The David Ford McFarland Award for Achievement in Materials was established in 1948 by the Penn State Chapter of the American Society for Metals (now ASM International) to honor graduates of Penn State who have honorably distinguished themselves in some field of materials. The award was named in honor of Dr. David Ford McFarland—former professor and department head. Read more
2026 McFarland Award
3:05 to 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in 111 Forum Building
“Corrosion-Driven Electrochemical Degradation and Quantitative Condition Assessment of Infrastructure Systems in United States”
Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Ph.D.
CEO and Engineering Director, Matergenics
Abstract
Aging infrastructure in the United States is increasingly governed by time-dependent material degradation mechanisms driven by environmental exposure, cyclic mechanical loading, electrochemical corrosion processes, and decades of deferred maintenance. This presentation examines three representative case studies that illustrate these interacting degradation modes:
- Water main failures associated with graphitization of cast iron,
- Corrosion-driven deterioration of high-voltage transmission line structures, and
- Collapse of reinforced concrete structures in which corrosion and vibration-induced damage contributed to progressive structural failure.
Failures in cast iron water mains demonstrate selective dissolution (graphitization), a corrosion mechanism in which metallic iron is electrochemically removed, leaving behind a porous, graphite-rich matrix with severely diminished mechanical strength. While the external geometry of the pipe often appears intact, the load-bearing metallic phase is substantially reduced. The result is brittle rupture under pressure transients, soil movement, or traffic loading a costly and recurring challenge for municipalities nationwide.
The high-voltage transmission case highlights the cumulative impact of foundation corrosion, anchor bolt degradation, concrete cracking, and vibration induced fatigue. These mechanisms progressively reduce structural reliability and safety margins. A quantitative condition assessment approach incorporating electrochemical measurements, GIS-based corrosivity mapping, structural analysis, and remaining-life modeling enabled risk-informed mitigation strategies and prioritized intervention planning.
In contrast, the reinforced concrete collapse case underscores the role of chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion, cracking propagation, increased permeability and absorption, and gradual loss of load-carrying capacity under sustained service conditions. Corrosion-induced section loss and bond degradation, compounded by cyclic vibration effects, can initiate progressive failure when warning indicators are not properly identified and monitored. Time permitting, we will also discuss hydrogen-induced damage and advanced sensor technologies capable of detecting early-stage cracking and material degradation before catastrophic failure.
Collectively, these cases demonstrate that corrosion—often acting synergistically with mechanical loading and environmental stressors — is a primary life-limiting mechanism in infrastructure systems. The presentation advocates for condition-based assessment frameworks grounded in measurable material-state variables, enabling proactive, data-driven technical management of aging assets rather than reactive repair following failure.
Biography
As the primary scientist / engineer at Matergenics Pittsburgh, Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Zee) is directly involved with all aspects of the incoming projects that require advanced levels of failure analysis, corrosion risk assessment / mitigation, cathodic protection and materials engineering, research and development, and the introduction of new technology (sensors, electrochemical testing, etc.) that have been designed or pioneered by Matergenics. He has authored 14 patents in last two years, published 70 technical papers in technical journals, and developed three corrosion sensors for industrial and commercial applications.
Matergenics, an upstart company, has become an internationally acclaimed, corrosion and materials engineering, testing and inspection firm that Zamanzadeh is proud to say, "Relies on facts rather than the instilled beliefs that are common to other firms of our type and nature."
Matergenics offers a broad range of services including a modern failure analysis laboratory; corrosion investigations; corrosion testing; corrosion risk assessment according to IEEE/ASTM/NACE and other standards; cathodic protection trouble shooting, design and installation; petrographic (concrete) analysis; finite element analysis and engineering calculations; and testing and analysis of paint and protective coatings. Training seminars are offered in coatings, corrosion, cathodic protection, materials engineering and failure analysis. Also, Matergenics is now offering courses in corrosion engineering and materials engineering.
Zamanzadeh's specialties include:
- failure analyst,
- corrosion corrosion risk assessment
- cathodic protection specialist
- expert witness and litigation support in all materials damage investigations
- NACE certified materials selection and design specialist.
- 65 patents in new materials, sensors and corrosion mitigation techniques
- over 70 technical publications
- ASM and AMPP 2023, 2024 awards
2025: Rose Hernandez, Ph.D.
2024: Melissa Marshall, M.B.A.
2023: David M. Simpson, Ph.D.
2022: Ruth Ann Wood, M.S.
2020: William Woodford
2019: John Creek '07
2018: Jeffrey M. Breznak
2017: Lucille A. Giannuzzi '92
2016: John MacChesney
2015: Yeshwanth Narendar
2014: Vladimir Ban
2013: Russ Reber
2012: Theresa Kotanchek '84, '87, '91
2011: Mike Petrucci '82, '85
2010: Sid Nelson '80
2009: Warren Wolf '63
2008: Harvey P. Hack ’87
2007: Mahlon Dennis ’69, ’71
2006: Jack Coppola ’69, ’71
2005: Gary Weber ’65, ’75
2004: Hong Shih ’86
2003: Jo-Won Lee ’83, ’86
2002: Peter B. Lake ’64
2001: James D. Beckman ’75, ’77
2000: John A. Halchak ’62
1999: Charles G. Carson ’66, ’70
1998: Richard L. Shultz ’70
1997: Karl Kimmerling ’79
1996: Gregory K. Yurek ’69, ’70
1995: Richard M. Wardrop, Jr. ’68
1994: Sang-Joo Kim ’68
1993: Ralph M. Smailer ’62
1992: Frank W. Luerssen ’50
1991: George Simkovich ’59
1990: Norris McFarlane ’34
1989: Rolf Weil ’51
1988: Howard R. Peiffer ’56
1987: John E. Werner ’54, ’60
1986: Ronald M. Latanision ’64
1985: John O. Brittain ’43, ’51
1984: Edward J. Ripling ’42
1983: Hal L. Harman ’56
1982: John W. Murray, Jr. ’40
1981: Thomas M. Krebs ’49
1980: Franklin H. Beck ’43
1979: Theodore B. Winkler ’39
1978: Frank Marold ’45
1977: Sam J. MacMullan ’37
1976: Guy F. McCracken ’49
1975: Robert L. Sproat ’42, ’48
1974: Howard B. Bomberger ’42
1973: Frederick C. Langenberg ’55
1972: Howard O. Beaver, Jr. ’48
1971: Adolph J. Lena ’48
1970: Joseph R. Carter ’40
1969: Jack H. Wernick ’54
1968: C. Thompson Stott ’34
1967: Fletcher L. Byrom ’40
1966: Dennis J. Carney ’42
1965: Norman B. Lane ’27
1964: F. Gordon Benford* (’33)
1963: Archibald Miller, Jr. ‘31
1962: James H. Keeler ’42, ’51
1961: George H. Todd ’28
1960: Manley E. Brooks ’28
1959: Robert D. Stout ’35
1958: Carl F. Hoffman ’21
1957: Elwood D. Mairs ’26
1956: Van E. Leichliter ’30
1955: John A. Succop ’17, ’20
1954: Mowry E. Goetz ’17
1953: R. Burns George ’22
1952: William W. Sieg ’23, ’25
1951: J. L. Mauthe ’13
1950: Max W. Lightner ’25
1949: George V. Luerssen ’15