Congratulations to Dr. Alexander Bataller, assistant professor of nuclear engineering at NC State University, on receiving the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award. Dr. Bataller was one of thirty-five recipients to receive this award from Oak Ridge Association Universities (ORAU). Of important note, Alex was one of 167 applicants to have been nominated by their university for competing in the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.
Bataller’s proposal entitled “Fluid Measurements of Molten Salts using Nonlinear Fluid Dynamics” is an early-stage research effort that will utilize the highly nonlinear motion of laser induced cavitation for measuring several molten salt fluid properties. His research group studies the fundamental properties of dense plasma and how materials evolve when exposed to the extreme environments found in current and next-generation nuclear reactors. Alex specializes in ultrafast laser and emission spectroscopy and is developing new experimental capabilities for studying molten salts for advanced nuclear power applications.
The Powe Award is given as public recognition for the quality and promise of research. Projects must fall within one of these five disciplines – engineering & applied science; life sciences; mathematics/computer sciences; physical sciences; or policy, management, and education.
Its financial amount will be matched by NC State University. For more than 70 years ORAU has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy and other government agencies to advance national priorities in science, education, workforce development, public health, and worker health and safety.