Irradiation can both Degrade and Enhance Materials Properties

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BIOGRAPHY

Janelle P. Wharry is a Professor of Mechanical Science & Engineering at the University of Illinois.  Her research group focuses on understanding structure-property-functionality relationships in irradiated materials, with an emphasis on deformation mechanisms and mechanical behavior at the nano/microscale.  The group’s active projects span nuclear structural and cladding alloys, advanced manufacturing and joining methods, metallic nuclear fuels, and electroceramic materials.  Dr. Wharry is an Editor of Materials Science & Engineering and Materials Today Communications.  She is a recipient of the TMS Brimacombe Medal, ANS Landis Award, DOE Early Career Award, and National Science Foundation CAREER Award.

ABSTRACT

This talk will explore the seemingly paradoxical concepts of irradiation degradation and irradiation enhancement of materials properties.  The nuclear reactor community has historically viewed irradiation as a means of damaging materials, causing microstructural defects that lead to degradation of properties and premature failures.  But these irradiation-induced defects can also generate unique materials phases with properties not otherwise accessible or achievable, providing an opportunity to enhance materials performance by irradiation.  Conventional examples of irradiation degradation will be drawn from our work on structural steels.  We will then discuss the use of irradiation to enhance the electrochemical performance of metal oxide ceramics.  Mechanisms will be discussed as a potentially unifying explanation.