News 2023
12/10/2023 - Upcoming talks at the MiNES conference
Catch up with our research at the upcoming Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) conference in New Orleans (Dec. 10-14, 2023):
Dec. 12, 1-2:40pm in Galerie 3
Mitch Mika, “Effects of lanthanides on phase distribution in as-cast unirradiated U-Pu-Zr metallic fuels”
Mary Sevart, “Correlating constituent redistribution of fission gas bubble structure in irradiated U-Zr fuels”
Dec. 12, 5-7pm in Galerie 2
Allison Probert, “Trends in LOCA testing and modeling needs for high burnup and accident tolerant fuels”
Dec. 14, 10-11:40am in Galerie 6
Brandon Bohanon, “Characterization of reactor pressure vessel steel embrittlement after high fluence neutron irradiation”
11/1/2023 - SRNL student tour
Dr. A and Dr. Hartig have organized a tour of Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) for Nuclear Engineering students taking their classes. Students learned about SRNL research, career opportunities, and toured unique facilities, including their hot cells, ultrasensitive measurements, radiochemistry, and rapid turnaround forensics labs.
11/1/2023 - Dr. A presents a seminar at Texas A&M University
Dr. A delivered a seminar for the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University. The discussion and engagement at the conclusion of the seminar were excellent! Thank you to Dr. Ahmed for the invitation!
9/26/2023 - New papers alert
The group has published two articles, “Comparison of Zirconium Redistribution in BISON EBR-II models using FIPD and IMIS databases with experimental Post Irradiation Examination” and “Evidence of Xe-incorporation in the Bubble Superlattice in Irradiated U-Mo Fuel” in September. Well done, team!
9/14/2023 - NSUF awards RTE research proposals
Congratulations to Mitch and Brandon for receiving Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) rapid turnaround experiment (RTE) funding! RTEs offer researchers the opportunity to perform quick analysis of a small number of samples. Mitch’s proposal “Determining Mechanical Properties of the Phases Formed of Irradiated U-19Pu-10Zr” and Brandon’s proposal “Characterization of Manganese-Nickel Rich Precipitates and Their Interaction with Dislocations in Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels” have been selected from a large pool of proposals submitted by national laboratories and US universities. Well done! Full list of awarded projects can be accessed here.
8/22/2023 - Mary and Jack Join MANATEE group
Manatee group is expanding and we are excited to welcome Jack Mayer (MSE) and Mary Sevart (MSE). Join us in welcoming them and stay tuned for their accomplishments!
8/1/2023 - New BES grant on Irradiation-Induced Grain Subdivision
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) has awarded a new grant “Mechanisms of Irradiation-Induced Grain Subdivision” to Drs. Tonks, Aitkaliyeva, and Phillpot. We are looking forward to this new collaboration, stay tuned for more news on the project!
6/16/2023 - New NEUP grant on U-Zr fuels
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded more than $56 million for 68 nuclear energy projects across the country. Of those, MANATEE group is excited about the one led by Dr. Tonks: “Understanding Constituent Redistribution, Thermal Transport, and Fission Gas Behavior in U-Zr Annular Fuel Without a Sodium Bond“. We are looking forward to collaborating with Tonks group and colleagues from Idaho National Laboratory and TerraPower!
6/11/2023 - Dr. A named chair of MSTD
Dr. A becomes a chair of the Materials Science and Technology Division (MSTD) within American Nuclear Society (ANS). The MSTD is one of the 18 professional divisions within ANS and it promotes the advancement of materials science in Nuclear Science Technology; supports the disciplines which constitute it; encourages research by providing a forum for the presentation, exchange, and documentation of relevant information; promotes the interaction and communication among its members; and recognize and reward its members for significant contributions to the field of materials science in nuclear technology. We look forward to our continued engagement with ANS and its new leadership!
6/1/2023 - NSUF awards RTE research proposals
Congratulations to Allison for receiving Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) rapid turnaround experiment (RTE) funding! RTEs offer researchers the opportunity to perform quick analysis of a small number of samples. Allison’s proposal “Correlating microstructure to the thermal conductivity of irradiated U-20Pu-10Zr fuels ” has been selected from a large pool of proposals submitted by national laboratories and US universities. Well done! Full list of awarded projects can be accessed here.
5/11/2023 - Dr. A presents a seminar at Oregon State University
Dr. A delivered a seminar for the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University. The discussion and engagement at the conclusion of the seminar were excellent! Thank you to Dr. Tucker for the invitation!
4/25/2023 - Allison receives prestigious UNLP fellowship
Congratulations to Allison Probert, who was also awarded the University Nuclear Leadership Program graduate fellowship! Well done, Allison!
4/7/2023 - Kory publishes manuscript in Small
Congratulations to Kory, whose manuscript “Tailoring the Angular Mismatch in MoS2 Homobilayers through Deformation Fields” has been published in Small. In this work, we show that defects can induce a rotation-dependent moiré pattern in MoS2 and excite surface acoustic waves (SAWs). This presents an exciting opportunity to use defect engineering to tailor the angular mismatch in van der Waals (vdW) solids.
4/6/2023 - Mitch receives prestigious UNLP fellowship
Congratulations to Mitch Mika, the recipient of the University Nuclear Leadership program graduate fellowship! He is one of the 32 fellows selected from a large pool of candidates. Well done, Mitch!
See the full announcement here.
3/23/2023 - Dr. A begins her term at the TMS MD&DC committee
Dr. A begins her appointment on the Membership Diversity & Development Committee of The Minerals, Metals, and Materials (TMS) Society as a representative of the Structural Materials Division Council.
2/8/2023 - NSUF awards RTE research proposals
Congratulations to Allison for receiving Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) rapid turnaround experiment (RTE) funding! RTEs offer researchers the opportunity to perform quick analysis of a small number of samples. Allison’s proposal “Compositional and Defect Analysis of the FCCI in high burnup UO2” has been selected from a large pool of proposals submitted by national laboratories and US universities. Also congratulations to the alumni Dr. Adkins who received RTE funding to conduct “Assessment of Local Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Irradiated U-20 wt% Pu-10 wt% Zr alloy” in collaboration with Dr. A. Well done! Full list of awarded projects can be accessed here.
2/1/2023 - New Consortium of Nuclear Forensics award
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded more than $25M to UF-led consortium for research in nuclear forensics. The purpose of this consortium is to educate the next generation of nuclear forensic scientists and engineers while engaging in research and development spanning basic aspects of new technology and methods to programmatic work directly supporting the nuclear security and nonproliferation missions of NNSA. We are excited about this collaboration with 16 universities and 7 national laboratories. Stay tuned to learn more about our work!