Introduction

I have worked in the area of radiation damage and environmental degradation to materials with specific emphasis in Zr alloys for the last fifteen years. I received a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and a Ph.D.in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. I worked as a research associate for the CEA at the Centre for Nuclear Studies in Grenoble, France for two years and as a post-doctoral fellow for AECL at Chalk River Laboratories, Canada, before joining Penn State in 1992.

Courses Taught

I normally teach a Nuclear Materials senior level course, and a course on Radioactive Waste Disposal, in addition to an introductory course in Nuclear Engineering and a graduate course centered around corrosion in nuclear plants. I also teach a first year seminar, focusing on the environmental impact of energy use and the ethical responsibilities of engineers.

NucE310W: Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

NucE409: Nuclear Materials

NucE428: Radioactive Waste Disposal

NucE523: Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Plants

ENGR097S: E⁴: Engineering, Ethics, Energy and the Environment

Research

Summary of Research Interests

Research programs developed at Penn State include a study of the mechanical behavior of hydrided and irradiated Zircaloy; using synchrotron radiation to study second phase particles and alloying elements in zirconium alloys; the study of the kinetics of phase transformations in metallic multilayers; the study of defects in intermetallic compounds using nuclear spectroscopy techniques in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, and the use of positron annihilation spectroscopy for studying reactor pressure vessel steels. Another project has recently been started that will use advanced techniques to characterize oxides formed in zirconium alloys. The main aim of this research is to use a combination of state of the art characterizations techniques (including transmission electron microscopy, x-ray fluorescence from microbeams in synchrotron radiation, positron annihilation, perturbed angular correlation) and modeling to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the degradation processes that affect materials used in nuclear power reactors. Such knowledge will help predict the behavior of current components and help design better alloys for use in nuclear applications, especially alloys that will operate beyond the limits of current operational experience

Current and Recent Research Projects

Mechanistic Understanding of Failure of Hydrided Zircaloy under Severe Loading Conditions, in collaboration with D.Koss and K.Chan (SwRI) and the CEA, and funded by the Nuclear regulatory Commission (2003-2006).

Advanced Corrosion Resistant Zr Alloys for High Burnup and Generation IV applications, in collaboration with Westinghouse Electric Co. and University of Michigan and KAERI (Republic of Korea), funded by Department of Energy International Nuclear Engineering research Initiative (I-NERI) and Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) (Korea) (2003-2006).

Irradiation Induced Precipitation and Dissolution of Intermetallics in Zr alloys studied using Synchrotron Radiation, funded by DOE-NEER, incollaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, (2001-2004).

The Effect of Hydrides on the Ductility of Zircaloy Cladding under RIA-like Deformation, unded by the FERMI project at Penn Satte, in collaboration with Don Koss, (2003-2005).

Neutron Radiation Resistance of 6H-SiC investigated with in-situ measurements and with positron annihilation spectroscopy, in collaboration with G.Catchen andWestingshouse, and funded by FERMI project, (2001-2003)

1) "Fundamental Mechanisms of Corrosion of Advanced LWR Fuel Cladding Alloys at High Burnup", DOE-NERI (1999-2001), in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory and Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

2) "Mechanical Testing of Neutron-Irradiated Zircaloy", Argonne National Laboratory, (1999-2002), in collaboration with D. Koss , and M.Billone, Energy Technology Division, Argonne National Laboratory.

3) "Study of Alloying Elements and Second Phase Particles in Zr Alloys using the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory", funded by DOE-NEER, (1999-2001), in collaboration with the Materials Science Division and Advanced Photon Source, at Argonne National Laboratory.

4) “Grain Growth in Metallic Multilayers under Irradiation” funded by CNPq and NSF in collaboration with Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and Prof. Andrea Paesano, University Estadual de Maringá, Brazil and with Dr. R.C. Birtcher of the Materials Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory.

5) “Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy Study of Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels” in collaboration with G. Catchen, and Gerhard Brauer, Rossendorf, Germany, funded by FERMI program.

6) "Core Shroud Cracking in BWR under irradiation", funded by FERMI Group (1995-1999).

7) “Point Defects in Intermetallic Compounds in the ZrFe-M system”, funded by NSF (1996-2000), in collaboration with G. Catchen, Nghi Lam of Argonne National Laboratory and Livio Amaral, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil.

8) “Phase Formation in Metallic Multilayers, under in-situ ion irradiation”, funded by NSF and CNPq, in collaboration with R.C.Birtcher, Argonne National Laboratory, Andrea Paeasano, University Estadual de Maringá, Brazil and Livio Amaral, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil.

9) “Bubble Formation in Zr alloys under in-situ ion irradiation”, in collaboration with R.C.Birtcher, and funded by Brazilian Government, and Argonne.

10) “Slow-Strain Rate Testing of Ni-based Alloys X-750 and 625”, in collaboration with Don Koss, (Materials Science, Penn State) and funded by MEA.

Recent Publications

Yilmazbayhan*, A., Motta A.T., Comstock, R.J., Sabol, G.P., Lai, B., and Cai, Z , “Structure of Zirconium Alloy Oxides formed in pure water studied with Synchrotron radiation and optical microscopy: relation to corrosion rate”, Journal of Nuclear Materials 324 (2004) 6-22. See article in pdf format

Cumblidge*, S .E., A. T. Motta, G. L. Catchen, J. Boehmert and G. Brauer , “Evidence for Irradiation-Induced Metallic Precipitates in Neutron Irradiated Model Alloys and Pressure Vessel Weld Steel”, Journal of Nuclear Materials, 320 (2003), 245-257. . See article in pdf format

Pierron, O. N*. , D. A. Koss, A. T. Motta and K. S. Chan, “The influence of hydride blisters on the fracture of Zircaloy-4,” Journal of Nuclear Materials, 322 (2003), 21-35.See article in pdf format

Daum*, R. S., S. Majumdar, M. C. Billone, D. W. Bates*, D. A. Koss and A. T. Motta, “On the Embrittlement of Zircaloy-4 under RIA Relevant Conditions” 13th International Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry, ASTM Special Technical Publication STP 1423, (2002) pages 696-713

Poynor, N., S. E. Cumblidge*, R. L. Rasera, G. L. Catchen and A. T. Motta Hyperfine Interactions of ¹⁸¹Ta in Zr₂Ni Observed Using PAC Spectroscopy, Hyperfine Interactions, 136(3) (2003) pp. 549-553

Motta, A. T., K. T. Erwin*, O. Delaire*, R. C. Birtcher, Y. Chu, J. Maser, D. Mancini and B. Lai Synchrotron Radiation Study of Second Phase Particles and Alloying Elements in Zircaloy-4, 13th International Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry, ASTM Special Technical Publication, STP 1423, (2002), pp. 59-76.

Motta, A. T., R. A. Holt and U. Colak, Irradiation Growth in Zirconium at Low Temperatures by Direct Athermal Deposition of Vacancies at Fixed Sinks, 11th International Symposium on Reactor Dosimetry, Belgium, ASTM Special Technical Publication (2003)

Pierron*, O.N., Koss, D.A., Motta, A.T., Daum*, R.S., Chan K.S, Failure of Zircaloy-4 Sheet Containing Hydride Blisters, Proceedings of the Nuclear Safety Research Conference, November 2002

A.T.Motta, L.M.Howe, and P.R.Okamoto, “Amorphization of Zr₃Fe under Electron Irradiation”, Journal of Nuclear Materials, vol. 270 (1999), 174.

A.T.Motta, S.E.Cumblidge, G.L.Catchen, R.L.Rasera, A.Paesano, Jr., and L.Amaral, “Defects and Magnetic Hyperfine Fields in ZrFe₂ Studied Using Perturbed Angular Correlation Spectroscopy”, Physical Review B, 1999, 60 (2), 1188-1196.

A.T.Motta, A.Paesano, Jr., R.C.Birtcher, M.E.Bruckmann, S.R.Teixeira and L.Amaral, “Phase Formation in Zr-Fe Multilayers: Effect of Irradiation", Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 85 (10), May 15 1999, 7146 .

T.M.Link, D.A.Koss, A.T.Motta, “Failure of Zircaloy Cladding Under Severe Loading Conditions,” Nuclear Engineering and Design, 186 (1998) 379-394.

W. Weber, R.C. Ewing, C.R.A. Catlow, T. Diaz de la Rubia, L.W. Hobbs, C. Kinoshita, Hj. Matzke, A.T. Motta, M. Nastasi, E.H.K. Salje, E.R. Vance, S.J. Zinkle, “Radiation Effects in Crystalline Ceramics Relevant to Waste Disposal,” Journal of Materials Research, vol. 13 (6), (1998) 1434-1484.

A.T. Motta, A. Paesano, Jr., R.C. Birtcher, E.A. Ryan, M. Bruckmann, S.R. Teixeira, and L. Amaral, “Phase Formation in Zr/Fe Multilayers During Kr Ion Irradiation”, Proceedings of the Materials Research Society Fall Meeting, Symposium on “Phase Transformations and Systems Driven Far from Equilibrium,” 481 (1998) 377-382.

Link, T.M., A.T. Motta and D.A. Koss, “Influence of Hydrogen and Strain Rate on the Transverse Plane Strain Ductility of Zircaloy Cladding”, Proceedings of the 25^th Water Reactor Safety Meeting, NRC, Washington, D.C., April 1998, NUREG-CP-0162, vol.2, pages 151-166.

Professional Activities

Member of Board of Materials Science and Technology Division of American Nuclear Society 2004-present.

Editorial Board of Journal of ASTM International, 2004-present

Visiting Scientist, CEA-Saclay, Service de Recherches de Metallurgie Physique, Paris, France, Spring 2003.

Editorial Board Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2001-present

Member of NRC Expert Panel on High Burn-up Fuel Phenomena Identification, 1999.

Member of Organizing committee for the COSIRES 2000 (Computer Simulation of Radiation Effects) Conference, Penn State , July 2000.

Guest Editor of Journal of Nuclear Materials special issue in honor of Prof. Donald R. Olander, vol. 270, no. 1 and 2, April 1999 (foreword).

Member of DOE Council of Materials Science Expert Panel on “Research Needs for Radiation Effects on Ceramic Waste Forms Relevant for Waste Disposal," 1997.

Member of ASTM B-10 Committee on Refractory and Reactive Metals (1996-1997)

Member of Nuclear Proposal Review Panel, for the Amarillo National Resource Center for Plutonium, Amarillo, Texas, June 1995.

Member of External Advisory Committee for purchase of Intermediate Voltage Microscope/Ion Beam Machine at Argonne National Laboratory, 1993.

Member of the Organizing Committee, European Workshop on Ordering and Disordering, Grenoble, France, July 1991.

Organizer, Nuclear Engineering Seminar Series at the CENG, France, on the diverse aspects of research at the Service for Fuel Behavior Studies, 1990.

Member of CNPq (Brazilian National Research Council) Commission to evaluate the status of Nuclear Engineering research and training in Brazil - report "Evaluation and Perspectives in Nuclear Engineering" - 1982.

Other Educational Activities at Penn State

Member of Faculty Advisory Board for the Leonhard Center for Enhancement of Engineering Education, 1998-present

Engineering Faculty Council, immediate past chair, 1999-2000.

Faculty Associate for the Engineering and Applied Science Interest House (EASI House), Penn State 1995-present

College of Engineering Faculty Advisor to the Society of Women Engineers Penn State Chapter 2002-2005

Member of Women in Engineering Advisory Board, 2001-present.

Honors and Awards

Materials Institute Award for Best M.Sc. Thesis at Penn State, 2002 2003, O.N.Pierron, Influence of Hydride Blisters on Failure of Zircaloy-4 Sheet (co-advised with D.Koss).

Penn State Engineering Society Outstanding Advising Award, 2001.

Xerox Award for best M.Sc. Thesis in Materials at Penn State, 1998-1999, D.W. Bates for thesis “Influence of Stress State and Hydrogen on Deformation and Failure of Zircaloy 4" (co-advised by Don Koss).

Xerox Award for best M.Sc. Thesis in Materials at Penn State, 1997-98, T.M. Link for thesis “Failure of Zircaloy Cladding Under Severe Loading Conditions” (co-advised by Don Koss).

Department Head’s Outstanding Faculty Award, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, 1998-1999.

Honorable Mention, for poster “Calculation of Defect Energetics in Zr₂Ni and ZrNi Intermetallic compounds using Molecular Dynamics”, by C.S. Moura at Penn State Graduate Research Exhibition, March 1999.

John Schemel Best Paper Award, 10th ASTM International Symposium on Zirconium in the Nuclear Industry, Baltimore, 1993, for paper titled, "Oxidation of Intermetallic Precipitates in Zircaloy-4: Impact of Irradiation".

Visiting Professorship, at the Materials Department of the Institute for Nuclear and Energy Research, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, July 1994. Pictures with the class., outside

Visiting Professorship at Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd., Chalk River Laboratories, Canada, 1993 and 1994.

Membership in Professional Societies

American Nuclear Society, ANS - Materials and Radioactive Waste Division

American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM

Sociedade Brasileira de Fisica (Brazilian Physical Society) SBF