Current Thesis Research: Radiation Effect on the Structural Alloys Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor
Current Thesis Research: Radiation Effect on the Structural Alloys Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor
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The successful deployment of modular molten salt reactor can be the basis for the democratization of relatively clean, abundant energy in both rich and poor countries. The foundation of this vision is to secure structural materials that are sustainable and economical. Mentored by Prof. John Scully (UVA), my Ph.D. thesis focuses on developing a framework for engineers to predict, detect, and quantify corrosion in molten salts. The potential findings of my graduate research can guide the discovery of new alloy compositions or material structures that may resist corrosion.
Why Do I Care About Corrosion?
Why Do I Care About Corrosion?
What is Corrosion?
What is Corrosion?
Corrosion occurs in many forms - a popular one is rusting! There are great online tutorials to learn about corrosion. To put it simply, when metals are exposed to certain things in the air or water or nuclear coolants, they start to break down, either disappearing from the environment completely or react with oxygen and water to form oxides - some cases they are rusts!
A recurring poison to public assets, infrastructure in many aspects of our lives
A recurring poison to public assets, infrastructure in many aspects of our lives
When was the last time your water heater or car parts rusted and cost you a fortune to replace? Well, corrosion impacts globally, with a NACE estimating a cost of ~$2.5 trillion/yr or ~3% of global GDP [1-3]. A rusted fork may only taste sour, but a rusted plane, train track, and implants (...) may cost a life.
Corrosion is a key to unlock to some groundbreaking technologies
Corrosion is a key to unlock to some groundbreaking technologies
Corrosion is not old. When thinking beyond a rusted bridge, can we manipulate it to construct nanostructures or even advanced chips? can we master corrosion to "corrode" and recycle costly metal effectively? These questions delve into the untapped potential within the context of corrosion, inviting a paradigm shift in material science [4]
Sources:
NACE (Currently AMPP) organization, The Economic Impact of Corrosion, http://impact.nace.org/economic-impact.aspx
Dr. Robert Hummel, Alternative Futures for Corrosion and Degradation Research. Potomac Institute Press. 2014.
https://www.zerust.com/blog/2019/10/02/the-cost-of-corrosion/ (for Image)
Costa, D., & Scully, J. R. (2023). Challenges for the Corrosion Science, Engineering, and Technology Community as a Consequence of Growing Demand and Consumption of Materials: A Sustainability Issue. Corrosion, 79(9), 988–996. https://doi.org/10.5006/4428
Prior Research Experience
Prior Research Experience
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Role: Undergraduate Research Assistant - Prof. Vilupanur Ravi
Project #1 (Thesis): Corrosion of Aluminum Foam Alloys for Jet Aircrafts Applications
o Leading a team of 5 students, to evaluate the impact of marine and atmospheric corrosion on the mechanical properties of Al-6061 foams
o Proactively applied and obtained >$5k of research fundings while generating timely and impactful insights for our industry partner (ERG Aerospace Corp.)
Project #2: Performed a 1-year sponsored investigation to evaluate the feasibility of oxide inhibitors to mitigate SS316 alloys molten chlorides corrosion for concentrated solar power plants (w/ The Dynalene Corp.)
Project #3: Partnered with Prof. Joesph Newkirk (Missouri US&T) to develop post-processing and heat treatment methods to improve the corrosion & pitting resistance of AM SS304L Alloys
University of Washington
University of Washington
Role: NSF REU Summer Intern - Prof. Peter Pauzauskie
Explored the possibility of metal cation dopants to improve the mechanical, electrical properties of carbon aerogels for supercapacitor applications
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Role: NSF REU Summer Intern - Prof. Robert Savinell
Investigated the effect of cation dopants to design low-cost, low-toxicity, and high conductivity ionic liquid solvents for flow-battery electrodes applications
University of Virginia
University of Virginia
Role: Graduate Research Assistant - Prof. John Scully
Thesis: Fundamental Understanding of Corrosion Kinetics in Molten Fluorides for Molten Salt Reactors funded by the Department of Energy Office of Basic Science (BES), Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC)
o Spearheaded the design and implementation of electrochemical methods for studying Ni-based alloys corrosion in molten salts, relevant to Gen-IV nuclear reactors. Applying data analytics (e.g. Python), physics-based modeling (e.g. COMSOL) and materials characterization tools (e.g. SEM, XRD) for studies
o Initiated, orchestrated, executed cross-institutional collaborative research plans, significantly enhancing the strategic planning and execution of DoE EFRC FUTURE objectives with a team of over 50 professionals from prominent institutions, including UC Berkeley, LANL, PNNL, and NC State University
o Developed and communicated key findings to the BES internal reviews and international conferences, such as TMS, ECS, effectively presenting complex research to diverse audiences and contributing to scientific outreach
Research Interest (Under Construction)
Research Interest (Under Construction)
Multi-Scale Electrochemistry
Question: Can we measure the electrochemical behavior of materials at different scales - from atomic to micro to macro-scale instantaneously?
Designing Functional, Materials
Question: Can I utilize metal corrosion in molten salt & liquid metal to create porous metallic structures that beneift energy & aerospace applicattions?
Featured Publications
Featured Publications
Please See full list on GOOGLE SCHOLAR.
1. H. L. Chan*, J.R. Scully et al. Morphological Evolution and Dealloying Behavior of Ni20Cr in Molten FLiNaK. Journal of the Electrochemical Society. (Accepted, DOI 10.1149/1945-7111/ad6037)
2. E. Romanovskaia, H. L. Chan*, J.R. Scully et al. Formation and long-time exposure aging of oxides on Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-X (X = Mo, W) alloys in acidic chloride solutions: Ramifications towards corrosion resistance. Applied Surface Science, 159998.
3. H. L. Chan*, J.R. Scully. Deciphering when Metal Corrosion is Spontaneous in Molten Fluorides Using Potential-Activity Diagrams. Corrosion, 79(11), 1236–1240.
4. E. Romanovskaia, H. L. Chan*, J.R. Scully et al. An In Situ, Multi-Electrode Electrochemical Method to Assess the Open Circuit Potential Corrosion of Cr in Unpurified Molten FLiNaK. Corrosion Science, 222, 111389–111389.
5. H. L. Chan, E. Romanovskaia, V. Romanovski, D. Sur, M. Hong, P. Hosemann, J.R. Scully. Corrosion Electrochemistry of Chromium in Molten FLiNaK Salts at 600 °C. Journal of the Electrochemical Society. 170, 081502.
6. M. Hong, H. L. Chan*, P. Hosemann, J. R. Scully. Corrosion property of Alloy 625 in Molten FLiNaK salt according to the Tellurium Concentrations. Journal of Nuclear Materials. 212:110913
7. H. L. Chan*, E. Romanovskaia, A. L. Morales, F. Schmidt, V. Romanovski, C. Winkler, J. Qiu, Y. Wang, D. Kaoumi, F. A. Selim. B. P. Uberuaga, P. Hosemann, & J.R. Scully. Multi–length scale characterization of point defects in thermally oxidized, proton irradiated iron oxides. Materialia, 28, 101762, 2023.
8. V. Romanovski, H. L. Chan*, et al. Low energy synthesis of anhydrite cement from waste lime mud. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 98, 3, 2022.
9. V. Romanovski, H. L. Chan*, et al. Synthesis and effect of CoCuFeNi high entropy alloy nanoparticles on seed germination, plant growth, and micro-organisms inactivation activity. Environ Sci Pollut Re, 30, 23363, 2023
10. M. Hong, A. Lopez, H. L. Chan*, D. MacDonalds, , Y. Xie, E. Romanovskaia, J. Scully, D. Kauomi, P. Hosemann. “Effect of Thermal Oxidation on Helium Implanted 316L Stainless Steel. Journal of Applied Physics, 132 (18), 185104, 2022.
11. M. Hong, H. L. Chan*, Y. Xie, E. Romanovskaia, P. Hosemann, J. R. Scully. “Effect of Tellurium Concentration on the Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of 304 Stainless Steel in Molten FLiNaK Salt”. Corrosion Science, 110913, 2022.
12. H. L. Chan*, E. Romanovskaia, F. Garfias, J. Qiu, P. Hosemann, J.R. Scully. Insights on the corrosion thermodynamics of chromium in molten LiF-NaF-KF eutectic salts. Npj Materials Degradation, 6(1), 2022.
13. R. Auguste, H. L. Chan*, E. Romanovskaia,. Wagner, F. Selim, D. Kaoumi, B. P. Uberuaga, P. Hosemann, J. Scully. “A multimodal approach to revisiting oxidation defects in Cr2O3. Npj Materials Degradation, 6(61), 2022.
14. J. Han, H. L. Chan*, J. R. Scully, et al. “Electrochemical stability, physical, and electronic properties of thermally formed oxide compared to artificially sputtered oxide on Fe thin films in aqueous chloride. Corrosion Science, 186, 109456, 2021.
15. J. Han, H. L. Chan*, J. R. Scully, et al. “Distinguishing interfacial double layer and oxide-based capacitance using gold and pre-oxidized Fe-Cr in room temperature ionic liquid,” Electrochemistry Communication. 122, 106900, 2021.
16. H. L. Chan*, A. Shehi, J. Newkrik, V.A. Ravi, “The Effect of Build Orientation on the Corrosion Behavior of SLM 304L Alloys,” Corrosion/2021, paper no. C2021 - 15720 (Houston, TX: NACE, 2021)
17. R.A. Gomez, H. L. Chan*, K. Guo, A. Peyera, V.A. Ravi, “Chemical Cleaning of Open-Cell Aluminum 6101 Foams for Corrosion Studies,” Corrosion/2021, paper no. C2021 - 16911 (Houston, TX: NACE, 2021)
18. A. Peyera, R.A. Gomez, H. L. Chan*, V.A. Ravi, “Corrosion of Open-Cell Aluminum Foams in Natural Seawater,” Corrosion/2021, paper no. C2021 - 15825 (Houston, TX: NACE, 2020)
19. H. L. Chan*, K. Guo, V. A. Ravi, “Corrosion Studies of Open-Cell Aluminum Foams in Simulated Marine Environments,” Corrosion/2020, paper no. C2020 – 15195 (Houston, TX: NACE, 2020)
20. C. Faraj, H. L. Chan*, J. Benoun, Z. Hilton, J. Newkirk, V.A. Ravi, “Corrosion Behavior of 304L Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion,” Corrosion/2020, paper no. C2020 - 15223 (Houston, TX: NACE, 2020)
Featured Awards
Featured Awards
1. 1st place (co-winner), TMS – Structural Materials Division Poster Contest, Mar. 2024
2. The Rising Leader Award, The Association of Corrosion Performance and Protection (AMPP), Mar. 2024
3. International 3rd place, 244th The Electrochemical Society Conference (ECS), Gothenburg, Sweden, Oct. 2023
4. International Finalist, ASM Fluxoral Heat Treating Student Poster Contest, Detroit, MI. Oct. 2023
5. 1st place & Most Popular Presentation, ASM Student Speaking Symposium (S3) 2023, Mar. 2023
6. Finalist, Entrepreneurship Cup Discovery Stage Competition, UVA Darden School of Business, Feb. 2023
7. 1st place, Entrepreneurship Cup Concept Stage Competition, UVA Darden School of Business, Oct. 2022
8. Honorable Mention, 2022 International Metallographic Contest, IMAT 2022, Sep. 2022
9. 1st place in Harvey Hero Category of Corrosion Engineering, AMPP CORROSION Poster Contest, Mar. 2022
10. 1st Place (Graduate), TMS – Structural Materials Division Poster Contest, Feb. 2022
11. 2nd place, TMS 2022 Society Trivia Award, Feb. 2022
12. 2nd place in Marcel Pourbiax Category of Corrosion Science, AMPP CORROSION Poster Contest, Apr. 2021
13. 2nd Place (Undergraduate), ASM – Los Angeles Chapter virtual student night, May 2020
14. 3rd Place, ASM Project Design Competition, ASM International, September 2019
15. 1st Place (Undergraduate), ASM – Los Angeles Chapter Poster Contest, May 2019
16. The Best Undergraduate Poster Award, NACE CORROSION 2019 Poster Contest, Mar. 2019
17. 1st place in Material Science, 99th AAAS - Pacific Division Annual Meeting, Jun. 2018
18. 2nd place (Undergraduate), ASM – Los Angeles Chapter Poster Contest, May 2018
19. People’s Choice Award, ASM – Los Angeles Chapter Poster Contest, May 2018
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