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

AMPP has awarded University of South Florida researcher Avik Samanta its 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant to support PFAS-free, self-healing corrosion protection work. The $38,000 grant backs early-stage research that could lead to larger federal funding and new durable surface technologies.

Why it matters: - The grant funds early research on PFAS-free corrosion protection, a materials challenge with direct implications for infrastructure durability and industrial reliability. - Samanta's project aims to create self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after damage, which could reduce maintenance needs and extend service life. - The award also helps generate preliminary data needed 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 announcement came 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 designed to recover corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The project will examine the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The research team will use the grant to build preliminary results that can support a larger federal funding application. - AMPP says the Seed Grant supports early-stage work in corrosion, coatings, degradation and related fields. - AMPP describes itself as a global authority in materials protection and performance. - 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 reflects the grant's mission by addressing a significant corrosion challenge through sustainable materials and advanced surface engineering. - Srinivasan added that 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 sustainable surface engineering and will help advance practical technologies for industry, infrastructure and future engineers.

Between the lines: - The award points to continued interest in PFAS-free materials as industry faces pressure to reduce reliance on persistent chemicals. - AMPP is backing research that blends sustainability with surface engineering, signaling that corrosion prevention is increasingly tied to environmental performance as well as durability. - The competitive review process and the mention of an international pool suggest the grant carries standing beyond a routine academic award. - The seed-grant structure is designed to bridge lab-scale ideas and larger-scale funding, which can be crucial for early-career researchers.

What's next: - Samanta's team will use the grant to study self-healing behavior on laser-textured surfaces and collect data for future proposals. - AMPP directs readers to its Seed Grant webpage for more information. - AMPP also posted a list of past Seed Grant recipients. - More information on the University of South Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is available on the department's website.

The bottom line: - AMPP is betting that PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces could become a practical path to longer-lasting corrosion protection.