Brew with the Crew: Accelerated Qualification of Novel Nuclear Structural Materials
The brewing will begin at 4:45 with the topical discussion starting at 5:00 and ending at 5:45 to allow for post-presentation
conversations. The event will adjourn at 6:00. Finger food will be provided to keep the stomachs from growling.
Join us for the upcoming technical talk —attend in person at Stockman’s Restaurant or virtually via Microsoft Teams
Title:
Accelerated Qualification of Novel Nuclear Structural Materials: Multiphysics Simulations of a MEMS-Based Creep Device Under Ion Irradiation
Abstract:
Qualification of structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors requires testbeds capable of
simultaneously replicating and monitoring high temperatures, irradiation, and mechanical stress.
This talk presents a multiphysics modeling framework for the design and optimization of an in-
situ testbed for measuring irradiation creep and thermal fatigue.
The testbed couples a silicon MEMS device with ion irradiation and scanning electron
microscopy to enable real-time mechanical testing under irradiation. Finite element simulations
developed in CUBIT and BISON resolve the coupled thermal, electrical, and mechanical
response of the MEMS device and quantify induced strain in the sample. Geometry optimization
of the MEMS device is performed to achieve uniform temperature and strain fields in the test
sample.
Results demonstrate that the multiphysics framework reduces reliance on iterative physical
prototyping in testbed development and provides a reproducible basis for geometry and loading
parameter selection in nuclear materials testing.
Speaker: Akanksha Parmar
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Idaho National Laboratory
Akanksha is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in C650 department at INL, where her research
focuses on computational modeling of nuclear fuels, including high burnup structure, chromia-
doped UO₂, and annular fuel pellets, using advanced constitutive models such as crystal
plasticity.
She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, where she combined
multiscale modeling with hands-on fabrication, processing, and characterization to study
microstructure evolution during additive manufacturing. She holds an M.S. in Aeronautics and
Astronautics from Purdue University, where her thesis focused on multiscale modeling of
composite structures.
Date and Time
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- 1175 Pier View Dr
- Idaho Falls, Idaho
- United States 83402
- Contact Event Hosts
- Co-sponsored by INL-Idaho National Lab
- Starts 16 June 2026 06:00 AM UTC
- Ends 20 August 2026 06:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Akanksha Parmar
Accelerated Qualification of Novel Nuclear Structural Materials
Title:
Accelerated Qualification of Novel Nuclear Structural Materials: Multiphysics Simulations of a
MEMS-Based Creep Device Under Ion Irradiation
Abstract:
Qualification of structural materials for advanced nuclear reactors requires testbeds capable of
simultaneously replicating and monitoring high temperatures, irradiation, and mechanical stress.
This talk presents a multiphysics modeling framework for the design and optimization of an in-
situ testbed for measuring irradiation creep and thermal fatigue.
The testbed couples a silicon MEMS device with ion irradiation and scanning electron
microscopy to enable real-time mechanical testing under irradiation. Finite element simulations
developed in CUBIT and BISON resolve the coupled thermal, electrical, and mechanical
response of the MEMS device and quantify induced strain in the sample. Geometry optimization
of the MEMS device is performed to achieve uniform temperature and strain fields in the test
sample.
Results demonstrate that the multiphysics framework reduces reliance on iterative physical
prototyping in testbed development and provides a reproducible basis for geometry and loading
parameter selection in nuclear materials testing.
Biography:
Akanksha is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in C650 department at INL, where her research
focuses on computational modeling of nuclear fuels, including high burnup structure, chromia-
doped UO₂, and annular fuel pellets, using advanced constitutive models such as crystal
plasticity.
She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, where she combined
multiscale modeling with hands-on fabrication, processing, and characterization to study
microstructure evolution during additive manufacturing. She holds an M.S. in Aeronautics and
Astronautics from Purdue University, where her thesis focused on multiscale modeling of
composite structures.
Visit the IEEE Eastern Idaho section website for additional information.