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Students Learn, Teach Overseas
Graduate student Ryan Davis works on a project during his visit to Norway. Davis presented his research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Norsk Hydro. |
Grad student presents research in Norway Growing up in Detroit, Ryan Davis never imagined he'd be working in another country. But thanks to a partnership with a Norwegian university and an aluminum company, Davis had the opportunity to travel overseas. Davis, a second-year graduate student in the MSE department visited Norway Nov. 16-26 to present his latest research through a Norsk Hydro/Michigan Tech/ Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) partnership. For several years, Norsk Hydro, a major worldwide producer of light metals and a leading producer of aluminum alloy extrusions, has sponsored an international collaborative program involving NTNU and MTU. Davis went overseas with his advisor, Dr. John Pilling. Pilling assisted Davis with his presentation titled "Characterization of Surface Topography/Chemistry of Extruded Aluminum Tubing Pre/Post Exposure to Acidified Salt Solutions". Davis first presented his work to students and professors in Trondheim, Norway. "This was the first time I gave a presentation to such a large, technical group. I was a littler nervous, but the people were really nice and they seemed to understand that I was a student and was learning," Davis said. After his presentation, the staff at NTNU led Davis, along with Dr. Pilling, through NTNU's oncampus electro-chemical facilities. Following his second presentation at Norsk- Hydro, Davis received a personalized tour of the smelting plant.
"It was neat to see all the intricate processes in the
manufacturing of aluminum," he said.
"Norwegians seem to be big on aluminum. It's their
pride and joy," Davis said.
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