AMPP awards 2026 Sedriks Seed Grant to USF researcher

AMPP has named University of South Florida mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Avik Samanta the 2026 Dr. A. John Sedriks Seed Grant recipient. The $38,000 award backs PFAS-free, self-healing corrosion protection research aimed at improving durability and paving the way for larger federal funding.

Why it matters: - The $38,000 grant supports early-stage corrosion research that could lead to PFAS-free coatings and surfaces with longer service life. - The project targets damage recovery in metal alloys, a problem that affects infrastructure, industrial equipment and other engineering materials. - AMPP uses the Seed Grant to help researchers generate preliminary data needed for larger federally funded projects.

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

The details: - The research focuses on sustainable, PFAS-free self-healing surfaces that can restore corrosion resistance after mechanical damage. - The funding will support work on the fundamental mechanisms of self-healing on laser-fabricated surfaces. - The project is expected to produce preliminary data for larger research efforts. - AMPP says the Seed Grant supports work in corrosion, coatings, degradation and related disciplines. - Raghu Srinivasan, Ph.D., chair of AMPP’s Research Society Leadership Council, said this year’s competition drew an exceptionally strong international pool of proposals. - Srinivasan said Samanta’s proposal addresses a significant corrosion challenge through sustainable materials and advanced surface engineering. - Srinivasan also said the RSLC thanks the Seed Grant Task Force committee for its volunteer work during the review process. - Samanta said the award validates his team’s goal of advancing sustainable surface engineering for corrosion protection and materials durability. - Samanta said the research team aims to develop PFAS-free, self-healing surfaces that improve the longevity and reliability of engineering materials in demanding environments. - Samanta said he hopes the work will translate into practical technologies that benefit industry, strengthen infrastructure and inspire future engineers and scientists.

Between the lines: - The award signals continued interest in replacing PFAS-based approaches with more sustainable corrosion-protection methods. - The emphasis on preliminary data suggests the grant is designed as a launch point, not full project funding. - The recognition also reflects AMPP’s push to back early-career and early-stage ideas with potential real-world impact.

What's next: - Samanta’s team will use the award to study self-healing behavior on laser-textured metal alloy surfaces. - The research is intended to support future applications for larger federal grants. - AMPP directs readers to the Seed Grant webpage for more information. - AMPP also provides past Seed Grant recipients and USF’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for additional background.

The bottom line: - AMPP is betting on PFAS-free, self-healing surface research as a practical path to more durable corrosion protection.