The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), the global authority in materials protection and performance, recently announced Eugene B. Caldona, Ph.D., as the distinguished recipient of the 2024 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant.
Dr. Caldona is currently an assistant professor in the coatings and polymeric materials department at North Dakota State University (Fargo, North Dakota, USA).
According to AMPP, Caldona's groundbreaking proposal, "Surface-Functionalized Ground Tire Rubber Additives for Isotropically Adhesive and Cohesive Dielectric Fluoropolymer Protective Coatings," embodies the innovative spirit and research excellence the grant seeks to support.
“Dr. Caldona’s proposal demonstrates exceptional technical merit and a deep commitment to advancing our understanding of material performance,” says Douglas C. Hansen, Ph.D. and chair of AMPP’s Research Program Committee. “His work promises to make significant strides in protective coatings, a testament to the legacy of innovation and excellence Dr. Sedriks championed throughout his career.”
The Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant, valued at $35,000, is designed to foster the development of cutting-edge research programs in materials protection and performance. Its focus encompasses a broad spectrum of critical areas such as corrosion, coatings, degradation, and related fields, all while aiming to address some of the most pressing challenges in these domains.
“I am deeply honored to receive the grant,” Caldona says. “This grant not only recognizes our team's creativity and hard work but also affirms the potential of our research to make meaningful contributions to the field of corrosion and materials science. We are excited to embark on this project, aiming to develop sustainable solutions that can significantly impact the durability and performance of protective coatings."
Since its inaugural award in 1967-1969, the Legacy NACE Seed Grant has continued to honor the memory of Dr. A. John Sedriks, a pioneer in corrosion control through metallurgical modifications.
His influential work, particularly at LaQue Corrosion Technologies and with the U.S. Office of Naval Research, has left an indelible mark on corrosion research and the broader field of materials science. The grant pays tribute to Dr. Sedriks’ significant contributions and his pivotal role in starting the NACE Seed Grant Program, all while underlining the enduring legacy of his work in advancing research and innovation.
“The Research Program Committee congratulates Dr. Caldona on his achievement and looks forward to the advancements his work will bring to the field of materials protection and performance,” says Dr. Hansen, a distinguished research scientist at the University of Dayton Research Institute and joint faculty member in the university’s engineering, chemical, and materials engineering department.
For more information about the grant and AMPP, visit www.ampp.org. To learn more about the North Dakota State University's Coatings and Polymeric Materials Program, visit www.ndsu.edu/cpm.
About AMPP
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is a global community of professionals focused on the protection of assets and the performance of industrial and natural materials. Established in 2021 following a merger between NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, the new association unites 145 years of corrosion control and protective coatings expertise and service to industry and members worldwide.
Today, AMPP is the world’s largest corrosion control and protective coatings organization, serving more than 35,000 members in over 140 countries. AMPP is headquartered in the United States with offices in Houston and Pittsburgh, along with additional offices in Brazil, Canada, China, Dubai (training center), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
Source: AMPP, www.ampp.org.