In Memorium
Dr Ing Zdeněk Převorovský, CSc
It is with deep sorrow and great sense of loss that we mourn the passing of Dr Ing Zdeněk Převorovský CSc, a founding member of Academia NDT International. Zdeněk served as a council member and treasurer of the Academia for a total of 17 years. His passion for the mission of Academia, advancing the sciences and engineering of NDT, was evident through the discussions, ideas and technical presentations he has offered throughout the years. His love for the community manifested through his kindness and gentle manners. He would, on occasions, break the cold formality and rigidity of our technical discussions with his very warm singing voice.
In 2025, Zdeněk concluded his official service with the Academia. The Council voted unanimously to award him an honorary membership status with the Academia. Since his university studies, Dr Převorovský was engaged in the Czech Academy of Science (CAS) in the field of physical and mechanical engineering, specialising in NDT/NDE/NDI and fracture mechanics of materials and structures. His research interests and published papers are mainly oriented on acoustic emission, ultrasonics, non-linear ultrasound and time-reversal spectroscopy and tomography. His activities in NDT and SHM cover diverse structures, ranging from aircraft to nuclear power plants.
We have all lost a dear friend, brother, colleague and a great mind of science. May God rest your soul dear Zdeněk. The walls will resonate with the memory of your warm voice whenever your friends meet in your honour.
President, Academia NDT International
Tribute from Serge Dos Santos, PhD, Hab. Dir. Rech., INSA Centre Val de Loire, Vice President Academia NDT International
'Since our very first collaboration, the number and quality of the projects we carried out together reflect the intensity of our scientific, intellectual, and philosophical exchanges – moments I will never forget'.
'For me, Zdeněk was far more than a colleague: he was a mentor, he was a scientific father. He guided me toward research, toward rigor and high standards, and toward experimentations on time reversal-based spectroscopy. His influence has profoundly shaped my career and his absence leaves an immense void'.
Zdeněk (left) and Serge at the Academia NDT International meeting in Budapest, 2022
Dr Rainer Link
It is with deep regret that we announce that Dr Rainer Link passed away on 24 November 2025.
Dr Link was a founding member of Academia NDT International and an Honorary Member.
He contributed a great deal to NDT in Europe and internationally and was a great colleague and friend to us all.
The funeral was held on 12 December in Rainer’s home town in Germany.
Professor Peter Trampus
With deep sorrow, we received the sad news from Budapest regarding the passing of our beloved brother, friend, mentor, and Academia President, Prof. Peter Trampus.
Peter was a member of the global NDT community, dedicated to the advancement of NDT sciences and engineering worldwide. He committed his life to serving that community through the Academia NDT International, the Hungarian NDT Society, EFNDT, ICNDT and ASNT, to name but a few. His service was not limited by geographical or political boundaries. He touched many lives, so much so that the news of his passing will travel like a shockwave of grief, surprise and disbelief, faster than e-mails can be written.
On a personal level, each one of us will feel the loss as their own. For his Academia family, Peter’s loss took a deeper meaning. Peter served the Academia NDT International from its inception to his very last days, as founder, Council member and President.
Battling a terminal illness, he stepped down from the presidency in early March 2025, and participated in our most recent Academia Council meeting, 21 days before his passing, to discuss the transition of his responsibilities. He seemed fine during the video call; no one suspected it would be the last time we see or talk to him. Now we know it was a moment of humbling dignity.
Academia NDT International
Dr Sotirios J. Vahaviolos
With profound sorrow we mourn the passing of Dr Sotirios J. Vahaviolos, a visionary leader, a pioneer in non-destructive testing and a cherished founding member of Academia NDT International. His immense contributions to the field and unwavering dedication to advancing the science of NDT have left an indelible mark on the industry and our organisation.