AMPP Interview Series

Introducing AMPP’s 2024 Whitney Award Winner

Dr. Sanna Virtanen, Professor for Surface Science and Corrosion in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, is the 2024 recipient of AMPP’s prestigious Willis Whitney Technical Achievement Award.

In this roundtable conversation also featuring Raul Rebak of GE Global Research and Dr. John Scully of the University of Virginia, Dr. Virtanen shares highlights from her distinguished career and lessons learned for the next generation, along with insight on what the Whitney Award means to her career.

Rebak and Dr. Scully — who currently serve as AMPP’s Program Committee Chair and Task Force Chair, respectively — add perspective on the AMPP Awards process and the ways in which winners will be honored and celebrated at the 2024 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March.

Corrosion & Health: Metals and Coatings with Toxic Effects on the Body

Dr. Gerald Frankel and Dr. Yolanda Hedberg join CORROSION journal for the first episode in a special series exploring corrosion and health to discuss metals and coatings with toxic effects on the body.

This episode explores some of the metals, materials, and chemicals that have negative impacts on the body, such as chromates, preservatives in water-based paints, BPA, and more, along with some of the challenges in replacing these materials.

For more information about this topic, contact Gerald Frankel and Yolanda Hedberg.  

How Infrastructure Insurance Relates to Corrosion Engineering Systems

As part of a new task force, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) is bringing together stakeholders from a variety of roles to better understand the relationship that corrosion engineering systems have within the infrastructure insurance industry.

In this conversation, members involved with that task force—GPI’s Tony Serdenes, Nick Kuntz of Alliant Insurance Services, and David A. Scotti of Scotti Law Group—share their perspectives on challenges and best practices that could benefit those involved in designing, specifying, supplying, and performing those services, specifically as they relate to insurance and risk management. The roundtable discussion also explores various paths that AMPP can take to address those challenges, as well as ways in which our industry can work together to develop best practices for risk management and insurance needs.

Coatings Knowledge for Non-Coating Inspectors: Why It Matters

On April 30 and May 1 in Houston, AMPP is welcoming members and guests throughout the industry to the first Coatings for Non-Coating Inspectors conference. Jorge T. Reyna, conference chair and a certified inspector (JRSA Inspections) and instructor, explains the many benefits for attendees and how it all came to be.

Topics discussed include key challenges that non-coating inspectors often face; why a better understanding of coatings can enhance the overall effectiveness of non-coating inspectors; areas in which their roles are changing; and strategies to bridge the gap between traditional inspection practices and the specialized knowledge required to understand coatings.

Satellite or Cellular? Evaluating Pipeline Integrity Monitoring Solutions

When considering remote monitoring units (RMUs) for pipeline integrity monitoring, one of the biggest decisions is whether to select an RMU system that uses cellular technology to transmit data, or to purchase units that send data via satellites.

Polly Stewart, head of marketing and legal insight at Abriox, joins this sponsored Materials Performance (MP) podcast to discuss how both platforms work; what users need to consider when selecting cellular or satellite-based RMUs; and which, as a technical engineering expert, Abriox prefers.

The Future of Workforce Development in Skilled Trades

This roundtable panel features Alan Thomas, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP); Dr. Rick Polanin, past president of the American Welding Society (AWS); and Ricky Morgan, past president of The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT).

Topics include the current state of workforce development, as well as common challenges encountered, innovative solutions, and initiatives where these associations can work together. Other discussion points are recent technological advancements within those industries; lessons learned from each panelist’s career journey; and the role of diversity and inclusion in building the workforce of the future.

What’s MIC Got to Do with It?

Dr. Jason Lee, with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Dr. Susmitha Kotu, with DNV, join our CORROSION journal podcast series to discuss microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).

This episode explains what MIC is and which industries it affects, challenges in predicting and mitigating MIC, new advancements in the field, and areas that need future research.

What Strategic CP Automation Means to MOBILTEX and the Industry

Future-focused integrity and corrosion mitigation program directors are recognizing many operational challenges that the future may hold. In turn, they are looking to IIoT companies like MOBILTEX to deliver both cutting-edge field hardware, as well as advanced cloud-based software capabilities (with the necessary security), to address these challenges—all while simultaneously improving their system performance.

Will Maize, Director of Product Management and Corporate Strategy at MOBILTEX, recently spoke with Materials Performance (MP) Magazine about the meaning of strategic cathodic protection (CP) automation and why it could be a key solution. Other points of discussion include how IIoT technology has evolved in recent years; strategies to bring the future into the present; and current focal points for the industry.

Dave Evans on AMPP’s Industrial Coating Application Launch

Dave Evans, director of business development at AMPP, explains what the newly released Industrial Coating Application (ICA) program could mean for members and the industry at large. Topics include how and why the new program was developed; updated features and opportunities to address current marketplace needs; and how it could help shape AMPP’s future education and training offerings.

Sustainable Solutions for the Built Environment

Job Coenen, AkzoNobel’s sustainability program manager and a strategic global corporate advisory board member of the World Green Building Council, tells CoatingsPro Magazine how sustainable solutions for the built environment can combat the challenges of producing more green buildings.

Discussion topics include the role of circularity in product development; science-based targets and goals; and how new technologies can help the cause.