Jaewoo Park

Background

About Jaewoo Park

My research focus at Virginia Tech has been on properties of molten salts, materials degradation in molten salt, and material characterization. During my doctoral studies, I designed and developed experimental setups to study behaviors of molten salt at extreme conditions (high temperatures and pressures) in an inert environment. I have built various high-temperature systems to measure the density of U or Th-bearing molten salt, to study flow-induced corrosion of alloys by U-bearing molten salt, and to purify fluoride salts. In addition, I have developed a high-pressure system to study the infiltration of fuel salts into graphite. Through my doctoral research, I frequently collaborated with various international companies to ensure that my research is up to date with the industry’s practices and new developments in the field of molten salts. Furthermore, I have gained extensive experience in material characterization, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, I am the lab manager in which I oversee the overall daily operations of the lab, conduct training for students, manage equipment maintenance, and compliance to safety rules and standards.Prior to my doctoral research, I studied at Imperial College London focusing the thermal stability of Zr-Al-C MAX phase as a coating material on a nuclear fuel cladding material (Zircaloy-4). To study the compatibility between these two materials, thermal properties of the MAX phase including thermal expansion and thermal diffusivity and the tensile residual stress between the MAX phase and Zircaloy-4 were investigated.Beyond my academic career, I also interned and worked at several nuclear regulatory bodies in the world. I worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria as an intern where I developed an online training platform for transport safety of radioactive materials for Member States.I firmly believe that my multifaceted experience makes me a unique asset to any team, in particular to the field of nuclear energy, molten salts, and other material science. I am eager to discuss how my background, skills, and passion can align with the needs of your team. I look forward to the opportunity of contributing to your team's success.