Education

Research Description

Dr. Hawari's work covers various areas that are important for the design of Advanced Nuclear Reactors, including thermal neutron scattering cross sections data generation, computational and experimental investigation of accident tolerant fuel, and the development of modern computational methods to support analysis of transient fuel testing experiments.

Publications

Benchmark of Neutron Thermalization in Graphite Using a Pulsed Slowing-Down-Time Experiment

Lee, E., Fleming, N. C., & Hawari, A. I. (2023, February 26), NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2022.2162789

Challenge for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics LWR modeling and simulation: Development of new experiments in research reactors

Vaglio-Gaudard, C., Destouches, C., Hawari, A., Avramova, M., Ivanov, K., Valentine, T., … Hudelot, J.-P. (2023), FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2023.1110979

FLASSH 1.0: Thermal Scattering Law Evaluation and Cross-Section Generation for Reactor Physics Applications

Fleming, N. C., Manring, C. A., Laramee, B. K., Crozier, J. P. W., Lee, E., & Hawari, A. I. (2023, April 21), NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2023.2194195

High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Pebble Bed Reactor Fuel Using Adaptive Digital Pulse Processing

Saxena, S., & Hawari, A. I. (2023, February 3), NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2022.2148839

Modeling fission spikes in nuclear fuel using a multigroup model of electronic energy transport

Wormald, J. L., & Hawari, A. I. (2022), JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS, 566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2022.153797

The Effect of Fluorinated Solvents on the Physicochemical Properties, Ionic Association, and Free Volume of a Prototypical Solvate Ionic Liquid

Burba, C. M., Feightner, K., Liu, M., & Hawari, A. (2022, January 21), CHEMPHYSCHEM. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202100548

Characterization and Implementation of A Dynamic Neutron Imaging System at the PULSTAR Reactor

Datta, A., & Hawari, A. I. (2021, September 8), JOURNAL OF SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS FOR SIGNAL IMAGE AND VIDEO TECHNOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11265-021-01694-8

Out-of-pile and postirradiated examination of lanthanide and lanthanide-palladium interactions for metallic fuel

Benson, M. T., Harp, J. M., Xie, Y., Yao, T., Tolman, K. R., Wright, K. E., … Cai, Q. (2021), JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS, 544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152727

Impact of magnetic structure and thermal effects on vibrational excitations and neutron scattering in uranium mononitride

Wormald, J. L., Hawari, A., & Zerkle, M. L. (2020), ANNALS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY, 143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2020.107447

Material defect study of thallium lead iodide (TlPbI3) crystals for radiation detector applications

Yang, G., Phan, Q. V., Liu, M., Hawari, A., & Kim, H. (2020), Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 954, 161516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2018.10.194

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Law Evaluations

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/21 - 9/30/23)

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Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Law Evaluations

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/21

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

This project will focus on the TSL evaluation for the materials listed in RFP. The evaluated TSLs will be contributed to NNDC.

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Enhanced Safety, Operations, and Utilization Infrastructure at the NCSU PULSTAR Reactor

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/22 - 9/30/23)

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Enhanced Safety, Operations, and Utilization Infrastructure at the NCSU PULSTAR Reactor

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/22

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

The Nuclear Reactor Program (NRP) at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is a Board of Governors Center of the University of North Carolina System. The NRP operates the PUSLTAR nuclear research reactor, which currently has a maximum power of 1-MWth. In 2022, the PULSTAR is expected to operate at an upgraded power of 2-MWth. This increase in power will allow the PULSTAR to have enhanced utilization in areas such as neutron science, and isotope production for medical and industrial application. Furthermore, the power upgrade will provide enhanced radiation intensities to all current PULSTAR facilities including the neutron imaging facility, the neutron powder diffraction facility, the intense positron beam facility, the nuclear fuel testing loop, the ultracold neutron source, the hot cell facility, and the neutron activation analysis and irradiation testing facilities (see Fig. 1). These PULSTAR capabilities were developed over the past 20 years and have resulted in an increase in utilization and annual expenditures nearing an order of magnitude relative to year 2000. Consequently, the PULSTAR represents one of the most utilized university reactors globally.

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TSA: Understanding irradiation behavior of ultrawide bandgap Ga2O3 high temperature sensor materials for advanced nuclear reactor systems

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(4/01/22 - 9/30/24)

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TSA: Understanding irradiation behavior of ultrawide bandgap Ga2O3 high temperature sensor materials for advanced nuclear reactor systems

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 4/01/22

End Date: 9/30/24

Abstract

Facility support of the proposal for NSUF CINR project #21-24020, “Understanding irradiation behavior of ultrawide bandgap Ga2O3 high temperature sensor materials for advanced nuclear reactor systems”, c/o PI Dr. Ge Yang, North Carolina State University.

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Understanding irradiation behaviors of ultrawide bandgap Ga2O3 high temperature sensor materials for advanced nuclear reactor systems

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/21 - 9/30/24)

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Understanding irradiation behaviors of ultrawide bandgap Ga2O3 high temperature sensor materials for advanced nuclear reactor systems

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/21

End Date: 9/30/24

Abstract

In this project, we propose to conduct a series of irradiation experiments on Ga2O3 at targeted temperatures and perform systematic post irradiation examination to understand Ga2O3’s irradiation behaviors in high temperature and strong radiation environment, thus providing decisive information regarding their potential for reactor instrumentation and fuel cycle applications.

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Elemental Analysis By Neutron Activation Analysis Of Metals And Metalloids for US EPA.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)(1/01/20 - 12/31/21)

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Elemental Analysis By Neutron Activation Analysis Of Metals And Metalloids for US EPA.

Sponsor: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Start Date: 1/01/20

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

The US EPA is charged with the responsibility of setting standards for the exposure to arsenic from several environmental media. For example, a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) standard for arsenic in drinking water is set at 10 µg of arsenic per liter. Besides drinking water, arsenic in soil may be a source of exposure to arsenic, particularly in children who display high levels of hand-to- mouth activity that may result of ingestion of soil. Because arsenic in soil may exist in diverse chemical species, its bioavailability in different soils may differ greatly. As a component of a laboratory-based project assessing the bioavailability of arsenic in soil, EPA requires neutron activation analysis services for soils and other environmental samples and for biological samples.

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Instrumentation for Enhanced Safety, Utilization, and Operations Infrastructure at the NCSU PULSTAR Reactor

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/21 - 9/30/23)

×

Instrumentation for Enhanced Safety, Utilization, and Operations Infrastructure at the NCSU PULSTAR Reactor

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/21

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

The Nuclear Reactor Program (NRP) at North Carolina State University (NCSU) is a Board of Governors Center of the University of North Carolina System. The NRP operates the PUSLTAR nuclear research reactor, which currently has a maximum power of 1-MWth. In 2021, the PULSTAR is expected to operate at an upgraded power of 2-MWth. This increase in power will allow the PULSTAR to have enhanced utilization in areas such as neutron science, and isotope production for medical and industrial application. Furthermore, the power upgrade will provide enhanced radiation intensities to all current PULSTAR facilities including the neutron imaging facility, the neutron powder diffraction facility, the intense positron beam facility, the nuclear fuel testing loop, the ultracold neutron source, and the neutron activation analysis and irradiation testing facilities. These PULSTAR capabilities were developed over the past 20 years and have resulted in a remarkable increase in utilization and annual expenditures nearing an order of magnitude relative to year 2000 performance. Consequently, the PULSTAR represents one of the most utilized university reactors globally.

Close

NNCI: North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN)

National Science Foundation (NSF)(9/01/20 - 8/31/25)

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NNCI: North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN)

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 9/01/20

End Date: 8/31/25

Abstract

The RTNN is a consortium of three North Carolina (NC) institutions and is a site in the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) network. NC State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill are all located in close geographical proximity within North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The RTNN currently offers fabrication and characterization services and education to a diverse range of users from colleges, universities, industry, non-profits, and individuals. The RTNN brings specialized technical expertise and facilities to the National NNCI in areas that include wide bandgap semiconductors, soft materials (animal, vegetative, textile, polymer), functional nanomaterials, in situ nanomaterials characterization and environmental impact, nanofluidics, heterogeneous integration, photovoltaics, and positron annihilation spectroscopy. The RTNN strengthens the National NNCI in the areas of social and ethical implications of nanotechnology, environmental impacts of nanotechnology, and education/workforce development through interaction with industry and community colleges in the Research Triangle. All facilities engaged in this consortium have established track records of facilitating industrial research and technology transfer, strengths that further leverage the proposed site within the Research Triangle.

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Implementation of Infrastructure for Molten Salt Reactor Development at the PULSTAR Reactor

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/20 - 9/30/23)

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Implementation of Infrastructure for Molten Salt Reactor Development at the PULSTAR Reactor

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/20

End Date: 9/30/23

Abstract

This project aims to establish infrastructure at the PULSTAR reactor to support materials testing for the development of the MSR.

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Development and Evaluation of Neutron Thermalization Integral Benchmarks for Advanced Reactor Applications

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/19 - 9/30/22)

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Development and Evaluation of Neutron Thermalization Integral Benchmarks for Advanced Reactor Applications

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/19

End Date: 9/30/22

Abstract

Benchmark analysis of the thermal scattering law analysis will be performed in this work for selected materials important to advanced reactors.

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TSA: Neutron Activation of Holmium-166 to Support the Development of Radioactive Bandages for the Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer; Binghamton University

Binghamton University, State University of New York(7/15/19 - 7/14/20)

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TSA: Neutron Activation of Holmium-166 to Support the Development of Radioactive Bandages for the Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer; Binghamton University

Sponsor: Binghamton University, State University of New York

Start Date: 7/15/19

End Date: 7/14/20

Abstract

The Nuclear Reactor Program at North Carolina State University will provide neutron-activation in support of the development of radioactive bandages for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer. Holmium-166 (166Ho) based radioactive bandages provide a convenient and cost-effective way to treat localized skin cancer in patients, as compared to surgical interventions, external beam radiation therapy and electronic brachytherapy. The bandages can be cut into desired sizes or standard pre-determined sizes and made radioactive by neutron-activation of Ho to 166Ho. The radioactive bandages can then be applied to the skin cancer lesions for treatment. The initial scope will be for 24 irradiations of 2 sample containers per irradiation to support optimization testing and pre-clinical trials.

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