Open to national and international applicants attending an accredited college, NASF’s Scholarship Program supports student research in plating and surface finishing science and engineering. Applications for the 2014-2015 school year are due December 9, 2014.
Undergraduate and graduate students studying chemical engineering, material science or engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, environmental engineering or chemistry are encouraged to apply. Undergraduates must be a junior in standing or above when applying and must be of senior standing for the 2014-2015 academic year. Honorary scholarship recipients will each receive an award in the amount of $1,500 USD toward their study and/or research related to the advancement of the plating and surface finishing industries. Interested applicants should visit NASF.org/Scholarships for complete program information.
NASF is pleased to congratulate these 2013 scholarship award winners for their contributions to the future of the surface finishing industry. Each recipient was chosen on the basis of four major factors: (1) academic record, (2) personal statement, (3) work experience and (4) extracurricular activities.
Harman Khare
Harman Khare is a postdoctoral researcher in nanotribology at the University of Pennsylvania. His research is focused on multi-scale experimental studies in the tribology of solid lubricant materials, such as surface coatings and nanocomposite materials, and conventional engine oils for reducing friction and wear. The NASF Educational Scholarship has enabled Khare to communicate his research to his peers in surface mechanics and tribology and the broader science and engineering community.
Yunfei Xu
Yunfei Xu is a PhD candidate in chemistry at Harvard University. Having previously studied noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for water splitting reactions, his current research is focused on surface chemistry and catalysis. Passionate about extracurricular activities, Yunfei Xu co-authored 10 publications, including research articles, reviews, a book chapter and 2 patents during his undergraduate. In 2013/2014, he served as a fellow in both Venture Club and the Alumni Relations board of the Harvard Chinese Students and Scholars Association (HCSSA). Xu is now the 2014/2015 co-chair of Alumni Relations for HCSSA.
Hao Song
Hao Song is a PhD candidate in chemical engineering and materials science at Wayne State University. He is currently developing a sustainability metrics system to comprehensively evaluate the sustainability performance of electroplating systems. Song recognizes the significant environmental and social challenges the surface finishing industry faces. His goal is to help engineers have a better understanding of electroplating systems from a sustainability point of view to guide appropriate decisions toward sustainability development.
Robert Swasey
Robert Swasey is an undergraduate manufacturing engineering technology major at Brigham Young University. He began to explore the possibility of a career in surface finishing after taking a material removal class, where he was introduced to a number of surface finishing technologies and manufacturing processes. In addition to landing an overseas manufacturing internship related to surface finishing, Swasey’s long-term goal is to enter the aerospace industry or medical equipment industry upon graduation.