David Andersson receives Sandvik scholarship

He has received this scholarship for his theoretical work on point defects, that is weaknesses in the storage structure of atoms, in advanced ceramics. Studies of this type are of decisive importance for both material manufacture and for the performance of metal cutting processes. The work he carried out during his doctoral studies at KTH 2002–2007 is considered to be groundbreaking. It may serve as a demonstration for the use of this type of advanced calculations as a tool for industrial materials development. His work is consequently regarded as extremely valuable to Sandvik Coromant.

The results of David Andersson’s research can be used in the development of ceramics in bulk such as in the form of a thin, hard coating. The majority of Sandvik Coromant’s products in hard metals are coated with such a product. Consequently increased understanding of the function, and further development, of these types of materials are vital.
David Andersson is 30 years old and graduated as a Master of Science from KTH in 2002. He is currently working with materials research at Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA. His research there is focussed on complex oxide materials with applications within nuclear power technologies and superconductors.

The scholarship, which consists of a sum of SEK 35 000 and is awarded annually, was given to him at a ceremony at Henry Crown Space Center, Chicago, USA on 8 September. This scholarship was established to promote materials research within the hard metals field. This is the eighteenth time it has been awarded and the winner is selected by a committee consisting of representatives of Swedish technical universities and Sandvik Coromant.

Håkan Soold