"How far can I push a material before it fails?"

It is a simple question with complex answers - and it sits at the centre of the research taking Dr Melody Neaves from Stellenbosch University to the United States in 2027, where she will undertake a prestigious Fulbright Research Scholarship.

A Senior Lecturer in Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, she works at the interface of materials science and extreme engineering conditions. Her focus is on superalloys - advanced materials designed to retain their strength even at very high temperatures. In aerospace applications, these materials are critical, particularly in components such as engines, where failure is not an option.

"In a nutshell," she explains, "I want to perform tests to see how far I can push materials before they fail." That work becomes even more complex when those materials are produced using additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. While the technology offers new possibilities for designing advanced components, it is expensive and still not fully understood in high-performance environments.

The goal, she says, is to make testing more efficient and accessible. "My research specifically looks at how to perform these kinds of tests in less time, with fewer resources and at lower costs."

In the United States, she will join the Materials at Extremes (MatX) group in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Ohio State University, working with Prof Calvin Stewart to validate high-temperature testing methods for aerospace applications.

The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between the two research groups. Last year, funding enabled Prof Stewart to visit Stellenbosch University, where discussions on advanced materials were paired with a distinctly South African welcome. "We had a South African-themed seminar with snacks and flags everywhere," she recalls. "Now it is my turn to head over to Ohio."

The Fulbright Scholarship marks a significant milestone, both personally and professionally. "There are no words to express how grateful I am to God, my husband, my family, Fulbright, my colleagues and mentors who have supported me, and to my students who give me purpose," she says. "This is truly a team effort."

Beyond the personal achievement, the opportunity is also seen as a chance to strengthen Stellenbosch University's global research footprint. "I hope to demonstrate to the team at the Ohio State University that Stellenbosch University produces quality research that is globally competitive."

A key focus during the visit will be exposure to new experimental techniques, particularly Digital Image Correlation, which is an optical method used to measure how materials deform under stress. "Think of it as an optical strain gauge that visually measures how much your material stretches under load," she explains.

The aim is not only to advance her own research, but also to bring new approaches back to the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. There is particular interest in how such tools could be integrated into teaching, especially in core modules like Materials Science. Another area of curiosity is teaching practice itself, particularly how large classes are managed in ways that keep students engaged and actively learning.

Outside the laboratory, Dr Neaves enjoys rock climbing and stargazing - interests that perhaps reflect the same curiosity and sense of exploration that drive her research. And when the lecturing and marking are finally done, she enjoys recharging through travelling and camping, exploring remote landscapes and experiencing the beauty of the African continent.