Two students at Boise State University have won awards in the 2020 Innovations in Nuclear Technology Research and Development Awards, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Technology Research and Development.
Ember Sikorski, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering, has been awarded a prize in the Competition for Students at Universities with Less than $600 million in 2018 Research and Development Expenditures category. Her award-winning research paper, “First-principles Comparative Study of UN and Zr Corrosion,” was published in the Journal of Nuclear Materials in June 2019.
Read an interview with Sikorski about her research here.
Kaelee Novich, a doctoral student in materials science and engineering, has been awarded a prize in the undergraduate competition. Her award-winning research paper, “Synthesis of Boron Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Alloys through Mechanical Stir Casting,” was presented at the Boise State University Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Conference in April 2019, while she was an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering.
Read an interview with Novich about her research here.
In order to be successful and retain its leadership role in nuclear technologies, the U.S. must foster creativity and breakthrough achievements to develop tomorrow’s nuclear technologies. The Department of Energy has long recognized that university students are an important source of breakthrough solutions and a key component in meeting its long-term goals. The Innovations in Nuclear Technology Research and Development Awards program was developed for this purpose.
The Innovations in Nuclear Technology Research and Development Awards program is designed to:
- award graduate and undergraduate students for innovative nuclear-technology-relevant research publications,
- demonstrate the Department of Energy’s commitment to higher education in nuclear-technology-relevant disciplines, and
- support communications among university students and Department of Energy representatives.
The program awarded 24 prizes in 2020 for student publications relevant to innovative nuclear technology. In addition to cash awards, award-winning students will have a variety of other opportunities.
For more information on the Innovations in Nuclear Technology R&D Awards program, visit www.nucleartechinnovations.org.