U . S . N AVA L A C A D E M Y A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N A N D F O U N D AT I O N
I M PA C T R E P O R T
2022–2023
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING 1
2022-2023 IMPACT REPORTS
Nuclear Engineering
SUMMARY The Naval Academy’s Nuclear Engineering program (ENR) takes pride in its ability to prepare future Navy and Marine Corps officers to lead in the operation and maintenance of highly technical engineering systems. Whether in surface ships, submarines, or aircraft squadrons, Naval Academy graduates excel in a variety of career assignments both ashore and at sea. This program is designed so that the knowledge and skills acquired while on the Yard transfer directly to the challenges that officers face in the naval service and civilian life. Thanks to private gifts, the department can enhance these educational experience funds for project materials, conferences, site visits, and collaborative opportunities with professional organizations.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING MAJORS
commissioned service after graduation from the Academy, Bowman Scholars will likely be offered immediate one-year graduate education experiences at the Naval Postgraduate School resulting in a master’s degree in a technical discipline. Thus, the programhasfour components: a research project, summer internship, graduate education, and early selection in the nuclear Navy.
2023: 20 majors (two double in mechanical engineering) 2024: 25 majors (nine double in mechanical engineering) 2025: 19 majors (two double in mechanical engineering, one double in computer engineering) 2026: 22 majors (unknown number double majors)
AWARDS
Six nuclear engineering majors from class of 2024 were selected as upcoming Bowman Scholars: Midshipman Michael Brandt ’24 Midshipman Hunter Davis ’24 Midshipman Karl Florida ’24 Midshipman Thomas Minor ’24 Midshipman Sean Oser ’24 Midshipman Brant Purcell ’24
Ensign Dylan Pattison ’23 was awarded the Captain Fredrick A. Edwards Sr., Class of 1932 Prize, awarded annually to the midshipman with the highest grade point average majoring in nuclear engineering. Three nuclear engineering majors will be attending Naval Post Graduate School: Ensign Gianluca Freschi ’23, USN Ensign Sidney Hall-Smith ’23, USN Ensign Stephen Stokes ’23, USN
BEHRENS FAMILY SCHOLARS Each selected scholar must provide a development plan to include projectbased learning elements such as senior capstone projects and other research projects, internship opportunities and plans, attendance at industry conferences, such as the annual American Nuclear Society Student Conference, and visit plans to nuclear power plants and Navy-relevant laboratories and facilities.
These students were also Bowman Scholars during the 2022-2023 academic year.
BOWMAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM Each year, a small group of Naval Academy midshipmen secondclass (juniors) who are seeking initial service assignments in the nuclear Navy may be offered the opportunity to compete for appointments as Admiral Frank Bowman Scholars. If selected for nuclear power training and subsequently selected as a Bowman Scholar, the scholar will participate in a tailored research internship during one of the summer training blocks preceding first-class year and will participate in a special research-based learning opportunity during their last year as a midshipman. During the first year of
Three midshipmen were selected to become Behrens Scholars: Midshipman Thomas Minor ’24 Midshipman Andrzej Korlacki ’25 Midshipman Kevin Lam ’25 Fall 2022 and spring 2023 American Nuclear Society (ANS) student chapter dinner meetings were afforded to midshipmen thanks to philanthropic support. Roughly 100 midshipmen attend each of these meetings at Buddy’s Restaurant in downtown Annapolis, MD.
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2022-2023 IMPACT REPORTS
Nuclear Engineering
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL–DOE) (Livermore, CA) Multiple projects (physics-sponsored) • Sandia National Laboratory (SNL–DOE) (Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA) Multiple projects (physics-sponsored) • Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL–DOE) (Los Alamos, NM) Multiple projects (physics-sponsored)
RESEARCH PROJECTS
INTERNSHIPS SUMMER 2023
*Nuclear engineering majors and nuclear-related projects, midshipmen
A large percentage of nuclear engineering majors will attend one or more internships during their academic career.
in bold font
In summer 2023, four midshipmen went on internships funded by Nuclear Engineering philanthropy.
S. McHale, M. Millett, M. Prince*, “Impact of the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library on MCNP6.2-computed ambient and personal dose equivalent conversion coefficients,” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Volume 199, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 35–43.
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
NAVAL NUCLEAR POWER RESEARCH AT BETTIS ATOMIC POWER LABORATORY (PITTSBURGH, PA)
E. Getto, R.J. Santucci, Jr., J. Gibbs, R. Link, E. Retzlaff, B. Baker, M. Koul, B. Croom, T. Montalbano, S. Storck, E. Cimpoiasu, E. Farnan*, “Powder Plasma Spheroidization Treatment and the Characterization of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SS 316L Powder and L-PBF Builds” Heliyon 9 (2023) e16583.
Four midshipmen received internship experience focused on advanced nuclear propulsion technology, data analytics, and simulations
OTHER NUCLEAR RELATED INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE/ATTENDED:
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
• Dept of Energy (DoE)—Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) at the Remote Sensing Laboratory of the Nevada National Security Site (Las Vegas, NV) Nuclear instruments and detection
H. Cullinan*, S. Blair, Analysis of Proliferation Resistance of Microreactor Fuels, ANS Student Conference 2023; April 2023, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) and Navy Defense Supercomputing Research Center (DSRC) (Stennis Space Center, MS) Flow phenomena and simulations
W.J. Marshall, A.M. Shaw, T.M. Greene, K.K.C. Florida*, B.L. Purcell*, S. R. Blair, The Case for and Against a Gadolinium Bias in SCALE: Round 2, ICNC 2023—The 12th International Conference on Nuclear Criticality Safety, 1-6 October 2023 in Sendai, Japan (paper accepted) [this paper is a result of work that Midshipman Florida and Midshipman Purcell carried out during their internship at ORNL during the summer of 2022.]
• Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (Monterey, CA) Nuclear-focused studies via a variety of projects (four DTRA-sponsored internships this summer, all at NPS, for: Midshipman Dylan Pattison ’24 (nuclear engineering), Midshipman Nathaniel Erickson ’24 (nuclear engineering), Midshipman Hunter Davis ’25 (nuclear engineering), and Midshipman Hannah Kenis ’25 (mechanical engineering).
S. Hall-Smith*, L. Schoffstall*, P. Joyce, E. Getto “Gamma Irradiation of Injection Molded Polymers,” American Nuclear Society Student Conference 2023, April 2023, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• Naval Surface Warfare Center—Weapon Effects and Analysis Division (Indian Head, MD) Collateral concerns for nuclear weapon effects
E. Getto, M. Koul, T. Gray, J. McLaughin, E. Farnan*, J. Gibbs, R.J. Santucci, Jr “Elucidating the Effect of Build and Build Direction on the Corrosion of Selective Laser
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2022-2023 IMPACT REPORTS
Nuclear Engineering
Mr. Surasak Bandasak ’23 and Ensign Josh Wizgird ’23, USN Development of a Portable Real-Time Radiation Detector and Discriminator
Sintered Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steel,” Environmental Degradation 2022. E. Getto, S. Stokes*, “Hot Gas Corrosion in Coated Single Crystal Ni Alloys;” High Temperature Corrosion Gordon Research Conference, Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, United States, July 2023.
Ensign Sidney Hall-Smith ’23, USN Gamma Irradiation of Injection Molded Polymers Midshipman Brant Purcell ’24 Covert Radiation Anomaly Bomb Sensor System Design and Testing
“MCNP6.2-computed Dose Conversion Coefficients in ICRP 145 Mesh-Type Phantoms from Simulated Nuclear Weapon Spectra,” co-authored by Sean O’Dowd (EM495 student for AY24) was submitted for presentation by Midshipman O’Dowd at the American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting, 12–15 November 2023, in Washington, DC. Accepted papers will be published in Transactions of the American Nuclear Society.
NUCLEAR CAPSTONE PROJECTS 1. COSMIC RADIATION SHIELD FOR MARS HABITAT: Second Lieutenant Payton Douglas ’23, USMC (nuclear engineering), Ensign Ethan Graylin ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Thomas Jochem ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Nicholas Sherer ’23, USN (nuclear engineering)
ANS STUDENT CONFERENCE USNA sent a delegation of 14 midshipmen to the 2023 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference held at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
To sustain human life on Mars and build a permanently inhabited base on the Red Planet, NASA must develop and assemble structures that protect astronauts from substantially high doses of cosmic radiation that are due to the thin atmosphere of the planet and relatively long missions. This project applied the NASA-developed OLTARIS software to analyze the shielding capabilities of several Mars habitat design options and identify an optimal solution.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Ensign Hitoshi Cullinan ’23, USN Best Undergraduate Presentation in the Nonproliferation, Security, and Safeguards track.
OTHER STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS Ensign Hitoshi Cullinan ’23, USN Analysis of Proliferation Resistance of Microreactor Fuels
2. HIGH FLUX REACTOR CORE DESIGN FOR ISOTOPE PRODUCTION: Ensign Benjamin Chi ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Hitoshi Cullinan ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Dylan Pattison ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Harold Schlatter ’23, USN (mechanical engineering)
Ensign Stephen Stokes ’23, USN Filament Extrusion Method for Additively Manufactured Scintillation Detectors
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2022-2023 IMPACT REPORTS
Nuclear Engineering
4. COVERT RADIATION ANOMALY BOMB SENSOR: Second Lieutenant Mary Brackett ’23, USMC (robotics and control engineering), Ensign Doug Gologorsky ’23, USN (mechanical engineering), Ensign Matthew Niichel ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Midshipman Brant Purcell ’24 (nuclear engineering), Ensign Benjamin Werve ’23, USN (mechanical engineering) This project team developed a system to find dirty bombs at a venue. The CRABS team has developed a system of portable and stationary covert radiation sensors to be used in publicly trafficked spaces such as sports venues. This system is capable of directionally identifying radiation sources. The portable device is incorporated in a vest worn under clothing and the stationary device is disguised as a trash can. Both devices work together to allow the identification and localization of illicit radiation sources. Two faculty (McHale, Rodriguez) and nine midshipmen (6 ENR, 2 EME, 1 ERC) from the above two capstone teams participated in the Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Cup, which was hosted at the Pentagon on 19 April 2023 by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The Research Cup invited cadets and midshipmen from three Service Academies (USNA, USMA, and USAFA) to the Pentagon to present their DTRA-sponsored independent research and engineering design capstone projects to DTRA leadership and program managers. Team CRABS won the award for Best Presentation. After the presentations, all attendees participated in a two-hour tour of the Pentagon. The feedback from DTRA leadership Dr. Mike Kuliasha (director, DTRA Nuclear Technologies) and Lieutenant Colonel Nick Duncan (director, DTRA Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Center) was positive for all USNA projects.
NASA has designated Plutonium-238 (Pu-238) as the primary isotope for use in Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), which convert radioactive decay heat to electricity. However, the current capability to produce Pu-238 in the U.S. does not meet the needs of NASA’s RTG program. This project designed a model of a nuclear reactor that modified a current reactor type in order to increase Pu-238 production capability without building new facilities. On 10 November 2022, the HYPR NARP capstone team visited Oak Ridge National Lab. The team traveled primarily to visit the High Flux Isotope Reactor to learn about isotope production. The team met with Captain John Gearhart, USN (Ret.), who is the chief operating officer in the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate at ORNL, to discuss challenges and opportunities related to Pu-238 production.
5. ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED PLASTIC SCINTILLATOR FOR GAMMA/NEUTRON DETECTION: Ensign Olivia Belcher ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Stephen Stokes ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Samuel Voparil ’23, USN (nuclear engineering)
3. RADIATION AND BLAST SHIELDING FOR WINDOWS ON A SHIP’S BRIDGE: Ensign James Cassidy ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Second Lieutenant Nathaniel Erickson ’23, USMC (nuclear engineering), Ensign Gianluca Freschi ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Terry Totta ’23, USN (mechanical engineering)
Additive manufacturing affects a wide range of manufacturing tasks, and the ability to additively manufacture radiation sensors may reduce cost, increase design flexibility, and improve the ability to incorporate radiation detection in other devices. The Nukes of Hazard team is developing and producing filament for fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers that is doped with scintillant, allowing the printing of plastic scintillator materials in any desirable configuration, and with any FDM printer.
If a nuclear conflict involved U.S. Navy assets, surface vessels would be exposed to unique effects from these weapons. While the hull of a ship might survive the radiation, blast, and thermal effects, the windows on the bridge are likely to be vulnerable. This project applied MCNP and SolidWorks software to analyze how geometry and materials in the bridge window of a DDG might respond to a 13-kiloton nuclear detonation.
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2022-2023 IMPACT REPORTS
Nuclear Engineering
6. THE HAB: Ensign David Huizenga ’23, USN (mechanical engineering), Ensign Clifford Vuong ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Ensign Jordan Blair ’23, USN (nuclear engineering), Second Lieutenant Antonio Sanchez IV ’23, USMC (nuclear engineering) The radiation environment on the surface of Mars is more than 50 times that of Earth’s. A Mars mission will require radiation shielding to protect astronauts during a mission. A shield is possible using Martian regolith, or by placing a habitation structure in a Martian cave. The Hab capstone team is designing a habitation structure that will significantly reduce radiation exposure, provide structural support for a contained atmosphere, and support an external regolith load for shielding. The structure includes a geodesic dome with carbon fiber struts and an inner bladder for atmospheric containment. The design minimizes the amount of materials required for transport while providing simple assembly, likely within the capability of robotic tools.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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