Solid effort on embrittlement of aluminium
Published on 12 July, 2007
Indian engineering student Ashutosh Srivastava said the chance to work on a research project at Central Queensland University's Process Engineering and Light Metals (PELM) Centre was a dream come true.
Ashutosh arrived in Gladstone in May to undertake a research project under the supervision of Professor Richard Clegg.
Professor Richard Clegg with Indian engineering student, Ashutosh Srivastava
"I am really enjoying my time here in Gladstone and working with the staff at PELM. It is a dream come true to get an opportunity like this.
"The support I have received from my supervisor, Professor Clegg and the other staff at PELM has been amazing. When I finish my degree I would really like to work in a place like Gladstone," said Mr Srivastava.
Professor Clegg said that although Ashutosh had only been in Gladstone a month, he was already making great progress in his research into the mercury embrittlement of aluminium.
"Mercury embrittlement is an established problem in natural gas processing plants and has even been known to cause accidents.
"Ashutosh has been using special testing equipment here at PELM and has already made significant progress in his research. We are very impressed with Ashutosh's work to date and the data he has obtained will hopefully be expanded on in the future allowing us to look at solutions to the problem," said Professor Clegg.
PELM has hosted a number of international final-year engineering students over the past years and Professor Clegg said that the program was proving extremely beneficial to the research carried out in the centre and the students.
"The quality of research produced by our visiting engineering students is of a very high standard and we hope to formalise the program in the future to give more students the same opportunities," said Professor Clegg.
Ashutosh is studying at one of the premier institutes in India, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, and will return to India on July 12. After finishing his degree, he plans to continue with postgraduate studies.