Student completes prestigious research program

Over the summer, materials science and engineering doctoral student Rajib Halder participated in the Neutron Scattering Graduate Research Program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN. The program offers graduate students the opportunity to work on collaborative research projects alongside scientific experts at two of the Department of Energy’s world-leading neutron sources, the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).  Having no electrical charge, neutrons can easily and safely pass through a sample, and can therefore reveal information about a material’s structure and properties.

Halder had previously studied additively manufactured samples of Ti-6Al-4V, an alpha-beta titanium alloy with a high specific strength and excellent corrosion resistance, using neutron diffraction at ORNL, which inspired him to apply for the program. 

“I am eager to advance materials science, particularly in additive manufacturing and materials characterization,” he notes. “ORNL’s world-class facilities and commitment to innovation align perfectly with my research interests and career aspirations.”

Having previous experience in industry from working as a Materials Research & Development Engineer at Michelin, Halder has employed the collaboration and project management skills that he developed in that role to advance his research projects with a solutions-driven mindset, focusing on both efficiency and innovation. 

“I approach problems with a practical perspective, aiming for outcomes that not only advance knowledge, but also have potential applications,” Halder says. 

Interacting with scientists at the lab allowed Halder to learn about their research areas and build important professional connections. Throughout the program, he was paired with a mentor, who he met with regularly to discuss their study plan and research progress. The exposure to cutting-edge research projects and advanced characterization techniques was invaluable to Halder.

The hands-on experience at ORNL allowed me to refine my data analysis skills and see firsthand how interdisciplinary collaboration drives impactful research.

Rajib Halder, MSE Doctoral Candidate

 “I gained hands-on experience in synchrotron X-ray data analysis using pyFAI and LIPRAS tools, which significantly contributed to my research,” Halder notes. 

While neutron scattering is used to address scientific challenges across many industries, Halder’s research is focused on investigating residual stress in engineering materials produced using the laser hot wire direct energy deposition (DED) process. High residual stress can lead to issues such as warping, bending, or cracking of the fabricated part or reduced fatigue life. 

“My goal is to utilize HIDRA (High-Intensity Diffractometer for Residual Stress Analysis) and VULCAN beamlines to study how DED process parameters and resulting microstructures influence residual stress development in as-deposited Ti-6Al-4V materials,” said Halder. 

As Halder continues to advance his research alongside Professor Anthony Rollett, he is eager to implement the tools and insights gained through the internship program.  

“The hands-on experience at ORNL allowed me to refine my data analysis skills and see firsthand how interdisciplinary collaboration drives impactful research.”