Research

MEPhI. The laboratory of functional electro-physical diagnostics and non-destructive testing

(September 2011 - May 2014)

Advisor: Dr. Vitaliy Surin, Ph.D.

Project: Modeling the surfaces of materials under stress

Project Aim: To model the dynamic surface roughness of materials under stress using contact and non-contact scanning potentiometry methods

My Contribution:

  • Assisted in the application of a tunnel conductivity model to the study of electronic work function in metals

  • Performed experimental assessment of the influence of dynamic surface roughness on the emission current and electronic work function in silver, nickel, stainless steel, and other thin wires

  • Calculated the characteristics of surface deformation waves

  • Took part in the invention of an experimental apparatus “Poisk-PB” designed to study the work function of electrons in metals:

      • Assisted in the development of a vertical displacement system for a current collector to allow the collection of consistent diagnostic data along the whole surface of a wire specimen under stress

      • Improved the accuracy of positioning a sensor that accepted characteristics of emission current

  • Presented the project results on the exhibition of research-engineering works “Science and Innovations of MEPhI” in 2013, the XI Kurchatov Youth Scientific School in Moscow in 2013, and the Practical Conference “Information and Communication Technology in Education, Science, and Manufacture” in Protvino in 2014. Made poster presentations for MEPhI Scientific Sessions in 2013 and 2014

  • Contributed to 4 conference publications

  • Participated in occupational guidance for high-school students from Moscow and other cities by giving them workshops on using Mathcad software package and assisting with their research projects

The Experimental Apparatus “Poisk-PB”

Reflection: I learned about the dynamic surface roughness of materials under stress as well as different scanning potentiometry methods of its exploration. I got hands-on experience in the invention of a device, developed data collection and analysis skills, practiced technical writing and oral presentation. The results of the work have found practical application in new devices of electrophysical nondestructive diagnostic and are used in research projects conducted along with the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM.

A.A. Bochvar High-Technology Research Institute of Inorganic Materials

(June 2014 - February 2016)


Advisors: Dr. Vladimir Kuznetsov, Ph.D., Dr. Aleksey Shestopalov, Ph.D.

Project: Corrosion of nuclear reactor fuel elements

Project Aim: To develop a mathematical model of low-temperature oxidation and hydrogenation of fuel rod claddings of water-water energetic reactors


My Contribution:

  • Studied published mathematical models of oxidation and hydrogenation of fuel rod claddings and adapted the most appropriate one to the processes occurring in zirconium fuel rod claddings of water-water energetic reactors

  • Developed a computer application for modeling using START-3A software package

  • Verified the model's accuracy by comparing predicted and empirical data of the corrosion behavior of nuclear reactor fuel elements

  • Contributed to a conference publication as the first author and presented the project results on the International Scientific – Practical Conference “Contemporary State and Development Prospects of Scientific Thought” in Ufa, 2015

  • Assisted colleagues in processing experimental data from nuclear reactor testing and in translating scientific articles from English to Russian

Reflection: I learned about the oxidation and hydrogenation processes of fuel rod claddings and how they might lead to the cladding destruction and the contamination of the coolant with nuclear fuel and radioactive fission products. I got an opportunity to observe the behavior of fuel rods in the settings of different reactor operating modes including emergency situations. The experience provided me with a better understanding of the work of nuclear reactors and the rationale of its security systems. The developed mathematical model and computer application are currently used by the Institute when validating the functional ability of fuel rods.