Coat It!
PODCAST | From Molecular Research to Coatings Innovation: A Conversation With Kalsani
Need to Know
- Kalsani traces his path from supramolecular chemistry and biomedical research into coatings development.
- The discussion connects corrosion protection, formulation work and application methods to customer needs.
- Kalsani describes electrostatic application and AI-assisted formulation as two areas of innovation.
- He is a PPG associate fellow and a member of PCI’s Editorial Advisory Board.
Venkateshwarlu Kalsani did not begin his career expecting to work in coatings. His research took him from supramolecular chemistry to biomedical applications before he joined PPG and began applying that scientific foundation to polymers and coatings.
In this episode of PCI’s Coat It! podcast, Kalsani, recently named an associate fellow at PPG, talks with Chief Editor Courtney Bassett about that path and the value of seeing research become a product people use. Their conversation touches on corrosion protection as a system, drawing on subjects PCI readers may recognize from his technical articles, including zinc-rich primers, edge protection and surface preparation.
Kalsani also describes how innovation can extend beyond a coating formulation. He points to electrostatic application as an example that he says can reduce paint use for customers, and discusses PPG’s use of artificial intelligence in formulation work. Throughout the conversation, he returns to the role of colleagues, customer needs and market value in moving technical ideas forward.
The episode also introduces Kalsani as a member of PCI’s Editorial Advisory Board and discusses his contributions to the CTT Summit.
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