He has been working with gaseous thermochemical surface treatment of metallic materials for more than 18 years. In particular, with special focus on surface hardening of self-passivating alloys such as titanium and stainless steels. He is currently project leader on a research project funded by the Danish research council investigating interstitial elements (nitrogen/oxygen/nitrogen) in titanium (alloys) - with special emphasis on surface hardening. Besides his academic career he is the co-founder of two companies working with surface hardening of metallic materials.