Association of Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) 2005 John F. Elliott Lecturer Henri Gaye recently addressed chemistry and engineering students at Purdue University Calumet.

Gaye, who worked 32 years as a researcher for European steelmaker Arcelor, urged the students to consider a career in the steel industry. He described projects he and other researchers have worked on, ranging from improving process efficiencies to reducing greenhouse gases.

Gaye commented that some of the most advanced research in the world is currently being undertaken in Europe as part of the “Green Steel” initiative. Much of the Green Steel research centers on continued reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking operation. Gaye has also focused on the reduction of carbon dioxide, testing ways in which emissions can be dramatically reduced.

In his lecture, Gaye described the long-term nature of steel research, commenting that new developments can take years or even decades to be developed and brought into standard practice. Research and development embraces every aspect of the process, from coke and ironmaking to rolling and finishing — and everything in between. “There are still things to do in that old antiquated field of metallurgy.”

University professors and several researchers and scientists from Mittal Steel’s research center in East Chicago also attended Gaye’s lecture.