The Association for Iron & Steel Technology Foundation (AIST) announced Orlando J. Ugarte as the winner of the 2025–2026 Sustainable Technologies for Steel Manufacturing Grant. This grant was established to challenge university teams from engineering, scientific and mathematical departments at North American universities to submit proposals for grant funding in the theme area of sustainable technologies for steel manufacturing, including decarbonization, CO2 reduction, and carbon capture, utilization and storage, among other related technologies.
The purpose of the $30,000 award is to support professors in promoting the steel industry to students interested in sustainable manufacturing technologies, provide direct interaction between students interested in sustainable manufacturing technologies and the steel industry and recruit more students interested in sustainable manufacturing technologies for employment in the steel industry.
Ugarte is a research scientist at Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, Indiana. His steel industry mentor is Joseph Maiolo, Linde. Ugarte’s project proposal is titled “Advancing Supersonic Injection of Oxygen and Soft Oxidizers for Reducing Carbon Emissions in Industrial-Scale EAFs.”
This project advances supersonic injection technology in EAFs by investigating and optimizing the use of soft oxidizers. It examines their injection rate, angle and distance from the bath surface, providing insights into the impact of these operational parameters on refining efficiency and carbon emissions reduction in EAF operations.
“We are incredibly excited to be selected by AIST to receive the Sustainable Technologies for Steel Manufacturing Grant. While supersonic injection has been applied to EAF operations since the 1990s, there are still open questions we aim to clarify. Our goal is to make a significant impact on EAF operational performance and sustainability. Additionally, this project will engage talented students, who we hope will contribute to the steel industry in their future endeavors,” Ugarte said.
Published November 2025
