Michael S. Titus has built a career at the intersection of academic research, industrial collaboration, and workforce development — making him a standout leader in the heat-treating industry. As an associate professor in Purdue University’s School of Materials Engineering and a co-founder and Technical Director of the Purdue Heat Treating Consortium (PHTC), Michael has championed partnerships that bring together students, researchers, and companies to solve pressing metallurgical challenges.

Over the past decade, he has led high-impact research programs with significant industrial and societal benefits. His work includes a $1.3M Department of Defense/EPA initiative on reconditioning metal additive manufacturing powders, reducing waste and cost in advanced manufacturing. He has optimized heat treatments for Ni- and Co-based superalloys, enabling longer service life for high-performance components, and pioneered the use of agricultural-based oils in austempering, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional quenchants. His predictive alloy design models have accelerated the development of next-generation materials while lowering CO₂ emissions and shortening production cycles.

Michael’s influence extends through his students, twenty of whom now work directly or indirectly in heat treating, carrying forward the technical knowledge and problem-solving mindset developed under his mentorship. His collaborations span leading companies like Cummins, Caterpillar, GE Aviation, and Rolls-Royce, where his ability to translate complex metallurgical science into practical, commercially viable processes has earned wide respect.

In addition to advancing technology, Michael is committed to strengthening the future workforce. Through the PHTC, he fosters hands-on learning, industry engagement, and research opportunities for students. His work exemplifies how deep technical expertise, collaborative leadership, and an educator’s mindset can drive both innovation and sustainable growth in the heat-treating industry.

Nominated by: Cummins Inc.