fritz grensing

Experienced in the production and extraction of Beryllium and Beryllium alloys, Magnesium, Aluminum Copper, Nickel, Niobium and Tantalum alloys and versed in the reduction and purification for rare earth elements.  Focused on the interaction between material performance and the material’s chemistry, microstructure, process history and testing factors as a good materials engineer safely manipulates and controls these parameters to meet critical customer needs. 

Ultimately customers determine the success or failure of new materials and close collaboration during development is critical.  This collaboration also greatly increases the velocity of development and product introduction and adoption. Understanding how material interacts with an application can make or break a product. 

Training of the next generation of diverse engineers is an important function of any Technology career.  Continuous learning should and must last the entirety of everyone's career.   

 

Education 

Ph.D in Metallurgy – University of Illinois (1987) 

MBA – Bowling Green University (1999) 

Key accomplishments  

  • 75 patents and 160 applications developed covering numerous alloys, metals, processes, and materials. 

  • Developed a methodology to increase the velocity of product development while improving the product success rate.  Took the new product VA sales/T&I spend metric from 3 to over 12.  

  • Developed managed and supported numerous parts for spacecraft that have traveled the solar system. 

  • Advocated for and managed the installation of the world’s first beryllium additive manufacturing center.  Also printing BeO ceramics that may ultimately go into a new generation of safe nuclear reactors. 

  • Created and developed a family of low-friction ToughMet brand of Cu-Ni-Sn alloys.   

  • Worked with Universities to train material scientists.  We provided project ideas and materials to the Universities for projects and provided STEM and Co-OP opportunities.  

  • Produced on a demonstration-scale the first heavy rare earth metals from oxide in the United States in about 25+ years.