AMPP awards 2026 seed grant to USF researcher for PFAS-free corrosion work

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 research into laser-textured, self-healing metal surfaces designed to deliver durable, PFAS-free corrosion protection.

Why it matters: - The grant backs early-stage corrosion research aimed at replacing PFAS-based approaches with more sustainable surface protection. - The work could help materials recover resistance after mechanical damage, a potential advance for industry and infrastructure exposed to harsh environments. - AMPP’s seed grant program is designed to help researchers generate preliminary data needed for larger federally funded projects.

What happened: - AMPP named Avik Samanta, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of South Florida, as the 2026 recipient of the Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant. - The award was announced July 23, 2026. - The grant totals $38,000. - Samanta’s proposal is titled “Laser-Textured, Thermally Healable PFAS-Free Superhydrophobic Metal Alloy Surfaces for Durable Corrosion Protection.”

The details: - The project will study sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The research team will examine the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The project is intended to produce preliminary data for larger federally funded research initiatives. - AMPP says the Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant supports early-stage research in materials protection and performance across corrosion, coatings, degradation and related fields. - AMPP’s Research Society Leadership Council chair, Raghu Srinivasan, Ph.D., said this year’s solicitation drew an exceptionally strong international pool of proposals. - Srinivasan also said Samanta’s proposal addresses a significant corrosion challenge through sustainable materials and advanced surface engineering. - Srinivasan is a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. - Samanta said the award will help his team develop PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces for engineering materials in demanding environments. - Samanta said the team aims to translate the research into technologies that benefit industry, strengthen infrastructure and inspire future engineers and scientists.

Between the lines: - The selection signals continued interest in corrosion research that pairs sustainability with practical performance. - AMPP is highlighting work that could move beyond lab-scale materials into technologies with broader industrial use. - The reference to strong international competition suggests the seed grant remains a competitive gateway for emerging corrosion researchers.

What's next: - The research team will use the grant to investigate self-healing mechanisms and build the data package needed for larger grant applications. - AMPP directs readers to the AMPP Seed Grant webpage for more information. - AMPP also provides a Seed Grant recipients list and the University of South Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering website.

The bottom line: - AMPP is funding research that could make corrosion protection more durable, more sustainable and less dependent on PFAS-based materials.