2015 T.C. Graham Prize Winners

The team consisting of Elisa Cantergiani, Ph.D. student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa; Colin Scott, research scientist, CanmetMATERIALS; Benjamin Lawrence, Ph.D. student, Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia; and Chad Sinclair, associate professor, Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, were declared winners of the inaugural T.C. Graham Prize for their entry entitled “High-Strength, Interstitial-Free Steel Obtained Using FeC Amorphous Films and Induction Heating for Packaging Applications and Cladding With Lighter Metals for Auto Body Panels.” They shared a US$20,000 cash prize. The T.C. Graham Prize was awarded during the 2015 Italy Steel Forum in Dalmine, Italy, on 23 October 2015.

   

Elisa Cantergiani, Ph.D.
student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa

 

Benjamin Lawrence, Ph.D.
student, Department of Materials Engineering

 

Colin Scott
research scientist, CanmetMATERIALS

 

Chad Sinclair
associate professor, Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia

Cantergiani gave the presentation before a group of five jurors on 30 September via live video conference. During the conference, each of the four finalists had 10 minutes to present their submission to the jury, followed by a brief question and answer session.

Entries were judged on innovation, practical application, performance and marketability. Sustainability initiatives relative to profitability, energy intensity, safety, environmental impact and overall life-cycle assessment were also evaluated.
 
The contest jury included:

  • Jim Baske, chief executive officer, ArcelorMittal North America Flat Rolled Operations

  • John Ferriola, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Nucor Corp.

  • Mario Longhi, president and chief executive officer, United States Steel Corporation

  • Mark Millet, president and chief executive officer, Steel Dynamics Inc.

  • Jim Wainscott, chairman, president and chief executive officer, AK Steel Corp.

Established in April 2014 with a US$100,000 donation to the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) by Mr. Thomas C. Graham Sr., the purpose of the T.C. Graham Fund for Innovation in Steel Application is to sponsor an annual contest to encourage and recognize innovative applications for steel that may lead to the development of new markets.
 
Mr. Graham feels strongly that absolute market growth should be the focus of major efforts within each steel company as a matter of supreme urgency. The spirit of this Fund is to catalyze these efforts by encouraging companies to take an active role in supporting the market development initiatives of their employees. Graham, a Life Member of AIST, is the former president of Jones & Laughlin Steel, United States Steel, Washington Steel, Armco Steel and the first chairman of AK Steel. The AIST Board of Directors wishes to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Graham for his generosity to the Association.