AMPP awards Avik Samanta 2026 seed grant for PFAS-free corrosion research

AMPP has named University of South Florida researcher Avik Samanta, Ph.D., as the 2026 recipient of its Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. The $38,000 award will support work on PFAS-free, self-healing metal surfaces aimed at improving corrosion protection and helping the project move toward larger federal funding.

Why it matters: - The award backs early-stage research on corrosion protection, a field with direct implications for infrastructure durability, industrial equipment and materials performance. - Samanta’s project targets PFAS-free surface engineering, aligning the research with growing pressure to reduce persistent chemicals while maintaining high-performance coatings. - The grant is meant to produce preliminary data that can help the University of South Florida team compete for larger federally funded research programs.

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 2026 recipient of the Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. - The award supports his proposal, “Laser-Textured, Thermally Healable PFAS-Free Superhydrophobic Metal Alloy Surfaces for Durable Corrosion Protection.” - The grant amount is $38,000. - AMPP announced the award on July 23, 2026, in Houston.

The details: - Samanta’s project focuses on sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The research team will study the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The project is designed to generate preliminary results for future federal funding applications. - AMPP said the Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant supports early-stage work in materials protection and performance, including corrosion, coatings and degradation research. - Raghu Srinivasan, Ph.D., chair of AMPP’s Research Society Leadership Council, said this year’s solicitation drew an exceptionally strong international pool of proposals. - Srinivasan said Samanta’s proposal addresses a major 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 work during the review process. - Samanta said the award validates his team’s vision for sustainable surface engineering. - Samanta said the funding will help the team develop PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces that improve the longevity and reliability of engineering materials in demanding environments. - Samanta said he hopes the work can lead to practical technologies that benefit industry, strengthen infrastructure and inspire future engineers and scientists. - The grant honors Dr. A. John Sedriks, whose work in corrosion control through metallurgical modifications helped shape modern corrosion science. - AMPP said the Legacy NACE Seed Grant was first awarded from 1967 to 1969 and continues through the NACE Seed Grant Program. - AMPP noted Sedriks’ work at LaQue Corrosion Technologies and with the Office of Naval Research contributed to the program’s origins.

Between the lines: - AMPP is signaling support for corrosion research that combines sustainability with near-term technical relevance. - The emphasis on PFAS-free materials suggests the field is moving toward solutions that balance performance with environmental scrutiny. - The international competition for the award also suggests AMPP sees seed funding as a way to identify promising research before larger agencies take notice.

What's next: - The University of South Florida team will use the seed money to build preliminary data on laser-textured, thermally healable surfaces. - That early research could position the project for larger federally funded initiatives if the results are strong. - More information is available on the AMPP Seed Grant webpage, the AMPP Seed Grant Recipients page and the University of South Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering website.

The bottom line: - AMPP’s 2026 seed grant puts early funding behind a PFAS-free corrosion protection approach that could shape the next phase of materials durability research.