Dr. Melissa Klingenberg Wins Top Scientific Achievement Award from National Association for Surface Finishing

JOHNSTOWN, PA, Aug. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melissa Klingenberg, Ph.D., a Principal Advisor Engineer at Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), has been awarded the 2015 National Association for Surface Finishing's (NASF) Scientific Achievement Award. She is the first woman to win the top honor in the 57-year history of the Scientific Achievement Award. The NASF presents the award annually to "an individual who greatly contributes to the advancement of the theory and practice of electroplating, metal finishing and the allied arts; raises the quality of processes and products; and has enhanced the dignity and status of the profession."

"It's the greatest honor of my career," Klingenberg said. "I've always thought it was the most prestigious award for science within the metal finishing industry, and I am very excited and honored to have won. I always thought this honor was beyond my reach and have admired the men who won it in the past."

Rob Mason, CTC's Principal Materials and Process Scientist and NACE Certified Corrosion Technologist, noted, "The Scientific Achievement Award is very prestigious, and Dr. Klingenberg really deserves it. She is probably the first and foremost thought leader in the industry with respect to metal finishing wear-resistant coatings. She is a working scientist, clients love her, and she is respected as the go-to authority by many people across the country. I can't emphasize enough that she is incredibly worthy of this industry-leading award." Mason nominated Dr. Klingenberg for the honor, which was voted upon by an NASF committee.

Products Finishing Editor Tim Pennington writes, "Dr. Klingenberg has done it all for the industry: serving as AESF Foundation president, serving on the AESF Council, the NASF Research Board, the Emerging Technologies Committee, the Sur/Fin Technical Committee and as organizer and conference chair for the Surface Engineering for Defense and Aerospace Applications Conference.

"She has been an active member of NASF since 1994, and in 2008 organized and co-chaired the first ASM International/NASF Surface Engineering for Defense and Aerospace Applications conference. Her award has been especially deserving because it has been through those activities with the NASF that many feel that Dr. Klingenberg was critical in 'reinventing' the NASF to attract additional experts to conferences in the areas of innovative coating and new surface finishing technologies."
 
Klingenberg has more than 20 years of experience in inorganic finishing operations, specializing in research and development, technology evaluation, and implementation of innovative coatings and surface finishing processes designed to improve engineering properties and address environmental issues. She identifies, designs, integrates/installs, debugs, and implements systems including advanced deposition and plating processes, innovative coating and surface treatment technologies, and high energy and laser systems. Klingenberg is particularly known for her research in wear-resistant coatings and cadmium and chromium replacement technologies for defense applications, and she has co-authored numerous papers, articles, and presentations on these subjects. Her efforts have involved coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and brush plating, as well as advanced technologies and concepts, such as the use of ionic liquids for cleaning and plating.
 
In addition to her career as a scientist, Klingenberg is married to Scott Klingenberg, and they have one daughter, Gabrielle. They live in Windber, PA.

Klingenberg received a bachelor's of science degree in chemistry and engaged in post-baccalaureate studies in biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She received a master's degree in manufacturing systems engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. in materials engineering at the Pennsylvania State University.
 
In honor of the first recipient of the Scientific Achievement Award, Dr. William Blum Sr., the newest winner is invited to present the Blum Memorial Lecture at the opening session of the NASF Annual Technical Conference. Klingenberg looks forward to delivering that presentation next year and to having the lecture published in Products Finishing.
 
Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, CTC's primary purpose and programs are to undertake applied scientific research and development activities that serve the public interest. CTC has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. In addition, CTC has been named a Best for Vets Employer by Military Times. For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com.

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