Gary Germanton, a graduate student in chemical engineering at Florida State University and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, was recently selected for a prestigious national fellowship to support his studies in advanced engineering. (M Wallheiser/FAMU-FSU Engineering)
First-year Florida State University engineering doctoral student Gary Germanton recently received the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship, considered one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for graduate students beginning their studies.
Germanton is studying chemical engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and does his research at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) in collaboration with researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The NDSEG fellowship provides three years of funding to support Germanton’s research on advanced materials of interest to the military. The study may lead to enhanced 3D printed materials and improved processing methods.
“The revolutionary advancements in materials technology will benefit the U.S. Airforce greatly,” Germanton said. “It will effect everything from hypersonic vehicles and jet engines to the advanced materials needed for aircraft components that can withstand extreme conditions.”
Germanton’s research aims to understand the changes occurring in material structure during the processing of ceramic composites and tries to link it to the resultant property such as enhanced toughness. State of the art techniques in X-ray scattering at Brookhaven National Labs are used for this purpose. The research effort will help with the development of new ceramic composites and aid in the 3D printing of materials for different aircraft applications.
“By understanding how ceramic microstructures are affected during the thermal treatment used in processing,” Germanton says, “we can improve the design of polymer-derived ceramic materials and optimize processing methodologies.”
Subramanian Ramakrishnan, a professor in chemical and biomedical engineering and Germanton’s research advisor said, “NDSEG grants are important for student researchers and gives them the support and motivation they need to succeed in graduate study. This is a very prestigious opportunity. Gary was chosen from a pool of 3,080 applicants this year. It also gives him the opportunity to work closely with Air Force Research Labs which will be great for his career.”
The three-year NDSEG Fellowship is one of the most comprehensive available, covering tuition, fees, and travel for the scholar. The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship is funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office (AFOSR), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
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