Materials.Business

In this episode of Materials.Business, host Monica Hernandez sits down with Felipe Rocha, Asset Integrity Specialist at Infinity Growth. They dive into how modern data engineering, machine learning, and physics-informed models are bridging the gap between technical corrosion reporting and C-suite business decisions.

Felipe breaks down why traditional PDF reports and static spreadsheets fall short, introduces the concept of a "living integrity model" (the GPS navigation app for industrial assets), and details how companies can eliminate wasted engineering hours while making fully defensible, risk-based budget decisions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Why asset integrity is ultimately a financial and capital decision, not just an engineering report.
  
• The 4 major "cost leaks" hiding in traditional integrity management.
  
• How a 3-layer integrity model combines API industry codes, physical chemistry, and physics-constrained machine learning.
  
• Moving from calendar-based maintenance to true risk-based inspection.
  
• Why AI tools will never replace the legal stamp and accountability of a Professional Engineer.
  

Phil Franklin (VP of Business Development and Operations at Xenitech) and Chris Chiasson (Land Surveyor and founder of Velocity Geomatics) discuss the evolving role of drones in energy, surveying, and industrial operations.  

Maura Abad | Salud, Liderazgo y Vida

En este episodio en español, nos acompaña nuevamente Maura Abad —líder en confiabilidad y gestión de activos, COO y creadora artística— para conversar sobre cómo equilibrar una vida multifacética sin caer en el agotamiento. Hablamos de la importancia del autoconocimiento, la salud física, el liderazgo empático en áreas técnicas y el poder de abrazar la vulnerabilidad.

Dr. Alec Groysman discusses the importance of corrosion education in industry, how to improve teaching methods, and the role of pedagogical skills for engineers and scientists. He shares insights from his experience in academia and industry, emphasizing safety, economics, and the aesthetic aspects of corrosion.

Amy Lenius shares her journey from health to holistic success coaching, emphasizing self-awareness, holistic success, and the importance of aligning personal goals with internal and external factors. This episode offers practical insights for embracing your unique success path.

In this episode, executive coach and former IT leader Andrew Hinkelman opens up about his own experience with burning out—and shares how to catch the subtle warning signs before you hit a wall. He breaks down the red flags we tend to ignore, the unspoken workplace rules that quietly drain our energy, and why being "busy" is rarely the same as being productive.

Sofia is a biomedical engineer by trade who found her true calling at the intersection of material science and commercial strategy. Originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Sofia’s journey led her to Houston, TX, where she earned her degree from the University of Houston and began her career at DexMat. Today, she bridges the gap between the production facility and the global market, executing commercial and go-to-market efforts. Sofia is a passionate advocate for showing that technical excellence and sales savvy aren't mutually exclusive—they are the duo that drives industrial innovation! She also shares her experiences as the only woman at the Dexmat production facility, bringing a powerful perspective on diversity and resilience in a startup environment.

Irene Chan shares her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a NASA flight planning engineer. She discusses overcoming challenges, the importance of community support, curiosity, communication skills, and balancing motherhood with a demanding career.

Maura Abad was born in Cuba, grew up in Ecuador, and has lived in the United States for 14 years. She has a degree in Tourism and has developed a solid career in Asset Management. She is VP of Operations at ReliabilityWeb.com, Director of Global Communications at the Association of Asset Management Professionals (AMP), and founder of Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM), where she highlights the professional contributions of women. Maura hosts the Asset Management Visionaries podcast, has published the poetry collections “42 Poems, It's All About the Context” and “One Frame at a Time with Awareness,” and produced the short film Memento Vivere.

Dr. Nafiseh Ebrahimi, an award winning Associate Research Officer at the National Research Council's Construction Research Centre, who is making significant strides in corrosion prevention for Canadian infrastructure. With a Ph.D. in corrosion science and degrees in Materials Engineering, Dr. Ebrahimi has served as a technical advisor on the Canada Impact Study, the first study that estimates costs of corrosion in Canada. Her work includes over 40 technical publications and two patented technologies. Dr. Ebrahimi has also played a key role in projects of national interest, such as the Champlain Bridge Coating Assessment. She is dedicated to mentorship and diversity, supporting the next generation of scientists and engineers while enhancing the safety and resilience of infrastructure in Canada.