Grainger VIP Impact Report

CALPHAD and DICTRA capabilities) that allows for the prediction of phases and their growth kinetics in alloy systems. This is extremely valuable in alloy design, process optimization, and the prediction of performance in extreme environments. It has already enhanced the quality of three of our publications — two doctoral theses and one master’s thesis. In May, I attended the International Thermal Spray Society Conference (ITSC) held in Quebec City, Canada, using the Grainger professorship funds. This conference rotates annually between North America, Europe, and Asia and is the premier conference in the world on spray-coating technologies, which has been one of my main research areas for well over a decade. I served on the organization committee for ITSC and as the session chair at the conference. International travel is not allowed on my federal grants, and the Grainger professorship funds made it possible for me to attend this important conference. I was able to bring back valuable knowledge from ITSC for the benefit of my graduate students who are working directly in this area. Finally, I used the Grainger professorship funds for the professional growth of graduate students in my group, which in turn translated to greater productivity in my research program. For example, I supported the travel of a doctoral student in my group to visit Idaho National Laboratory to perform some critical experiments. This was extremely valuable in augmenting the student’s data and enabled his graduation with a doctoral degree. I also hired my graduate student as a grader (two to three hours per week) for my course titled Principles of Corrosion, as well as a researcher in my group (for one bimonthly pay period) to provide some basic assistance with my course titled Nuclear Materials Laboratory. While providing valuable experience to the graduate students and young researchers, this allowed me more time to focus on research.

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