MTI Scholarship Awarded to European Student

/EINPresswire.com/ ST LOUIS, Missouri — The Materials Technology Institute (MTI) has awarded its 2011 MTI Bert Krisher Memorial Scholarship to Ulrich Pflanz, who recently earned a Bachelor's Degree in Surface Technology and Materials Science at the Aalen University in Germany. MTI Board Members Robert Sinko (Eastman Chemicals) and Paul Manning (Haynes International) presented Pflanz with the scholarship at NACE's Corrosion 2011 Conference & Expo in Houston, Texas.

In 2008, MTI established the scholarship to encourage students interested in Materials Science and Technology to pursue careers in the Chemical Process Industries (CPI).

For the first time, the institute found its annual scholarship winner across an ocean. "Ulrich Pflanz was selected as the recipient of this year's MTI Bert Krisher Memorial Scholarship, the first recipient from Europe in the four-year history of this award," reported Srini Kesavan, Scholarship Committee Chair. "Ulrich's demonstrated interest and experience in materials engineering as it relates to chemical process industries separated him as the winner this year from two other strong finalists. We hope that he continues to excel in his graduate program and develops as a champion for corrosion engineering in the process industries."

Pflanz, who is currently working in the Corrosion Department of Aalen University as a Project Engineer while he explores master's programs, expressed gratitude for the $10,000 scholarship award that will help pay for the next step in his education. "It is a great honor for me to be the 2011 recipient of the MTI Bert Krisher Memorial Scholarship," he said. "In my opinion, the scholarship is the right way to attract more young people to this branch of science."

When he finishes his master's studies, Pflanz plans to look for opportunities in the CPI or the oil and gas industry. "I am not sure yet in what type of job I will end up exactly because there are so many interesting jobs out there in the materials area," he said, "but when the time is right, I am pretty sure I will find the right job."

Pflanz believes that his new association with MTI will help. "I think that MTI is a great networking platform," he explained, after presenting a paper on Development and Verification of a new SOHIC (Stress Oriented Hydrogen Induced Cracking) Test Method at the organization's EuroTAC Meeting in Leverkusen, Germany March 28-29. "Where else can you get in contact with so many materials specialists? I want to thank MTI for this great opportunity."

For more information, about the scholarship and application process, visit www.mti-global.org.

About MTI: Founded in 1977, MTI is a unique, not-for-profit technology development organization representing private industry. It sponsors projects focused on both developing new technology and transferring existing knowledge to day-to-day practice. Practical, generic, nonproprietary studies are conducted on the selection, design, fabrication, testing, inspection, and performance of materials of construction used in the process industries. The scope of work includes evaluation of metallic, and non-metallic materials, optimum design applications, fitness-for-service, mechanical integrity and life cycle determinations, and economic factors affecting performance of vessels, tanks, piping and other components. MTI is currently comprised of 55 member companies representing 13 countries.

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