Dr. Djamel Kaoumi
Professor of Nuclear Engineering
Department of Nuclear Engineering
North Carolina State University

Abstract

Developing collaboration across the country and internationally is critical to solving some of the challenges to implement new nuclear reactors worldwide, especially when it comes to gen IV reactors. A major challenge is that of materials that can be used in such reactors. Some materials need to be developed, others tested; finding the right place and right collaborators to make it possible is a critical part of the accomplishment of the research mission. This presentation will discuss some of the ongoing and prospective research efforts at NCSU in the field of nuclear materials which were enhanced or made possible through a sabbatical semester in 2023. The topics will include the development on Ni based ODS alloys for Molten Salt Reactors with South Korean institutions and the prospect of a brand new unique research nuclear reactor being built in Argentina and envisioned as a user facility.

Biography

Dr. Djamel Kaoumi received his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 2007 and his Masters of Science from University of Florida in 2001 with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. Prior to this, he received his Diplome d’Ingenieur from the Institut Polytechnique National de Grenoble in France in 2000 with honors. He is currently a full professor of Nuclear Engineering at the North Carolina State University in the USA. Dr. Kaoumi has built two decades of expertise in the field of Nuclear Materials with a particular emphasis on structural materials. His research interests revolve around (i) alloy development using powder metallurgy (including Additive Manufacturing of ODS alloys) and (ii) developing a mechanistic understanding of microstructure-property relationships, with an emphasis on microstructure evolution under harsh environment (i.e. irradiation, high temperature, mechanical stress, and corrosion) and how it can impact the macroscopic properties and performance. His experience and expertise are in the field of material development, characterization and irradiation induced effects on structural materials for Nuclear Power Plants. His characterization techniques of predilection include both in-situ and ex-situ techniques e.g. electron microscopy techniques TEM/STEM, In-situ irradiation in TEM, In-situ straining in a TEM, In situ mechanical testing in the TEM, XRD, (in situ) Synchrotron XRD. Dr. Kaoumi has extensive experience with characterization of alloys and ceramics (oxides and carbides) for Nuclear applications, and with ion irradiation and neutron irradiation characterization and particularly with in-situ ion irradiation technique and will contribute his expertise in characterization using electron microscopy and XRD methods and in situ mechanical testing (particularly in the TEM).