Mr. Guilherme Vacchi | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Federal University of São Carlos | Brazil

Author Profile

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits: Building the Foundation of Expertise

Mr. Guilherme Vacchi began his academic journey at the prestigious Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), earning his degree in Materials Engineering. His passion for metallurgical science and corrosion phenomena led him to pursue both a Master’s and Ph.D. from the same institution. During this formative phase, he specialized in welding processes, corrosion mechanisms, and microstructural characterization, laying the groundwork for a lifelong dedication to materials science.

🧑‍🏫 Professional Endeavors: Bridging Theory and Application

With over seven years of teaching experience at both technical and university levels, Guilherme has shaped the next generation of engineers. He currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at UFSCar, actively engaging in advanced corrosion and welding studies. Alongside his academic role, he contributes to industry by offering consultancy services in corrosion, welding techniques, and electrochemical testing—proving his versatility across theoretical and applied domains.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus: A Precision-Driven Vision

Mr. Vacchi's research targets critical areas in corrosion science, stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, and solid-state welding techniques like friction stir welding. His completed and ongoing projects explore abrasion-impact resistance, high-temperature oxidation, and failure analysis of advanced materials. Through a keen focus on structural integrity in aggressive environments, his studies illuminate the behavior of materials under industrial and marine conditions, influencing both academic understanding and industrial practices.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition: Earned Through Rigor and Innovation

With an h-index of 9, over 250 citations, and publications in high-impact journals such as Corrosion Science, Applied Surface Science, and Advanced Engineering Materials, Guilherme's contributions are globally acknowledged. He has also co-authored a chapter in a recognized materials science book, further underlining his scholarly reach. His role as a reviewer for top-tier journals and memberships in national symposiums reflect his academic credibility.

🌐 Impact and Influence: A Catalyst for Change in Materials Science

Through collaborations with notable scholars across Brazil and Europe—including affiliations with Graz University of Technology and Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon—Mr. Vacchi advances international research dialogues. His consultancy engagements foster innovation transfer between academia and industry, particularly in sectors requiring high corrosion resistance and material performance. He is actively involved in shaping curricula and developing educational resources in metrology, welding, and material integrity.

🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions: Shaping the Material World

Looking forward, Guilherme dos Santos Vacchi aims to continue pushing boundaries in corrosion science and welding innovation. His evolving research on super duplex stainless steels and shape memory alloys promises valuable insights for industries such as offshore engineering, energy, and biomedical devices. With a passion for sustainable solutions and integrity in engineering design, he stands poised to leave a lasting legacy in the field of materials engineering.

Publications

📄Unraveling the Cr₂N Precipitation and Its Negative Effect on the Corrosion Resistance of Friction Stir Welded UNS S32760 Super Duplex Stainless Steel

Author(s): G.S. Vacchi, W.S. de Carvalho, C.P. Meinhardt, L.A. Bergmann, S.T. Amancio-Filho, C.A.D. Rovere
Journal: Surfaces and Interfaces
Year: 2025

📄Microstructural Evolution and Localized Corrosion Behavior of Friction Stir Welded Super Duplex UNS S32760 in Chloride-Containing Environments

Author(s): G.S. Vacchi, D.C.C. Magalhães, A.A. Mendes Filho, O.M. Cintho, C.P. Meinhardt, L.A. Bergmann, C.A.D. Rovere
Journal: Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Year: 2025

📄Influence of Long-Term Immersion Tests on the Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of an Ultrafine-Grained Aluminum Alloy

Author(s): Guilherme dos Santos Vacchi, Danielle Cristina Camilo Magalhães, Cristie Luis Kugelmeier, Rodrigo da Silva, Anibal de Andrade Mendes Filho, Andrea Madeira Kliauga, Carlos Alberto Della Rovere
Journal: Metals
Year: 2024

📄Corrosion Behavior of 316L Stainless Steel Reinforced by Dispersed Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Author(s): Lucas de Figueiredo Soares, Francisco Maciel Brito Neto, Lucas Moura Montenegro Reis, Guilherme dos Santos Vacchi, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Carlos Alberto Della Rovere, Vera Lúcia Arantes
Journal: Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Year: 2024

📄A Survey on the Oxidation Behavior of a Nickel-Based Alloy Used in Natural Gas Engine Exhaust Valve Seats

Author(s): José Henrique Alano, Renato Siqueira, Claudio Martins Júnior, Rodrigo Silva, Guilherme Santos Vacchi, C.A. Della Rovere
Journal: Metals
Year: 2022

Ms. Ruth Belnap | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Brigham Young University | United States

Author profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Ms. Ruth Belnap embarked on her academic journey at Brigham Young University (BYU), where she achieved a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering with a minor in Music, maintaining an impressive GPA of 3.78. Her passion for engineering led her to pursue a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, further enhancing her expertise in the field. During her studies, Ms. Belnap earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a GSIP Certificate, demonstrating her commitment to process improvement and quality management. Additionally, she became a certified Manufacturing Technologist through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), solidifying her foundation in manufacturing principles.

Professional Endeavors 🔬

Currently, Ms. Belnap is a Graduate Research Associate at BYU's Friction Stir Research Lab. Since 2022, she has managed multiple high-profile research projects, including a $100k two-year project focused on building prototypes of airplane skin via RFSSW and another $100k project performing tool life tests in hard-to-weld 2xxx aluminum alloys. Her role involves designing and executing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and utilizing specialized equipment and software such as Excel, JMP, Logger Pro, and Dragonfly. Ms. Belnap has also been instrumental in training undergraduate students and effectively communicating research findings at various conferences. In addition to her research role, Ms. Belnap served as a Technology Reference Assistant at BYU's Harold B. Lee Library Makerspace from 2019 to 2022. There, she consulted patrons on CAD, 3D printing, and other makerspace technologies, led training workshops, and curated documentation and tutorials to enhance the library's resources.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔍

Ms. Belnap's research primarily focuses on advanced welding technologies and manufacturing processes. Her work with Bond Technologies, Refill Friction Stir Spot Welds, and various metallographic techniques highlights her dedication to advancing welding technologies and improving manufacturing quality. Her experience with specialized equipment, such as Keyence optical microscopy and Thermo Fisher Scientific SEM, underscores her commitment to high-precision research and development.

Accolades and Recognition 🏅

Ms. Belnap has made significant contributions to her field, as evidenced by her successful management of substantial research projects and her active participation in conferences. Her expertise in advanced welding technologies and her role in training students reflect her recognition as a valuable contributor to both academic and practical aspects of manufacturing engineering.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Ms. Belnap's work has had a notable impact on the manufacturing industry through her research and contributions to advanced welding technologies. Her ability to manage complex projects and communicate findings effectively demonstrates her influence within the engineering community. Her global experience, including living in three countries and traveling to over 25, further enriches her perspective and ability to address diverse challenges in manufacturing.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Ms. Belnap's ongoing research and dedication to advancing manufacturing technologies position her as a promising future leader in the field. Her commitment to process improvement, quality management, and educational outreach ensures that her contributions will continue to shape the manufacturing industry. As she progresses in her career, Ms. Belnap's work is likely to inspire future innovations and advancements in engineering.

Publications 📘

📰Article: Evaluating the Influence of Tool Material on the Performance of Refill Friction Stir Spot Welds in AA2029
Authors: Belnap, R., Smith, T., Blackhurst, P., Bosker, J., Hovanski, Y.
Journal: Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing
Year: 2024

📰Conference Paper: Production Evaluation of Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding
Authors: Belnap, R., Blackhurst, P., Hovanski, Y., Cobb, J., Misak, H.
Series: Minerals, Metals and Materials Series
Year: 2023

📰Conference Paper: 2D Axisymmetric Modeling of RFSSW Repair and Experimental Validation
Authors: Berger, E., Miles, M., Blackhurst, P., Belnap, R., Hovanski, Y.
Series: Minerals, Metals and Materials Series
Year: 2023

Guilherme Vacchi | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award