School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Seminar Series, “Atomic Scale Understanding of Material Synthesis and Degradation Mechanisms: Two Sides of the Same Coin” Presented by Dr. Arun Devaraj

About the event

Atomic Scale Understanding of Material Synthesis and Degradation Mechanisms: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Presented by Dr. Arun Devaraj, Chief Material Scientist-Physical Metallurgy, Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

Abstract:

Materials scientists dream of pinpointing each atom’s location to unlock how processing affects material properties. Such atomic-level insights can pioneer new processing techniques, like solid-phase deformation and additive manufacturing, leading to groundbreaking materials. This knowledge is equally crucial for researchers studying how atoms shift under extreme conditions like corrosion, neutron irradiation in nuclear reactors, or hydrogen exposure. This understanding helps design durable, high-performance materials for applications in extreme environments. Given the complexity of the atomic movements during both material synthesis and material degradation, no single method can cover details from the atomic to the component scale. Hence, a blend of in situ and ex situ characterizations, computational simulations, and mechanical testing is necessary. Dr. Devaraj’s team at PNNL uses advanced techniques like electron microscopy, in situ atom probe tomography (APT), and synchrotron-based high-energy X-ray diffraction, combined with predictive modeling, to achieve a comprehensive understanding of material synthesis and degradation mechanisms.

Presenter biography:

Dr. Arun Devaraj is a chief scientist at PNNL and research faculty at CSM. He has discovered principles guiding the mechanisms of non-equilibrium behavior and metastable phase transformations in alloys used for structural and nuclear applications, leading to better understanding of the microstructural control critical to establishing novel processing–microstructure–property relationships. He is recognized for contributions to expanding the application of APT for alloys, battery materials, catalysts, and biomaterials. Additionally, he is also recognized for directly correlating APT with transmission electron microscopy and for synchrotron X-ray based material characterization methods and simulations. Dr. Devaraj was awarded a DOE Basic Energy Sciences early career research award in 2020. He is a principal investigator for the Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office Powertrain Materials Core Program, the Lightweight Materials Core Program, and National Nuclear Security Administration tritium science programs. Dr. Devaraj has published more than 145 peer-reviewed journal articles and was awarded the Ronald L. Brodzinski Early Career Exceptional Achievement Award from PNNL in 2019. Dr. Devaraj is the chair of the TMS shaping and forming committee and the vice president of the International Field Emission Society. He is an editorial board member of npj materials degradation, editor of the PLOS One and a guest editor of Microscopy & Microanalysis journal.