion Technologies and with the Office of Naval Research helped shape modern corrosion science and the NACE Seed Grant Program.

Between the lines: - AMPP is signaling interest in corrosion solutions that are both high-performance and environmentally safer. - The award also shows how seed funding is being used to de-risk newer materials concepts before larger federal proposals. - The strong international applicant pool suggests broader competition for early-career corrosion research support.

What's next: - Samanta’s team will use the grant to study self-healing behavior on laser-textured surfaces. - The research will feed into plans for larger federally funded initiatives. - AMPP directs readers to the AMPP Seed Grant webpage, the Seed Grant recipients list, and the University of South Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.