R. A. Holt, P. Eng.

Curriculum Vitae | Publications

Professor, Chair - Nuclear Materials

(613) 533-6831
holt@me.queensu.ca


Areas of Interest

  • Nuclear materials/zirconium alloys
  • Crystallographic texture/anisotropy
  • Modelling materials behaviour

Research Group

Associate Chair: Prof. Mark Daymond (begins 2004, July 1)
Research Associate: Pingshun Zhao
Ph.D. Students: Wenjing Li, Feng Xu
M.Sc. Students: Leon Li, Jenieveve Fredette, Damon Pickard
4th Year Student: Bryan Quan

Planned Research

  • Control of microstructure and texture of zirconium alloy tubes.
  • Experimental study of anisotropy and deformation of zirconium alloys.
  • Modelling anisotropy and deformation of zirconium alloys.
  • Effects of deformation characteristics on the development of plastic instability and failure.
  • Mechanical properties of corrosion resistant nickel alloys.
  • Improved X-ray diffraction techniques for the measurement of crystallographic texture and the evaluation of dislocation substructure.
  • Improved techniques for microstructural characterization and quantification by analytical and scanning electron microscopy.
  • Macro- and microscopic stress and strain states of materials using neutron and X-ray diffraction, development during manufacture, evolution during service, effects on in-service performance.
  • Modelling evolution of crystallographic texture during metal forming.
  • Analysis and interpretation of power reactor data.
  • Theory of radiation damage and in-reactor deformation

Funding:

Graduate Student Incentives

The Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Materials has been established at the initiative of the Canadian Nuclear Industry. This is the first in a series of five chairs being established as part of the new Universities' Centre of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE) sponsored by Ontario Power, Bruce Power, COG and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The main thrusts are to supplement the R&D capabilities of AECL and Kinectrics Inc. (formerly Ontario Hydro Research) and to train new highly qualified staff to work in engineering or research and development, both to manage and extend the life of existing plants, and to develop the Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR). In addition to support of graduate students through the R&D budget of the Chair, UNENE offers research scholarships. The Chair program also offers the opportunity for part or all of a student's research to be carried out at the industrial nuclear R&D laboratories, co-supervised by the staff of those laboratories, either during a paid work term, or as a full time employee.

Links

Last updated October 21, 2003