In the pursuit of my education, I developed an intense interest in characterizing materials subjected to extreme environments. Most recently, my interests include the evaluation of the influence of varying energy dissipation in high radiation conditions on material structures, including ion-beam modification of materials, and characterization of research reactor fuel forms at microstructural and engineering length-scales, to understand their swelling behavior and evaluate their performance. My research training also developed skills for depth profile analysis in far-from-equilibrium structures, through diffraction and electron microscopy. I am driven to seek the most effective methods for characterization, whether through improving techniques already in my toolkit or considering new processes which require my growth. I have a genuine desire to learn continually, to challenge and stretch my capabilities.
Honors/Involvement
Awards & Recognitions
Best Poster Award – 2nd Place | The Nuclear Materials Conference, NuMat2018 Oct 2018
Chancellor’s Fellow | The University of Tennessee Aug 2014 – Jul 2018
Excellence in Teaching Award | The University of Tennessee, Materials Science and Engineering Department Apr 2018
Nuclear & Environmental Technology Division’s Student Stipend Award | The American Ceramics Society Sep 2017
Received the Accolade of Knighthood | Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller Mar 2017
Dean’s List | Drexel University 2009 – 2014
A.J. Drexel Scholar | Drexel University 2009 - 2014
Professional Affiliations and Service
Drexel University STAR Scholars Program
Alumni Reviewer | 2020
American Society for Materials International (ASM) 2010-Present
Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honors Society PA Zeta Chapter | 2012 – Present
President | Sep 2012 - Apr 2014
Alpha Sigma Mu, Materials Science and Engineering Honors Society PA Alpha Chapter | 2012 – Present
Materials Advantage 2010 – Present
The American Ceramics Society (ACerS) 2010 – Present
The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS) 2010 – Present
Charitable Activities and Service
Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller Jun 2009 – Present
Knight Commander of Idaho Outpost | May 2019 – Present
Knight Commander of Tennessee Outpost | Mar 2017 – Apr 2019
Grand Almoner for the Grand Priory of the United States | 2016 – Present
Legacy Church, Knoxville Aug 2014 – May 2019
Sound Engineer | May 2017 – May 2019
Community On Mission | 2015 – May 2019
Volunteered with the Emerald Youth Foundation
Volunteered with the Knoxville ReAnimation Coalition to restore the historic burial ground at Odd Fellows Cemetery, Knoxville
Education
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN | 2014 - 2019 | Graduate GPA 3.92
Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering
Hooded: May 9, 2019
Dissertation: “The Response of Ti3SiC2 MAX Phase to Ion Energy Dissipation During Energetic Irradiations at Different Temperatures”
Committee: Dr. William J. Weber (chair), Dr. Yanwen Zhang, Dr. Steven J. Zinkle, and Dr. Claudia J. Rawn
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA | 2009 - 2014 | GPA 3.85 | magna cum laude
Pennoni Honors College
Graduated with Distinction
Bachelors of Science in Materials Science Engineering
Minor in Nuclear Engineering
Experience
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Research Associate | Battelle Energy Alliance
Idaho National Laboratory Advanced Characterization and Post Irradiation Examination Division Nuclear Engineering Group Mentor: A.B. Robinson Idaho Falls, ID | May 2019 - Present
Performs Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) on experimental monolithic and dispersion U-Mo fuel forms to support their qualification by the Fuel Qualification Pillar of the U.S. High Performance Research Reactors program (USHPRR), the U.S. European Fuel Development Experiment Group (US-FDEG), and for the development of the KiJang Research Reactor (KJRR) by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)
Performs PIE analysis on experimental fuel rodlets for the ATF-1 and ATF-2 experiments of the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC)
PIE characterization to support above programs are performed at the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) and include visual examinations, non-destructive local profilometry and fuel swelling analysis oxide thickness measurement, immersion density and volumetric analysis, neutron radiography, precision gamma spectrometry, optical microscopy and metallography, blister threshold testing, and plenum pressure analysis of gas assay, sample, and recharge (GASR) testing
Current program/division point-of-contact for the implementation and improvement of the Visual Examination Machine (VEM) within HFEF to improve high-resolution in-cell visual examination capabilities for above and future programs
Developed python scripting to automate handling and processing of large PIE datasets, streamlining analysis, significantly reducing error-likely, repetitive human inputs, and simplifying interfacing with statistical analysis groups
Continually collaborates to develop new ways to combine and visualize data from disparate sources to reveal underlying trends
Research Assistant | The University of Tennessee
Radiation Effects in Materials Group Advisor: Dr. W.J. Weber Knoxville, TN | Aug 2014 - Apr 2019
Structurally and chemically characterize the influence of electronic vs nuclear energy dissipation within Ti3SiC2 MAX phases following high fluence energetic ion irradiations, utilizing grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), g.b analysis, and the Ion Beam Materials Laboratory (IBML)
Developed the application of an iterative method to determine self-consistent c/a for precise measurement of lattice parameter as a function of depth within ion irradiated hexagonal polycrystals
Research Assistant | Drexel University
Dynamic Characterization Group Advisor: Dr. M.L. Taheri Philadelphia, PA | Jan 2013 - Jun 2014
Utilized in situ TEM annealing, high resolution TEM, scanning TEM, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy mapping to locate and analyze the diffusion behavior of implanted Ag ions to bring visibility to potential mechanisms of fission product release as observed in current TRISO fuel configurations
Co-op | Carpenter Technology Corp.
Product Process Technology Reading, PA | Apr 2013 - Sep 2013
Developed and optimized a robust centerless grinding practice that more than doubles throughput without sacrificing quality for use in a new production line and current operations
Assisted with operations analysis; employed information in the implementation and improvement of new production line development
Integrated and consolidated data and performed analysis to improve yield retention in practices at the Latrobe Specialty Metals facility
Composed technical reports and presentations for documentation of findings
Presented findings to managers, supervisors, and coordinators
Performed analysis of potential alloy process improvement and presented recommendations at stage review
Research Assistant | Drexel University
MAX Phase Research Group Advisor: Dr. M.W. Barsoum Philadelphia, PA | Mar 2012 - Oct 2012
Project Lead – Development of fully dense MAX phase ternary carbides with Niobium and Zirconium in solid solution for nuclear fuel cladding applications
Tested development novel MAX phases including Ti2CdC, Ti2SbP, and inexpensive MX-enes from waste material
Co-op | Carpenter Technology Corp.
Alloy Research & Development Reading, PA | Mar 2011 - Oct 2011
Project Lead – Developed a time, temperature, transformation (TTT) diagram for PremoMet and Temper-Tough Alloys
Project Lead – Created a spheroidal anneal heat treatment for PremoMet and Temper-Tough Alloys that is offered as an available sale condition for these alloys
Performed crack growth (da/dn) and fracture toughness studies for PremoMet and Temper-Tough Alloys
Executed failure analysis and microscopy to rate grain scale of multiple alloys
Prepared findings in presentation format for weekly team meetings
Researcher / STAR Scholar | Drexel University
MAX Phase Research Group Advisor: Dr. M.W. Barsoum Philadelphia, PA | Mar 2010 - Mar 2011
Planned experimental program implementing new methods to study Ga equilibrium intergranular films
Prepared samples in crucibles; programmed and performed diffential scanning callorimetry (DSC)
Observed samples with XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Presented findings through written report and scientific poster presentation to Drexel University faculty
Publications
W.A. Hanson, A.B. Robinson, N.J. Lybeck, J.W. Nielsen, L.M. Jamison, G.L. Hofman, B. Ye, A. Leenaers, B. Stepnik, I.Y. Glagolenko. “Non-destructive fuel swelling analysis of the EMPIrE fuel test.” Manuscript in Progress - Target Journal: Journal of Nuclear Materials (2021)
W.A. Hanson, F. Cappia, J. White, K.J. McClellan, J.M. Harp. “Post-irradiation examination of low burnup U3Si5 and UN-U3Si5 composite fuels.” Manuscript in Progress - Target Journal: Journal of Nuclear Materials (2021)
P.L. Winston, K.M. Wheeler, G. Housley, S.A. Warmann, Z. Birri, S. Marschmann, J. Giglio, C. Knight, W.A. Hanson. “Upgraded in-cell visual inspection capability in the Hot Fuel Examination Facility.” Manuscript in Progress - Target Journal: Nuclear Engineering and Technology (2021)
A. Robinson, W. Williams, W. Hanson, B. Rabin, N. Lybeck, M. Meyer. “Swelling of U-Mo monolithic fuel: Developing a predictive swelling correlation under research reactor conditions.” Journal of Nuclear Materials 544 (2020) 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152703
G. Hofman, L. Jamison, B. YE, Z.-G. Mei, A. Yacout, A. Robinson, W. Hanson, J. Nielsen, D. Keiser, A. Leenaers. “Analysis of preliminary PIE results for PVD coated U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates irradiated in the EMPIrE experiment.” RRFM-2020 Conference Proceeding - Fuel Cycle from Front End to Back End (2020) 27-31
W.A. Hanson, M.K. Patel, M.L. Crespillo, F. Zhang, S.J. Zinkle, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. “Ionizing vs collisional radiation damage in materials: Separated, competing, and synergistic effects in Ti3SiC2.” Acta Materialia 173 (2019) 195-205 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2019.05.015
W.A. Hanson, M.K. Patel, M.L. Crespillo, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. “Influence of electronic vs nuclear energy loss in radiation damage of Ti3SiC2.” Acta Materialia 161 (2018) 302-310 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2018.09.027
R. Coward, C.R. Winkler, W.A. Hanson, M.L. Jablonski, and M.L. Taheri. “TEM Investigation of Ag Ion Implanted ß-SiC.” Journal of Nuclear Materials 457 (2015) 298-303 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2014.11.116
Conference Presentations
“Effects of different variables on non-destructive characterization of local fuel swelling in the EMPIrE tests.” Oral Presentation. W.A. Hanson, A.B. Robinson, N.J. Lybeck, J.W. Nielsen, I.Y. Glagolenko. The Nuclear Materials Conference NuMat2020 | Virtual, Online | Oct 2020
“Influence of Electronic Stopping Threshold on Damage Evolution in Ti3SiC2 Irradiated with 9 MeV Ti ions.” Poster Presentation. W.A. Hanson, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. The Nuclear Materials Conference NuMat2018 | Seattle, WA | Oct 2018
“Effects of Temperature and Electronic Energy Loss on the Irradiation Response of Ti3SiC2 to Self-Ions.” Oral Presentation. W.A. Hanson, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. International Conference on Ion Beam Modification of Materials IBMM2018 | San Antonio, TX | Jun 2018
“Irradiaion Temperature Influence on Nanolayered Response in Select MAX Phase Ceamics to High Fluence Self-ion Irradiation.” Oral Presentation. W.A. Hanson, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Annual Conference TMS2018 | Phoenix, AZ | Mar 2018
“Structural Characterization of Nanolayered Response in Select MAX Phase Ceramics to High Fluence Self-ion Irradiation.” Oral Presentation. W.A. Hanson, Y. Zhang, W.J. Weber. Materials Science and Technology Annual Conference MS&T2017 | Pittsburgh, PA | Oct 2017
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant | The University of Tennessee, Materials Science and Engineering Department
Principles of Materials Laboratory I & II Instructor: Chris Wetteland Laboratory Course | Jan 2017 - May 2018
Assisted in developing lab curricula and ran labs and demonstrations
Developed quizzes and rubrics for assignments
Graded quizzes, abstracts, reports, and oral and poster presentations
X-ray Diffraction Instructor: Dr. Claudia J. Rawn Lecture and Laboratory Course | Aug 2015 - Dec 2015
Guest lecturer: grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD) special topic
Assisted in developing lab curricula and ran labs and demonstrations
Developed rubrics for and graded lab reports
Contact
Please feel free to contact me with questions through any of the platforms embeded in the links below:
