Perryman Company Gift Funds Ongoing Titanium Alloy Research at Idaho State University

Based in Pennsylvania, Perryman Company produces titanium bar, billet, wire, fine wire, and shapes, and the fund will support ongoing research and development of titanium alloy bar technologies and applications. Titanium can be found in everything from aircraft and medical devices to motor vehicle components, golf clubs, consumer electronics, and more. 

“Because titanium alloy bars are lightweight, exceptionally strong, and highly corrosion-resistant, they provide a premier solution for reinforcing aging infrastructure and increasing the seismic resistance of existing concrete structures,” said Jared Cantrell, associate director for strategic partnerships and innovation at ISU, who’s also pursuing his doctorate in engineering and applied science with a concentration in civil engineering. 

“At Perryman Company, we are committed to advancing the use of titanium in ways that deliver meaningful, real-world impact,” said Jill Adkins, infrastructure development manager with Perryman Company. “This research is important to us because it explores how titanium’s unique properties—its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance—can help address some of the most pressing challenges facing global infrastructure today. By partnering with Idaho State University, we are able to support rigorous, forward-thinking research while working alongside a team that shares our vision for innovation and practical application. ISU’s expertise in structural engineering and their collaborative approach made them an ideal partner to help accelerate the development of titanium solutions.”

Early research at Idaho State, led by Mustafa Mashal, a former professor of civil engineering and associate vice president for research, innovation partnerships at ISU, focused on understanding the mechanical properties of titanium alloy bars and comparing their performance with high-strength steel. Over time, the research expanded to structural applications in columns, beams, and energy-dissipative devices, including the use of titanium reinforcement in combination with conventional and ultra-high-performance concrete.

More recently, studies have focused on advancing this work by testing the best way to anchor the bars into concrete, ensuring the maximum strength of the titanium is utilized. Cantrell and Joe Shurtleff, laboratory supervisor, along with civil engineering students Prajita Budhathoki and Sujan Timsina, will move into full-scale structural testing in the future using 12-foot-long concrete beam specimens in ISU’s Structural Laboratory. 

“This phase tests how well overlapping titanium bars handle extreme stress,” Cantrell said. “The results will create the engineering rulebook needed to widely use titanium for fixing and earthquake-proofing our buildings and bridges.”

“We are grateful to Perryman Company for investing in Idaho State University and the future of infrastructure innovation,” said Blair Devenberg, director of development for ISU’s College of Science and Engineering. “This partnership demonstrates industry and higher education working together to solve real-world challenges and create research opportunities for students and faculty. Perryman’s support will advance efforts to strengthen and extend the life of critical infrastructure worldwide.”

For more information on ISU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, visit isu.edu/cee.