Department of Mechanical & Energy Engineering doctoral candidate Tonoy Chowdhury’s research is being recognized by both the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Chowdhury is working with Nandika D’Souza, Regents Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the college, on early detection of corrosion in steel pipes.

Chowdhury is developing a sensor made out of electrospun polymer fibers that give real-time corrosion data under protective coating systems.

“Corrosion in underground and submerged steel pipe is a global problem. Many sensing systems have been developed in detecting this corrosion, but none of these sensors can measure real time corrosion process under any coating systems,” said Chowdhury. “Tonoy’s success reflects the strength of UNT and the College of Engineering in producing impactful research. We put students first,” D’souza said. “Tonoy’s research is collaborative with multiple department faculty in electrical, materials science and engineering, mechanical and energy engineering and engineering technology. Students embrace the framework of learning the strengths from different disciplines. This makes them communicate well in conferences and in the workplace.”

Chowdhury was awarded first place at SPE International Polyolefins Conference in the February 2019 poster competition and the People’s Choice award at the IMECE International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition in November 2019.