Brian Carpman wins second place at Molten Salt Reactor Workshop
The NERS graduate student was awarded for his research on ultra-high temperature ceramics.
Brian Carpman, a graduate student in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS), won 2nd place in the poster competition at the Molten Salt Reactor Workshop last month. His research, advised by Professor Stephen Raiman, explores the corrosion resistance of ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) in molten chloride salts—an area with implications for renewable energy systems and advanced nuclear reactors.
Carpman’s award-winning poster focused on improving materials for high-temperature energy storage systems like concentrated solar power (CSP) plants and molten salt reactors (MSRs). These systems not only generate power but also store energy for later use, a critical capability as the global energy grid transitions to renewable sources. His findings revealed that UHTCs outperform current metal alloys in these applications, with salt purity emerging as a key factor for optimizing material performance.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Carpman shared, “As we shift to renewables, we need the ability to store energy, and concentrated solar power allows for power production and storage. This work sought to make these plants more efficient.”
The competition provided an opportunity to share his work with experts from diverse disciplines. “It was a good time, lots of high-quality posters,” said Carpman. “I got a multitude of questions from judges and attendees, many of whom were interested because this topic was underexplored”
When asked what distinguished his poster, Carpman pointed to the novelty of the topic, the clarity and flow of his presentation, and his confidence in discussing two years of focused research. “The ceramics tested all outperformed the current metal alloys used in these systems,” he said, “and the most important variable was salt purity.”
Carpman’s research was funded through the DOE’s Solar Energy and Technology Office (SETO), and the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), illustrating the applicability to both solar energy systems and molten salt reactors. His findings suggest UHTCs could serve as coatings or structural materials in high-temperature molten salt systems, offering improved efficiencies and reduced maintenance costs.
Winning second place was both a surprise and a milestone. “To be honest, it felt surprising,” he admitted. “There were many excellent posters, but I’m happy to have brought Michigan to the podium.”
This recognition marks an important step in Carpman’s academic journey, offering motivation for his next project on hot isostatic pressing of materials for salt systems. He also plans to publish a paper summarizing the findings from his award-winning research.
Carpman expressed gratitude to Raiman for giving him the freedom to explore this project and leverage new research capabilities. As he looks ahead, this accolade fuels his enthusiasm for tackling future challenges in the field of advanced materials for extreme environments.
“Brian is an exceptional researcher with a mature approach, and a thirst for knowledge,” said Raiman. “He has a successful career ahead of him”