Two undergraduate MIT students in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE), Louise Anderfaas and Darsh Grewal, were awarded First Place in the 2023 ASM Undergraduate Design Competition. Organized by the ASM Materials Education Foundation, this competition celebrates exceptional accomplishments in the field of materials science and engineering.

Anderfaas and Grewal's project, titled “Multi-Objective Design of an Ultra-High Strength Aluminum Plate Alloy,” took shape within Professor Gregory Olson’s MIT Computational Materials Design Class 2023 (3.041). Their work stands out for its innovative methodology, integrating multiple objectives to craft an ultra-high strength aluminum plate alloy. The project combines theoretical insights and computational modeling to achieve a novel balance of strength, durability, and manufacturability in the alloy, which holds significant potential for various applications across industries such as aerospace, automotive, renewable energy, construction, and medical devices.

The award includes a $2,000 cash prize, and up to $500 in travel assistance, enabling Anderfaas and Grewal to participate in the 2023 International Materials, Applications & Technologies (IMAT) conference in Detroit, Michigan. Moreover, a $500 grant will be awarded to their department, fostering a culture of collaborative innovation and academic excellence.

The formal award presentation will unfold at the ASM Leadership Luncheon, scheduled for Monday, October 16, 2023, at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit, MI. This platform will provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the students' accomplishments, offering inspiration to peers, mentors, and industry leaders.