Distinguished Lecture in Materials

The Impact of Radiation Damage on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Single and Polycrystalline High Entropy Alloys

Featuring Łukasz Kurpaska | Research Group Leader at the NOMATEN Center of Excellence and Head of Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) in the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ)

Host: Surya Kalidindi, ME

Abstract: High entropy alloys (HEAs) typically comprise five or more multiple principal components. These materials have generated considerable interest in the materials science community in the past 20 years. This is due to their multifunctional properties like high radiation tolerance, elevated mechanical properties (especially at high temperatures), or corrosion resistance. These properties are derived from the complex combinations of compositional elements building the structure of these alloys. For example, one of the most extensively investigated face-centered-cubic (fcc) structured HEAs, equiatomic NiCoFeCrMn, displays excellent strength-ductility trade-off due to the unusual behavior in twining and stacking fault at ambient and cryogenic temperatures. Another very advantageous feature of this alloy is its superior radiation tolerance. Although a significant amount of work has been done, the mechanisms responsible for these properties are not fully understood. In my talk, I will present the evolution of the chemical complexity of single and polycrystalline HEA. I will try prove that by connecting chemical and microstructural evolution to mechanical properties, we can better understand the mechanisms responsible for the resistance of these alloys. At NCBJ, we are also building competencies in alloy manufacturing. These will also will be presented. 

Biograpy: Kurpaska is a Research Group Leader at the NOMATEN Center of Excellence and a Head of Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) in the National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ). He studied at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow, Poland. In 2012, he received a Ph.D. at the University of Technology of Compiegne, France. In 2019 he obtained the title of doctor habilitus (D.Sc.) in material engineering and a professor's position at NCBJ.

In his works, he mainly dealt with the structural and mechanical properties of ion-modified materials and the effect of high-temperature corrosion. He published over 50 journal papers. He has been a director and manager of several projects funded by polish agencies and the European Commission. He received prestigious scholarships from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2017, French Embassy in Poland in 2014 and 2016, and the Fulbright Commission in the frame STEM Impact Award. He actively works in the EERA JPNM (European Energy Research Alliance Joint Programme on Nuclear Materials) platform.