Dissertation from Germany wins first place

For the twelfth time, Maschinenfabrik Gustav Eirich, a machine engineering company, joined up with ECREF European Centre for Refractories gem. GmbH to present the Gustav Eirich Award (GEA) at the International Colloquium on Refractories in Aachen in September. Awards were presented to three dissertations or scientific works on refractories-based subjects completed in the last two years. The winners received prize money of 3000, 2000 and 1000 euros. With the GEA, the machine engineering company and ECREF wants to support young academics from all over the world. This year’s winners have completed their PhDs at universities in Germany, Poland and France.

Fresh impetus thanks to the support of young academics

The subjects addressed in the works were based on refractories, with studies of the high-temperature behaviour of materials. The jury from science and industry evaluates aspects such as savings of raw materials or emissions in the refractories industry. An important aspect is how the applicants engage with the criteria for the Gustav Erich Award and submit more than just a generic abstract of their work. The members of the international jury came from Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Spain and the USA.

First place was taken by Dr Johannes Kasper from the University of Koblenz-Landau. The title of his dissertation: “Setting models for PCE-dispersed and CA-cement-bonded refractory castables”: The work addresses important basic studies to better understand the behaviour of refractory concretes on debindng. The new insights have been applied in the refractories industry and are leading to the development of refractory linings with longer life.

For the Gustav Eirich Award 2022, applicants can submit dissertations and other independent scientific works, such as theses or post-doc works, by 30 June 2022. The works must have been completed within the last two years.