Razieh Larki and Richard Meng, graduate students from the Queen’s nuclear groups, won top honors at the UNENE Annual R&D Workshop 2024 Student Symposium, which took place in Toronto in December 2024.
Larki, a PhD student, won Poster 1st Prize for her presentation on “Pb-induced SCC of Fe- and Ni-based alloys in high temperature caustic environments,” while Meng, a Master’s student, was awarded Best 7-Minute Thesis for his presentation on “Modelling molten salts and other nuclear materials.”
Led by Mark Daymond, a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, the research at Queen’s Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory (RMTL) helps develop strategies to extend the effective lifetime of existing and new nuclear reactors to support the more environmentally friendly energy path that the global community has chosen to tread.
“My research investigation focuses on Pb-SCC susceptibility of Alloys 800, 690 and 600 in high temperature high pressure using static autoclave,” says Larki, who added that the valuable opportunity to network with peers from different universities and engage with industry to talk about their research and future findings was one of the highlights of the UNENE event.
Meng’s Best 7-Minute Thesis presentation on “Modelling molten salts and other nuclear materials” explored a method that can significantly lower the costs associated with preparing such models.
“This year, having a presentation rather than a poster, I was able to see the research of more students and also capture some great moments in photo,” says Meng. “One of the highlights, in my opinion, was the poster session which was far bigger than in prior years and had a greater variety of schools and attendees. Additionally, compared to previous years, the panel-based sessions allowed for more audience participation and a more engaging environment.”
“As evidenced by the larger conference this year, nuclear is indeed growing fast,” he says. “Future work is still essential though, especially when focusing on the younger generation of engineers and researchers who will need to eventually succeed the older generation.”
“Another personal takeaway is the importance of communication and presentation in general. Perceived confidence and momentum are huge components. In believing in one’s own ability, one actively improves it—a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts.”
For event recap and photos of the UNENE Annual R&D Workshop 2024, visit the UNENE website. This article appeared first in its original form on the Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory website.